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50+mph speed "wobble"

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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 10:44 AM
  #1  
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mkiv20vt
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Question 50+mph speed "wobble"

So I'm try to decide what my issue is with my current situation. Help needed.

Back story: Did a little amateur drifting in abandoned parking lot, few donuts, that sort of thing. Didn't hit anything. ABS light came on and went away, and ended up bending the stock camber arm. Limped home (0.3 mi), car had a "wobble" at low speed. One could describe it as loose lug nuts (this was checked, wheels still torqued to spec). Didn't think much of it, so ordered SPC Camber Arms and Toe Bolts to replace the stock bent one, and the opposite side. Installed myself, and got aligned to spec by a local chain "tire and lube", if you will (NTB).

Toe still looks to be off, (driver rear wheel is angled in slightly towards center of car, as is passenger side) but is in spec according to my alignment sheet. Car drives fine under 40mph or so, but if accelerated somewhat heavier to 55-60, car responds with that same wobble as described above. Went to get tires balanced as a remedy, didn't change anything. Tech at the balancing shop says three(3) of my wheels are bent, but still got everything to balance properly.

My question is, where to go from here?
Bent wheel(s)?
Another bent suspension component?

CN: Bent 1 stock camber arm playing in a parking lot. Loose lug nut feeling when driving. Replaced with SPC camber arms and toe bolts. Got aligned, and had wheels balanced, still no remedy for the "wobble".

Thanks!
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 10:54 AM
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how does the arm bend under load if you didnt hit anything?

boggles my mind! well, sounds like you have most of the issues down. check your bushings yet? wheel bearing symptoms?

potentially a bent wheel(s)
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 11:04 AM
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You probably did the Duggie maneuver. Messes up the Z big time.
.
Find a better shop than NTW

.
.
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 11:08 AM
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Duggie Maneuver??
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 02:17 PM
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I have seen a camber arm fold once before, without hitting something. The wheel bearing were also toast on that car. If you loaded hard enough to bend an arm, i'll bet your bearings are toast. Hell i destroyed wheel bearings in a high speed spin without hitting anything.
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 03:13 PM
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Typically when wheel bearings go bad, isn't also some audible noise? Everything is quiet on my end..
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 03:14 PM
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Ha I'm actualy dealing with this right now too. I did hit something tho good luck
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 06:37 PM
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Swap your tires front to rear and go for a drive. If your front develops the wobble then take a better look at the wheels.
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Old Feb 16, 2012 | 08:32 PM
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bend the 4th wheel, they should all even out then. I'd honestly visually inspect the wheels and repair or replace any damaged ones. Inspect bushings and wheel bearings. Debate realigning the vehicle.
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Old Feb 17, 2012 | 04:40 AM
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Originally Posted by mkiv20vt
Typically when wheel bearings go bad, isn't also some audible noise? Everything is quiet on my end..
Yes this is correct, I had this issue and there's no way you can go without hearing the noise.
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Old Feb 17, 2012 | 05:42 AM
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may not be a bad bearing persay but a bad hub, could also be an issue with an axle, or something in the pumpkin itself. May also want to inspect the driveshaft yoke and ensure it's torqued to spec to the pinion
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Old Feb 21, 2012 | 09:11 AM
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i had wobble before but at higher speed - felt like wheel wanted to come off. tire had thrown a weight off and was out of balance - sure felt like more. probably not your solution but no harm checking.
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