So lately I've been hearing clunking at low speeds in the front while going over any bumps, replaced my sway bar links not to long ago, and I have a pretty nasty vibration in the steering wheel 60mph+ so my money is on the ball joints. Any other suggestions on why my car would be vibrating above 60mph? 2002 wrx. Thanks for any advice.
When my tie rod end went out I could feel a definite "shift" in the front wheel when I went back and forth between accelerating and not. Like push the gas, let off, push, let off. Don't remember a steady shake in the wheel tho, but still maybe something to check I guess.
No potholes, been doing it since I bought the car about a month ago, originally I thought it was flat spots in the tires for the vibration but it still hasn't gone away. Just ordered a new set of wheels and ball joints, after those I'll have it aligned and hopefully the vibration will go away. Also any easy way to tell if my tie rod ends are shot?
If you have the capability, jack up the front of your car so the wheels are off the ground. If you can wiggle the wheel side to side excessively (hands at 9 and 3) it might be a good sign that they're bad. You can also have somebody wiggle them while you lay under and look at them. Mine was really obvious and on one side only. While you're there, wiggle them up and down (hands at 12 and 6). If they move that way at all it might be wheel bearings. Not saying it is but just a simple check while you're already right there.
Update: I replaced both front lower ball joints, all new brake pads and rotors, and the vibration is gone. I think maybe the brake rotors were warped causing the steering wheel to shake at 65+
