I just got a new set of tires put on, and the next day I’m getting on the interstate hiring about 55 mph, my steering wheel started shaking. At around 60-65 the shaking in the steering wheel stopped but I could feel the front left tire under me not rolling smoothly. I just took the next exit and went home.

I was concerned, cause at the time I got my tires installed, the shop (Big O Tires) told me that both my front struts and tie rods were all messed up/blown out/leaking or whatever. Which is a safety concern.

They quoted parts and labor about $1000. I hadn’t had any issues driving, so I just had them install the tires and do the alignment. After I felt the shaking on the interstate I brought it back to have them check the balancing, which they said was all okay.

They said the reason I never felt the vibrations before is because it wears a pattern into your tires so they absorb it over time.

Which, on that note, I’ve been driving the vehicle since 2019 and never noticed a shaking that went away or anything.

But what really sketched me out is while this guy, was going over everything and he said something like “and until we tighten that back up you’ll feel those vibrations”

So after all that, I guess my question is - are struts/tie rods the type of thing a mechanic could just loosen or mess with to get someone to buy a repair they don’t need?

I’m planning on getting a second opinion ASAP, so question 2 would be is there anything helpful from this info I could ask the next shop? Or anything I could check myself (without tools) before going in?