Elantra steering wheel wobble/vibration

I agree mike i've almost fallen into that trap but as you say how many times can you check the same thing. I know balancing and alignments are renounded for being "easy money". I'll definetly be getting the rims checked by someone who can actually measure them correctly.

If the strut bearings were loose, you'd hear a loud clunking sound on bumpy roads.

The key is to run more pressure on the end that supports the most weight, the front.

It was just a suggestion in case you were interested in improving the overall handling feel of the car.

You know it. I've used the guy for years and, if I had a functioning brain, I would have waited until the car was out of the dealer and had him mount the tires in the first place. The new alloys do look good, though.

It is. I've about had it with the MXV4s on my '03 Sonata. I may try a set of Kumho KH16s although the reviews on the Yokohama Avid series look pretty good, too.

My girlfriends 95 Elantra 151K miles has a slight vibration too. IT started when I rotated the tires. Had them rebalanced which helped but still vibrates some I'm almost sure it is a tire problem. Going to unrotate them when I have a chance see what happens

I'd check for tread separation. I've had tire guys miss small bulges before when I've complained of vibration.

Unluckily theres nothing you can do with separation except replace the tire. If the tire is under warranty it should be pro-rated to the mileage or treadwear depending on the warranty policy for that tire maker.

JS

2004 Elantra had freeway speed wobble on hi-speed acceleration and at 65-70 mph; Dealer diagnosed and extended warranty covered axle replacement which cured the problem. Now, three years later, after a hi-speed panic stop with no collision the problem resurfaced; Hi-speed wobble and vibration 65-70 mph which fades out at 80 mph to a very minor steering wheel vibration. I am looking at another axle replacement to what seems like a design flaw since a panic-stop can deform the axle? Hyundai, any comments?

Have you moved the wheels around to new positions? Is it only steering wheel vibration or do you feel the car vibrate?

Front wheel problems often result in steering wheel vibration while rear wheel problems result in a vibrating seat.

You may need a better shop that cancheck all steering components and linkages.

I doubt you're looking at an axle issue.

In the initial iteration, you said the problem happened only on acceleration. This is a characteristic of some CV joint issues.

In this iteration, you simply report a vibration while driving that occurred after a panic stop. It's more likely that if you locked up the tires from high speed, there are now flat spots on the tires causing the vibration.

replying to Brian Nystrom, Paulus wrote: To free a wheel that's stuck on a hub, pour a pot full of boiling water over the middle of the wheel, then just pull it off. Works most of the time.