Despite having my '99 Rodeo aligned and wheels balanced 3 times, I still have vibration and control (constant wheel adjusting and wander) issues at speeds above 65 MPH. Both the shop and I have inspected all of the steering components (ball joints, tie rods, etc.) and they seem ok. I don't suspect a warped rotor as I don't feel any pedal pulsation when braking. A significant wind gust can blow me almost into another lane. Steering is tight (no play) when inspected off and on the ground and also at speeds below 65MPH. The control issue seems to come into play when the vibration issue starts - as if one of the wheels were losing some road contact when vibrating (probably true). Shocks are brand new (Gabriel Ultra). Tires are in good visual shape (Kuhmo Road Venture HT).

I'm inclined to suspect wheel bearings but there's no play in the wheels when pushed/pulled and no audible noises when spun.

The shop 'suspects' poor quality tires. I'm doubtful and don't want to hand over $500 for a new set if this isn't going to cure the problem.

Any ideas?

i suspect all the attention has been focused on the front. i suggest you have a look at the rear suspension parts. including, especially, the trailing links (arms). inspect to make sure one or both are not bent (when they shouldn't be) and that there is no cracks in them. do it jacked up as on the ground the defect can be masked by the position of the deforming metal.

on my 1992 trooper: i had longstanding steering pull to one side that i figured i would eventually get resolved with a front end alignment. i had classic front end alignment needed tire wear patterns. i had a knot in my shoulder from having to constantly pull down on the steering wheel to run straight.

one day after a weird skating feeling, i came to a screeching rear tire burning halt. the left rear trailing arm had broken clear through at a flex bend, which apparently had been going on for some time.

replacing both trailing arms solved that "front" end alignment problem, and the front tire wear returned to normal. i did not have rear tire problems.

anyway, take a look. that surprise panic stop apparently was caused by the now twisting axle engaging the emergency brake cables at one side and was no fun at all. while i did not have any noticeable vibration, i can imagine some tires could respond that way as they wear abnomally.

//bc

sprung for michelin cross terrains tonight. solved the vibration problem. the kuhmos were visably rocking in and out as I looked down the sidewall while spinning the tire(s) up on the rack. did a double check on all suspension parts while it was up as well. all was tight and ok. warning to potential kuhmo tire purchasers... beware the quality of chinese products. the tire shop was quick to point out the 'made in china' imprint on the side of the kuhmos and they were correct... the kuhmos came with the car when i bought it and i suspect that they were balanced on an on-car balancer. i made the mistake of upsetting that when i had the tires rotated and rebalanced as part of what I thought would be good maintenance. the rebalance work was done 4 times in 2 different shops and they couldn't get it right as the tires were messed up. the unfortunate part is that the problem wouldn't show up until i was up to the 70-85MPH range which the basic tire-shop balancer apparently doesn't do. yes, i could have probably sprung for an on-car balance but why bother... best to dump the crappy tires rather than have to deal with a special balance project every time... headed on a lengthy road trip this weekend. i see how the new tires handle with more real world testing...