I have been experiencing steering wheel wobble at motorway speeds since I bought my car a year ago. I've been through the usual diagnoses, replaced suspect parts for 1 reason or another, but have come up empty handed. At this point I'm running out of options of what the cause could be.

Below is a list of things I have ruled out.

Engine + Gearbox mounts: Replaced all three as soon as I bought the car. No difference.

Wheel balance + alignment: Bought a new set of wheels as I double punctured 6 months ago (oops), these were balanced when bought. Alignment has been done post double puncture.

Drop links + inner/outer tie rods: Replaced both sides due to play and cheapness when I bought the car.

Dampers + top mounts: Not an obvious cause but these have been replaced with Sachs OEM as the old ones had failed. Alignment was done here as well.

OS Driveshaft: The maintenance history says the OS driveshaft was replaced 2 years ago, these are notorious for failing if aftermarket parts are used. I was convinced this was the issue, as there was also vibration when accelerating. Replaced with GKN OEM driveshaft. Car drives much smoother APART from the wheel wobble on the motorway which returned after a week or so. (Also got driveshaft ping but I don't care about that.)

Lower Control Arms: These were replaced a year ago by the previous owner, unlikely to be the culprit.

Before anyone accuses me of firing a parts cannon at the issue, all of these parts needed replacing for 1 reason or another, and have all solved related issues, just not the underlying one.

Description of wheel wobble: Starts around 65-70Mph. Does not worsen with speed increase. Slightly intermittant, was occationally disappear for a minute or two, and inevitably return. Intermittance does not seem related to acceleration or deceleration, possibly cornering related?

Possible causes

NS Driveshaft: Maybe?

Lower control arms: Poor aftermarket parts used by previous owner?

Subframe bushes

Power steering rack or bushes

Am I missing anything obvious here? I feel like I'm running out of possible solution. Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated.

I have a 2008 ST 65k - and I have similar symptoms, noticeable but not objectionable. Only noticed it in the last few months, definitely annoying.

Not really investigated yet, but my first "guess" is to check circularity of wheels and the tyres, and get the alignment checked. I bought a 2007 Fiesta a few years ago, wheels were circular, but not one of the tyres, although fairly new. Tyre replaced and all OK.

I shall be watching this topic with selfish interest.....

Swap wheels front to back to maybe rule wheel and tyre combination out or look for a change when this is done?

When I had a Mk 2 I had the same symptoms and the wheels needed balanced a lot,. The only thing that made it better was when I fitted Avon Tyres, they were very smooth and stayed in Balance.

On 3/27/2026 at 12:01 PM, Paulkp said:

I have a 2008 ST 65k - and I have similar symptoms, noticeable but not objectionable. Only noticed it in the last few months, definitely annoying.

Not really investigated yet, but my first "guess" is to check circularity of wheels and the tyres, and get the alignment checked. I bought a 2007 Fiesta a few years ago, wheels were circular, but not one of the tyres, although fairly new. Tyre replaced and all OK.

I shall be watching this topic with selfish interest.....

Swapped the front and rear wheels, wheel wobble disappeared. Hadnt considered that the circularity would be out, guess thats that solved.

So, now swap one back to narrow it down to the exact wheel (could of course be both!) OR leave well alone if no vibrations! 😉

31 minutes ago, Shearers said:

So, now swap one back to narrow it down to the exact wheel (could of course be both!) OR leave well alone if no vibrations! 😉

If these are the new tyres, they are faulty. What brand are they?