I'm trying to resolve a steering wheel shake at 70mph and up on a new to me 240. I have replaced outer tie rod ends and ball joints and also tightened one loose spindle nut. There is currently no play in the front wheels that I can find. I had the tires, which are in good shape, balanced and the front end aligned. I replaced the rear shocks which were totally blown (when I took them out and compressed them they just stayed that way). Around town it is nice and tight now but highway speeds are shaky. Maybe I am asking too much of an 18 year old car. My best guess now is front struts and mounts as they are probably the originals. FCP groton is having a sale this week 15% off so I am sorely tempted to pull the trigger on the struts, unless anyone has any other ideas about what I should look at.
Thanks!

 

I had a shake at freeway speeds ... it turned out to be one of the tires. I would rotate the fronts with the backs and see if anything changes.

 

I have studded snows on the rear in preparation for winter. Would be funny if I put the studded snows on the front and it fixed the shake. Maybe I'll try it for kicks.

 

Swap on some new or other tyres on teh front. More often than not, a car with worn suspension parts will cause the tyres to take a "set", develop wear patterns that fit the worn parts.

Regards, Andrew.

 

How's the play on your steering rack?

 

You guys nailed it! The front tires *look* almost new and were just balanced. I had recently scored some free rims with some really worn, wrong size tires (195/75 vs my 185/70s). On your advice I threw those crappy tires on the front just to see what would happen and it's smooth sailing right up to an indicated 80mph. Woohoo! Looks funny as hell because it is taller in the front right now. I'll pick up some new winter 185/70s and I'll be golden. Thanks!