2004 Mazda 3 Shakes at 60-65mph

Tiny
GDU1906
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 MAZDA 3
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 97,000 MILES
My daughter drives a 2004 Mazda3 i, it now has just over 97k on it. I have been driving it for the past fews days to determins if her claims are true to how the car has been running. There is a vibration or shaking that takes places when the car approaches 60mph and them once past 65 mph it stops. At first I just thought it might have how the roads were grated, but it does this with persistance. I have also noticed that while driving that the front suspension is not as tight as it used to be when I would go through dips or over bumps. It will have a little loose bounce to it, and not seem to absorb like usual. There is also a rubbing sound that is coming from the drivers front wheel, like the caliper is rubbing or something. I can only hear this when driving at slower speeds, like in a parking lot.

I have also experienced a heavy vibration when the car comes to a stop and the RPMs drop real low, and then tries to recover and drops low again. Also when accellerating the RPMs seem to go real high before the car catches up to it. Kind of like the tranny is slipping, but it is not when I go to the manual mode.

Whatever suggestions that any of you may have would be greatly appreciated. I want to have the car in order by mid-August for her to go back to school.
Sunday, July 12th, 2009 AT 10:51 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
CANMAZDATECH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
It seems liike theres a few problems with your car. For the tranny "slipping" part of your question when was the last time you had a tranny flush? Its recommened to replace the tranny fluid evey 48000KM's im not too sure what thats in Miles (im a canadian mazda tech) The shaking problem that may have to deal with your tires are they properly inflated? Just take it to a tire shop and ask them to just do a tire inspection it normally dosnt cost anything. You may just have to balance the tires or replace them if there seperated or just wearing funny ( funny wear maybe due to the wheel alignment being out) The vibration your talking about maybe as easy as your number three mount being broken (the engine mount underneath the coolant bottle) we have found that we are doing quite a few of them. The rubbing noise int he front might be your wheel bearing a way you might be able to check your self is drive on a stright road doing about 50-60KMS (miles not sure Sorry we use Killometers) and turn the steering wheel slighty to the left then back to the right if the noise goes away and comes back thats your wheel bearing. But if you go to your local mazda they will be able to check that for you for free. I hope that my response has helped you, reply back and let me know how it goes

Cheers, Derek
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Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 AT 11:35 PM

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