Hi everyone,

I have an 08 TLS with about 105k km on it.

When the car is driving at high speeds, steering wheel vibrates as if the wheels are misaligned and pulls to one side (seems to be either way depending on the slope of the road). The thing is I got the wheels aligned recently and the tires replaced with balancing.

I've heard of lower control arm bushing issues with these cars so I took a look at mine. I noticed some small cracks in the bushings as shown in the pictures. I also put the car on the ground (off the stands) and got my dad to turn the wheels while the car was stationary and it sort of looked like the control arm was moving around insinde the bushing (moving in and out towards and away from the engine) as if the bushing was getting compressed and allowing it to move. Is this normal? I have attached pictures of the small cracks in the bushings. Are these small bushings enough to require a replacement of the control arms? Can someone tell me the price of the control arms (not from the dealer as this is going to be absurd)/getting the bushing replaced (if possible).

My parents 13 year old Sienna still doesn't have vibrations in the steering wheel and it has 270,000 km on it so I'm wondering what the fix is here

I noticed this car has upper control arms too. Can it be these bushings that are bad as well?

Any help would be appreciated!

 

What is your definition of high speeds? Steering wheel vibration probably isn't caused by alignment issues. Post your alignment sheet.

Did you have the alignment and tire install done at the same time?

Was the vibration/pulling there before the alignment and/or new tires?

 

I would definitely replace those compliance bushings. How are your rims? Any scratches/dents?

 

When i say high speeds I mean 100-120 km/h but at lower speeds the car still pulls to one side slightly but the steering wheel doesnt vibrate.

The tire install and alignment were not done at the same time, alignment was done maybe 2 weeks later.

The vibration/pulling has always been there since i got the car 15000 km ago.

 

When driving on a crowned road it is normal for the car to track slightly down the slope when the alignment is perfect.

 

That's fair, but what about on a flatter road?

Also, whats causing the wheel vibration?

 

bent wheel or axles

 

or in my case its the rack and pinion is done.

 

Rims are in perfect condition.

 

You have had them checked for bends? My rims "look" perfect, but they have a slight bend in them that I cannot see with the naked eye that cause a slight shake at highway speeds.

Vibration Causes:
- Out of round rim
- Out of round/balance tire
- Failing Axle

Drifting/Pulling Causes:
- Alignment
- Poorly worn tires
- Poor tire condition
- Failing Bushings

 

Thank you for the detailed response. I have recently gotten brand new tires put on and gotten an alignment, so this takes out some of those causes.

My brother has an 06 Accord which has very similar issues and based on internet research, both cars have issues with lower control arms so I'm suspecting those bushings

 

^^^^ get the PCI bushing .... do it!!

 

I don't have the tools to replace just the bushings, would it be cheaper to get new control arms or get the bushings done from a shop with a press?

 

press of course...

 

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