My 2006 JustaCooper has developed a shake in the steering wheel. When I let go of the wheel, the car continues tracking straight; but the wheel visibly rocks back and forth (only a few degrees, but it is visible), as if it is trying to run a slalom on it's own. Is this the dreaded lower control arm bushing problem?

How dangerous is this, and how expensive?

 

Neglected to mention that I have 78k on the odo. Thanks!

 

Have you looked closely at the tires? Are they in balance? Rotate the to the rear & see is that changes anything. Maybe a bent wheel of a broken tire belt? Yes it could be the bushings, but I'd want to be sure before spending money on those.

 

Rotated the tires last oil change (2 weeks ago). The shake was there before I rotated them as well. I was thinking alignment, but the car still tracks straight, mostly. Little pull to the right. Maybe I should just get the alignment checked first.

 

No, wheel shake isn't alignment usually, it would have to be really bad to make the tires essentially hop and it would eat them up.

If the tire is balanced (that is the first and most common thing) then you need to lift the car and using a lever see if anything is loose. You really need solid jack stands to yank enough to see, so bringing it in for a diagnosis won't be a bad idea.

If it wobbles bad, you should be able to find the culprit.