Could This Be the Vibration Problem(s)??

elemgee · #1 10-31-2009, 02:57 PM

Problem #1: When I drive the car at around 30mph, the car bounce up and down. It goes away at around 35 mph or so. Problem #2: starting at 70mph on the highway, I get this front end vibration.

I assumed that whatever was causing one problem was also causing the other. So I jacked up the car and looked underneath, starting at the back, and noticed that one of the brand new Koni inserts appears to be leaking. I say this because the bolt at the bottom of the strut was wet and its not water. So I figure thats probably causing the bouncing up and down.

I then looked at the front suspension, and found that both front axles have a tiny amount of play where they go into the transmission, and also at the inner cv joints. Not much, but enough where I could slightly shake the axles at the transmission, and also at the inner cv joints. I figure this is causing front vibration at high speed.

Any thoughts, that none, one or both of the about sound right before I start the repairs? My plan is to reinstall both original rear struts, and to order the front axles from Advance Auto and install them.

Thanks.

Larry

trophy956 · #2 10-31-2009, 03:21 PM

hi front axles have movement at splines for DOJ so unless the car is shaking ,they arent the problem
shocks dont cause bounce but the shock stop unnessary rebound ,
you dont say much about you tires ,
go with inexpensive first ,and tires are the largest rotating things on your car
charlie

dannmarr · #3 10-31-2009, 04:27 PM

I also had the vibrating problem at 30MPH especially going up hill. I had my struts and mounts replaced and the vibration went away. This is my experience. Hope this helps.

svxfiles · #4 10-31-2009, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elemgee

Problem #1: When I drive the car at around 30mph, the car bounce up and down. It goes away at around 35 mph or so. Problem #2: starting at 70mph on the highway, I get this front end vibration.

Larry

The best way to locate a vibration is to watch an elevated car with all wheels spinning.
This means a lift,
a person to "drive" the car,
and proper communications between driver, viewer and ambulance crew!

This is not to be taken lightly!

Your best bet, before you spend money is to take it to a mechanic.

elemgee · #5 11-01-2009, 11:35 AM

Thanks for the responses, all good advice. i'm going to reinstall my rear struts because one is leaking, and then put on my snow tires to see if maybe tires are the problem. If not, I'll take it in and have the problem checked out.

Larry

Subix · #6 11-02-2009, 02:43 PM

Yea, I thought mine went away with my caliper being fixed but it still there from time to time on the highway doing 65+ and I still get the feeling it's badly balanced tires.

I finally found a shop here locally that will do the force testing and balancing on that GSP9700 machine or whatever it is for only 12 bucks a tire so that's on my to do list for them to pinpoint rather or not it's tire/wheel related (which I really hope it is).

The other thing I was thinking about is the fact that my power steering is slowly on it's way out if that's not a possibility for causing some shaking? Maybe I'm just talking stupid but I've been trying to think of anything/everything possible that could be affecting it at high speeds.

svxfiles · #7 11-02-2009, 03:46 PM

Out of balance wheels and tires,
out of round wheels and tires,
bent wheels,
cupped tires,
worn out axles,
sticking U-joints in the driveshaft,
bent wheel hubs,
hot spotted rotors,
dirt/mud/snow in wheels,
All of these things can and do cause vibrations.
Are there more things that can cause a vibration, sure.
But check the simple stuff first.

BTW, a worn inner/outer tie rod or ball joint can expose a shaking in a high speed turn!