My '82 GLF coupe has a wheel shake at highway speeds that persists even after new tires, brakes, brake rotors, repacked bearings, tight suspension, rack, tie rods and new front axles. I noticed the output shafts on the trans (5MT) are pretty sloppy and have a lot of movement. The axles also make sounds like they're worn out when slow speed cornering even though they are new. Anybody dealt with this, and is it possible the loose trans output shafts can cause a bad wheel shake at high speeds? If that is it there is probably not much I can or will do to mend it. 

Steering wheel shakes in your hands?

Usually wheel balance but I have had to replace the tiny uni joint between rack and column to get rid of same, or maybe it was a rattle ??

Yep, steering wheel. A good half inch total back and forth at its worst. Have no reason to think wheels and with brand new weights.. well I guess you never really know. That Uni joint on mine is solid.

What about alignment ?

Jack up the front end of the car and run it in 1st (very carefully letting the clutch out). Get out with it idling in gear and watch each wheel rotate.

You could have a tyre with a bubble in it or it’s out of round, or you could have a bent hub (been there done that). 

Or it could be something like the hub not being completely centred on the hub and studs. Are they factory rims (less likely to be the issue)? 

The drift shafts to the front wheels could cause problems with vibrations, but not through the steering, you’ll feel that throughout the whole vehicle. 

All the best with it. 

Cheers 

Bennie

kinda sounds like a bad axle just cause there new dosent mean there good ive turned too many away at the parts counter cause they were junk they were so bad i wouldent even take them out of the store

I think the axles are "good" for the purposes of this problem. Factory wheels but the hub could be an interesting diagnosis. I had to replace one already due to worn out splines but it could be out of true, I'll check. Alignment is pretty good, no super uneven toe that I believe would cause this. 

7 hours ago, el_freddo said:

... Are they factory rims (less likely to be the issue)? ...

Maybe one rim is bent from the inner side...

worth rotate the wheels, the front ones to the rear in "X" pattern and check if the issue changes...

3 hours ago, Loyale 2.7 Turbo said:

in "X" pattern

Unless your tyres are directional. I usually just do front to rear on the same side these days. 

Cheers 

Bennie

For a stretch, I had the white wagon wheel rims.   THE only place that could balance them was  a local Subaru dealer.

i would guess radius rod bushings or tie rods - get a long digging bar and get some serious prying going on from multiple angles underneath and make sure you're subjecting this to more than just hand pulling and pushing. 

I have an erratic wiggle and, once, taking the car to Les Schwab, an experienced tire person had to beat one of my wheels straight again, those wagon wheels seem to be problematic as far as easily being made crooked. I also suspect that the front axle on that side, the right front, got tweaked from attempting to jump the snow-covered curb while aiming for the driveway after our "Snowpocalypse" a year and a half ago.

It's been a while since I've seen it, but a tire may balance well, but it'll still have RFV(radial force variation) that may creep up at odd times and need to be addressed. One more thing to consider I suppose. Good luck. 

Thanks everyone for the input, I have many things to go play with now and see what outcome I get.

Try to do one thing at a time between tries.

Some of us throw everything at problem at once and can't pinpoint ,but problem goes

Not sure if anyone does on car wheel balancing anymore.

A 'finish' balance, on car can make up for extra bits in the steering and suspension causing imbalance

We bought one mid 80's but was out of service more than in due to the pick ups in its lower control arm supports

Only recently scrapped it after snaffling it's German components like hinges and wheels n axles