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The vibration is most noticeable at freeway speeds mainly because it's hard to tell at slower speeds with the car being as old as it is.
It doesn't vibrate the whole time though, it will run fine for a few miles then vibrate for a few more.
It doesn't feel like the vibration is the steering wheel and the front tires have been replaced with not improvement in vibration.
At idle the car feels fine.
I did hear a ticking noise coming from the front right a few weeks ago but it went away when I removed the tire and blasted the brakes with brake cleaner. The brake pads didn't feel loose.
And last, I feel the vibration when I'm cruising not accelerating.
My thoughts is that it's an engine mount starting to go and if that's so, is it critical that I replace it ASAP?
Any word on balancing? Have not noticed anything.
Engine mounts possibly.
Hub bearing more likely.
Bad ball joints, many you have.
It needs full scope check up, if tires were replaced (with new ones?) and rebalanced.
Btw, some cars are stubborn and need what is called on car balancing.
Bad struts.
Vibration could be-
wheel bearing
tire balance
bent rim
ball joint upper or lower
tie rod ball joint
rack/pinion needs tightening
Any of the above don't necessarily have to vibrate at 45 to 70 mph
It can happen at any speed like 52-53 mph or 66-67 mph
It's the amount of wear that would cause a part to vibrate at any certain speed.
you said the tire was replaced but not the rim. If all 4 wheels/tires are the same, rotate the fronts to the back and see if it is still in the steering wheel (vs. the seats). Then you know it's the rims. The more speed you pick up with out-of-round rims (or wheels), the worse the vibration gets - think of centrifugal force. You can also try and visually inspect it while on a wheel balancer, or manually spin them while on a lift.
That particular car, that old, and with that many miles, could have dozens of little things causing this. From ball joints to wheel bearings, you name it.
There's no way for us to sit behind a computer and diagnose it. Gotta look.
Therefore, if you can't do the inspection/mechanical work yourself, get it to a good independent mechanic.
GL is right. It's one of those that you have to feel/hear/touch.
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