Before I had my new wheels and tires mounted, my steering wheel would shake at speeds approaching 60. I had an alignment done, tires balanced, the works. I just figured it was a bent wheel.

Now I have brand new wheels and wider tires, freshly aligned and balanced. The car is still doing the same damn thing. Is it a tie rod? A bearing? It only shakes in the front because it transfers through the steering wheel. It is however, damn annoying.


My other issue is squeaking brakes, which is trivial but annoying. They always did it before when rolling from a low speed to a stop. I recently had new rotors put on, and all new Hawk HP pads. They still squeal when I am slowly rolling to a stop, but not when applying moderate to heavy pressure. It's not affecting performance, it is just embarassing to pull in somewhere with your brakes squealing like crazy.

 

Try ball joints for the first problem...

For the second, did you you the anti-squeal stuff on the pads' backing when installing?

 

Those race brake pads were designed to work better than stock pads when they are red hot.
At normal daily driving temps, stock pads do just fine, and they squeal less.

About the wheel shake: Have whoever balanced the wheels recheck them.

 

Were they balanced, both old and new at the same shop? I've seen numerous times that the balancer is out of adjustment. The operator sees where and the amount of weights that should be placed on the wheel, but balancer is giving a false reading. Have them rebalance before removing the weights to see if they were applied properly.
Part 2-Get the anti squeal solution from the parts store and apply to back of pads. The squeal is coming from the pads moving ever so slightly and rubbing against the piston(s) under light brake applications. Under heavy useage, the pressure keeps the pads from moving.

 

These were balanced by a different shop. The previous 2 times I tried with old wheels and tires were 2 different shops as well. Have had no luck with steering wheel shake. I will put that stuff on the pads though.

 

Put some more anti-squeal on the pads (you used it at first, right?) and check your tie rods and bearings, both of which are common wear items. Grab the rim from it's spokes when parked...can you wiggle it back and forth??

 

Yes, hold the wheel at 9 & 3 o'clock and see if any movement when rocking back and forth. The hold at 12 & 6 and give it a try. Do you notice any unusual tire wear?

 

My rear tires wear out on the insides quickly, but that's just the camber in the rear. The fronts are always fine. I'll check for play in the wheel. And no I didn't use anti-squeal first, after looking at Haynes again I noticed that it says to right there.

 

I have a similar problem which I originally thought was an alignment problem. I found out, after doing the above and other things that the tire pressures were off.

I know you probably already checked, but check the tire pressures too...