Mitsubishi Repair: unknown vibration/shake, cv joints, wheel alignment

Question
I have a 2001 eclipse gt. I hit a large pothole and blew out the driver side front tire and ruined the rim. I got 4 new wheels and tires and now have a bad shake starting at 65+mph. I inspected the underside of the car-nothing is obviously loose or bent. I went to garage #1-found front strut leaking oil-replaced both front struts-said car was fine. I drove car to 65mph-bad shaking still there. He states the "uni lug wheels I put on the car are no good and I should replace them". States wheel alignment would be "waist of money". Went to garage #2-which did wheel ballancing. I drove car to 75mph and for first several miles it seemed fine, then shake started again. I turned around drove several more miles and shake magically disappeared. Now I'm scared to drive it. Any Idea what to look for?? I don't want to spend thousands till the real problem is found. Previously the car handled terrible in the rain/snow-rear end fish talling/squirming over bad bumps-although it seems better with the new tires. Could a rear wheel toe-in problem be the cause of this?

Answer
David: Here are some ideas to check and the problem is it could be one of many things. I understand about the cost and not wanting to spend a lot of money till you find out the real problem. But I can only give you things to look at or for... out of balance front wheels and/or tires, out of round front tires, worn CV joints, excessive toe-in, incorrect spring heights, worn or damaged inboard or outboard CV joints and sitcking inboard CV joint assembly. You could buying youself a repair manual on your car, they cost around $20.00 and well worth the money. It would walk you things to check, how to do this and what tools you would need to do the job. Most parts stores have them and well worth the money. Could be you bend something just enough to cause the shake, I know you say the shop said you did not. But did they really check that in more than just with their eyes, such as measuring it. Beause it does not take a lot to mess with a car's steering. It could be something to the lug wheels in that they might not be round, so your front end is out of round but yet that could be tested by a shop. Sounds like first guy wanted to sell you new rims.You could take car back to second shop and tell them to drive the car at 65 or 75 miles per hour. And see what they find. Sometimes a shop will take the car out for a short ride, at city speeds and not highway speeds. As long as you spent good money to have the  car balanced they should have it done right, so take it back and tell them it is not right. As there is still this on again off again shaking. Are you sure all your lug nuts that hold the rim/tires on the car are tight? That will cause a shaking too. Dropping into that large pothole and it was bad enough to blow the tire as well as ruining the rim. I would be having the whole under side well that side of the car checked, because though you can not see it with your own eyes; you might have as I said before bend something or damaged something. Then again one of the guys here a the shop, said new things need to seat themself and so with time the shaking would get better. But we both agree you should take the car back to the shop that did the balancing and have them recheck their work. Tell them what is going on with the car and ask them to check it over again. Heck, explain about the large pothole and what is happening.  Oh hey here is another thought, you might check the fluid in your power steering. Could be it is low and not doing the job it should be doing too.I hope this helps you and God bless: Linda