Steering wheel wobble ... sometimes

[zekrec]

Hello everyone. I have a 2003 base Vibe(90k miles) that I love and recently had 4 new Continentals mounted. It rides quite and smooth, except that occassionally the steering wheel will shimmy/wobble left to right sometimes up to an inch or so. Its dramatic around 60mph. The car however still goes straight down the road, no noticable pull. Now the trick...it doesn't happen all of the time. I think under load brings it out or hard braking but i am not able to always replicate it. Now the car probably hasn't been raised off the ground in at least a year and i'm thinking that this may be a suspension, joints, bearing issue. I bought the car at 68k miles about 5 years ago and haven't had to touch it. Regular inspections and maintenance is all.
Is there something typical I should start with?
I remember reading somewhere that when the bearings go, you can't check them by just feeling for play up down side to side, is that true?

[ehoff121]

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=39125&p=468158&hil ... on#p468158
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=31279

Have a read through the threads above.

Pay close attention to the conditions this happens under. If you have this problem, it should be consistent, e.g., above 60 without braking or above 60 with braking.

If without braking, I'd bring it back to the tire shop and let them know it's shaking above 60. Ask them to check for incorrect torque on the lug nuts or a poor balancing job (alloy wheels can be difficult to balance with stick on weights inside the wheel).

If with braking at highway speed only sometimes, this could indicate brake pad residue buildup from frequent hard stops. All the time could mean new rotors are needed.

[zekrec]

Thanks. The thread links were helpful. I'm hoping my problem is also an alignment issue since I just had new tires mounted and balanced. When I got it back the first time the alignment was off so I brought it back in and they straightened the alignment but now I have the wobble. My ussies seem consistent with what was covered in the earlier thread. I will report back after I get another alignment.

[circuitsmith]

Continental car tires tend to suck, IMHO.
It could be a tread separation fault.
Rotate the tires front to back, one side at a time.
If the shake changes you know you've moved the bad tire.
Continental makes great bicycle tires though.