Chrysler Repair: Chrysler Neon LE 2001: rear end wobble, wheel alinement, chrysler neon

Question
I've been driving my neon for years now and it has been in and out of the shop for check ups. There is nothing wrong with the wheel alinement, but when I drive down the street the back "wobbles". Its so bad that it shakes the other people in the back seat. Could this be from a bend rim? Or What is the problem here?

Answer
Hi Nichelle,
It could be a bent rim, so try jacking up each rear side (with wheel blocks such as a 2 x 4 on both sides of the opposite side front wheel to prevent rolling) and then with the emergency brake released you should be able to rotate the rear wheel in question. While you have each wheel up off the ground try shaking the wheel from side to side in case the nuts are loose which would also cause a wobble. Then place a fixed object next to the edge of the tread and rotate the wheel to see if the space between the object and the tire edge changes more than about 1/8 inch. If so, then you have a bent wheel. If not, then try the same observations on the other side rear wheel. If you don't detect any wobble, then I would take it to an independently-owned alignment shop and have them examine the rear suspension proper.

Roland