98 RS wheel wobble(?) at 50mph +

Struts, spring, anti-rollbars, braces and the like.

Moderators: Helpinators, Moderators

Post Reply
SWRT
Third Gear
Posts: 627
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:12 pm
Location: Lakeland, FL

98 RS wheel wobble(?) at 50mph +

Post by SWRT »

Whenever I'm driving 50mph or above the driver side front wheel (at least that feels like where it's coming from) feels like it wants to wobble off. It shakes the steering wheel like crazy.

I was thinking ball joint at first, but I'll probably have to
pull the wheel off to get a better look at it. Usually a ball
joint isnt so violent though and it's been sitting for a few
weeks and wasnt doing this before it sat.

Anyone experienced this before? What do you guys think?
BoostedSubie
Second Gear
Posts: 419
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2010 7:47 am
Location: Spokane, WA

Re: 98 RS wheel wobble(?) at 50mph +

Post by BoostedSubie »

I'd check the wheel bearing also and check that all your lug nuts are tight. Did you have new tires put on recently? One could be out of balance or you could have a bent rim. I had a bad cv once that didn't click or anything but at higher speeds it did the same thing due to being out of balance. Those are the usuallys that i've seen.
93 Black Legacy SS
93 Legacy
97 Outback- EJ25D/22e frankenmotor
97 Green Outback
97 Red Legacy GT
98 Silver Legacy GT- Pikes Peak build, built EJ22t/205, GT3076r
99 Black Legacy GT wagon
SWRT
Third Gear
Posts: 627
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:12 pm
Location: Lakeland, FL

Re: 98 RS wheel wobble(?) at 50mph +

Post by SWRT »

I thought wheel bearings tended to hop, not wobble.

I'll have to check the lug nuts, but the car's been sitting.
I had them put on about 8 months ago. Some Falken FK452's, but
I've never hit a curb or anything. I know the passenger side CV axle
is bad, but I'll have to look at the driver. The passenger boot is ripped
but it's not clicking.

I'll have to check this stuff out. Appreciate it, man. If anyone else has
anything more I should check I'd be grateful.
BoostedSubie
Second Gear
Posts: 419
Joined: Tue Jul 06, 2010 7:47 am
Location: Spokane, WA

Re: 98 RS wheel wobble(?) at 50mph +

Post by BoostedSubie »

The front end on my wagon gets shaky when i'm going over 40. My passenger cv is bad, just haven't had time to replace it but my boots aren't torn either. I've had bad wheel bearings before and you usually can't tell if thats the problem. They make a consistent grinding/dragging sound and at high speeds can make the wheel a bit shaky.
93 Black Legacy SS
93 Legacy
97 Outback- EJ25D/22e frankenmotor
97 Green Outback
97 Red Legacy GT
98 Silver Legacy GT- Pikes Peak build, built EJ22t/205, GT3076r
99 Black Legacy GT wagon
SWRT
Third Gear
Posts: 627
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:12 pm
Location: Lakeland, FL

Re: 98 RS wheel wobble(?) at 50mph +

Post by SWRT »

Right, but I didnt hear anything. At least if it is I cant hear it over the tires. They're pretty loud, but
my first and last experience with a bad wheel bearing was 2 years ago and it'd hum at lower speeds
too.



**UPDATE**

So I drove it around for a bit last night...nothing.
Didnt wobble a bit even up at 50+. I think it's gonna
need some driving this weekend early in the morning.
I wonder if it has anything to do with it sitting or maybe
it getting colder outside.
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27884
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Re: 98 RS wheel wobble(?) at 50mph +

Post by Legacy777 »

Does the whole car shake or is it more through the wheel?

I had an issue with a CV axle that was causing a horrible vibration. It was intermittant, so a cv axle may be something to look at as well. The axle looked fine from the exterior.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
SWRT
Third Gear
Posts: 627
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:12 pm
Location: Lakeland, FL

Re: 98 RS wheel wobble(?) at 50mph +

Post by SWRT »

The whole car shakes slightly, but you can feel it pretty hard through the steering wheel.
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27884
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Re: 98 RS wheel wobble(?) at 50mph +

Post by Legacy777 »

Well if you can't find anything around the "normal" culprits, you may want to check the CV axles.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
SWRT
Third Gear
Posts: 627
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:12 pm
Location: Lakeland, FL

Re: 98 RS wheel wobble(?) at 50mph +

Post by SWRT »

Oddly enough it turned out to be the front drivers side caliper locking up and not releasing.
I had ruled that out from the first because I got those calipers less than a year ago. Kind of
makes me lose faith in them now. At least it was under warranty and it didnt warp my rotor.
Crap must have been hot though.
Legacy777
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 27884
Joined: Tue Oct 15, 2002 11:37 am
Location: Houston, Tx
Contact:

Re: 98 RS wheel wobble(?) at 50mph +

Post by Legacy777 »

Well at least you found out what the problem was.
Josh

surrealmirage.com/subaru
1990 Legacy (AWD, 6MT, & EJ22T Swap)
2020 Outback Limted XT

If you need to get a hold of me please email me rather then pm
SWRT
Third Gear
Posts: 627
Joined: Thu Jan 07, 2010 9:12 pm
Location: Lakeland, FL

Re: 98 RS wheel wobble(?) at 50mph +

Post by SWRT »

Uh huh. I was pretty shocked though. Sad that those re-manufactured
parts are done so cheaply.

And I do really appreciate all of the help guys! :-D
LegacyW90
In Neutral
Posts: 36
Joined: Thu May 09, 2013 11:11 pm
Location: Desmoines Washington

Re: 98 RS wheel wobble(?) at 50mph +

Post by LegacyW90 »

SWRT wrote:I thought wheel bearings tended to hop, not wobble.

I'll have to check the lug nuts, but the car's been sitting.
I had them put on about 8 months ago. Some Falken FK452's, but
I've never hit a curb or anything. I know the passenger side CV axle
is bad, but I'll have to look at the driver. The passenger boot is ripped
but it's not clicking.

I'll have to check this stuff out. Appreciate it, man. If anyone else has
anything more I should check I'd be grateful.

If the car was sitting un moved for a long duration of time it can create problems with the tire as well. So keep that in mind. Of if the tire went flat while sitting there or even sitting with low pressure it can make it go bonkers
Post Reply