Diagnosing Suspension Issues

"way2blu does a rev update" (way2blu) 02/10/2019 at 17:56 • Filed to: WAY2BLU, Toyota MR2, Suspension

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After autocross this weekend, I’ve noticed my MR2’s steering wheel shakes rather violently at any speed above ~55 mph. Seems like a front suspension issue. Any Oppos know what it could be?

This was my first autocross on the Bridgestone RE-71R tires I got a few weeks ago, as well as my first one with a track-spec alignment on the car. Grip was way better than before, and I think the increased stress on the suspension must have loosened something.

Bright blue sunlit pic of the car for your time:

yamahog > way2blu does a rev update 02/10/2019 at 18:05

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Seems like it’s got a nasty cone allergy.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > way2blu does a rev update 02/10/2019 at 18:05

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Does it get worse when braking?

If jacked up any wheel play?

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > way2blu does a rev update 02/10/2019 at 18:07

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Rotate the tires and see if the vibration “follows” the tires. It could be due to a defective tire/broken belt.

Had that happen to me in the past.

Shift24 > way2blu does a rev update 02/10/2019 at 18:14

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Are you sure it’s suspension? I have had “balanced” tires start shaking at 45-50 mph and go away after 70mph. And it was the weights improperly placed.

And it might not be the person’s who installed it’s fault. After heating up and having road force on the tire it can change the balance. Might request the tires be road force balanced.

Normally with a suspension shake, something is lose and you would hear something

Other possible things not exactly suspension is alignment would cause shaking and  check wheel bearings.

way2blu does a rev update > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 02/10/2019 at 18:16

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My setup is staggered and the back wheels don’t have clearance for the front wheel wells.

Would there be any way to check without rotating them?

way2blu does a rev update > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 02/10/2019 at 18:17

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I’ll check if there’s play, didn’t notice a difference under braking when I brought it back yesterday. Seemed directly related to speed rather than load.

way2blu does a rev update > yamahog 02/10/2019 at 18:18

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Believe me, the cones from this weekend are way worse off than the car...

Alf Romio > way2blu does a rev update 02/10/2019 at 18:20

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How about trying the spare on each front side?

way2blu does a rev update > Shift24 02/10/2019 at 18:22

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I’ll check the bearings; got the car aligned for track duty on Friday but I’m sure the G-forces might have upset that.

Would a new (read: bought them just over a month ago) set of tires lose balance easily under hard driving?

way2blu does a rev update > Alf Romio 02/10/2019 at 18:25

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The car didn’t include a spare when I bought it 

I’ll stop by my local tire shop tomorrow and see if they can check; also if they can sell me a spare...

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > way2blu does a rev update 02/10/2019 at 18:26

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Yes. It happens frequently.

Possibly a thrown weight, but often just the wear on the sidewall and tread is enough to throw the balance out. Depending on the margins and weights, can take very little.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > way2blu does a rev update 02/10/2019 at 18:26

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What Alf said.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > way2blu does a rev update 02/10/2019 at 18:33

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Wheel hub bearing. I'd bet money

RacinBob > way2blu does a rev update 02/10/2019 at 18:42

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I think it’s time to be very careful as “it shook violently” is usually the preamble to “and then the driver’s side suspension collapsed”.... I would jack up both corners at the same time so that you can unload the swaybar and them give each wheel a spin to check for asymmetry or unusual wear in the tires. Also look for looseness in the wheel/hub assembly. Ditto for the lower A arm and ball joints.

If all are clear, I then wonder about a out of balance tire and a blown shock. One last thing is it could be a worn out inner tie rod joint. I had one shake on my van at about 70 mph and new joints cured it. 

Maxima Speed > way2blu does a rev update 02/10/2019 at 18:57

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I mean, I don’t think I need to ask really but........ are the lugs tight ? 

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I’ve totally, always remembered to retighten after the tire shop puts on my new rubber.

Dogsatemypants > way2blu does a rev update 02/10/2019 at 19:59

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Check control arm and sway bar bushings, check wheel bearings, check cv joints. Usually suspension issues translate to whole car shaking. It kind of sounds like an issue i had, it was caused by rotted control arm bushings and a cv that was on the verge of failure.

Textured Soy Protein > way2blu does a rev update 02/10/2019 at 21:44

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As others mentioned, double check the wheel balance, sometimes tires can slide along a wheel under hard driving so they won’t line up with the balance weights.

If it's not that, check for play in any assorted front bushings or suspension links, or possibly bent control arms. 

Spanfeller is a twat > way2blu does a rev update 02/10/2019 at 22:09

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Car is runied, please dispose of it. I’ll give you the address,


321 TAE’s Home, Mexico City, Mexico.

Only overnight shipping! That car is very dangerous.

It could be tires, allignment, wrapped disks... just look for the typical culprits.

oldmxer > way2blu does a rev update 02/10/2019 at 22:57

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warped rotors from the heavy braking?

way2blu does a rev update > oldmxer 02/11/2019 at 00:00

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Still on the stock brakes, could be a possibility. Stopping distance is really short on the new tires.

way2blu does a rev update > Maxima Speed 02/11/2019 at 00:01

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I’ll try to get it up on a jack soon and check for play. If something was gonna come loose, autocross is always likely to expedite the loosening process