steering wheel shake, not rotors or wheels

[thebox]

Ok, so I've been trying to figure out what makes my steering wheel shake so badly. I have a 88 civic hatchback. I recently had a 4 wheel alignment done, all wheels have been balanced. I also have 2 new tires on the front wheels. brake pads and rotors have recently been changed.

The shake occurs pretty much at all speeds and I can very distinctly feel the wheel rythmically turning back and forth in my palm. the turn is not bad enough to jolt the car or anything, but on the highway my wheel has this constant shake back and forth and is starting to drive me crazy.

Tonight I checked the ball joints but I couldn't find any play in them so I think they're alright. Here's what I did find on my front passenger side. I had my brother hold the steering wheel to avoid turning the wheels, and if I grip the tie-rod with my left hand and push it in towards the center of the car, and can feel a that distinct jolt that I'm talking about. Trouble is I don't know what it could be, and am not familiar with my steering system that much? Is this a steering gear box problem or something? What could cause that little bit of play? Any help would be great, thanks in advance.

[91civichatch2571]

sounds like an inner tie rod. if the jolt is on the wheel side of the tie rod, its your outer tie rod. if its on the engine side, its your inner

[Hybrid1990crx]

A basic thing to check for wheel shake is to jack the car up and shake the wheel side to side like you are just turning the wheel, if you have play its a tie rod either inner or outher, and then shake it from the top and bottom, if there is movement its either a wheel bearing or a balljoint.

[96 civicturbo]

If you go on the highway and you are giving the car gas and it shack, let off the gas pedal. If it goes away, Its the c-v shaft is out of round. If it happiness on decelartion( from a highway speed) its most like this to. If you want cheap oem part( cheaper then aftermarket) go to www.discoveryautoparts.com . They have everything for a honda or acura. And I mean everything. Motors, trannys, ecu, ex.