Vibration at 55 mph, but is fine at 50, or 60 and over

Tiny
G SAWYER
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 CHRYSLER PT CRUISER
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 86,000 MILES
Mechanic replaced a drive train just prior to my buying the 2002 PT cruiser from him.
I test drove it before buying but didn't get up to 55 on my back roads. When I took it out on highway it started shimmying up front to making my teeth chatter and voice warble. This was at 55 mph, but when I got past that mark it straightened out a bit and ran smoother at 60. I didn't sustain that speed though and was afraid to push it to 70. I took the car back to him and watched as he balanced all 4 tires. That wasn't the problem. So he swapped out the tires from my 2003 PT thinking the rims were the culprit. No difference.
I asked about alignment. He said he had it aligned at a shop after the work he'd done on it.

I noticed too that the shimmying isn't quite so bad once the car has warmed up. But then it's intermittent.

Mechanic gave me an inspectable warranty on it. I'm wondering if it may be CV shafts from some of the things I've been reading. It only has 86 thousand miles on it, and is very clean, no rust. Must have not been driven much and garage kept. Could the shafts / axels have gotten bent while he was changing out the Drive train?

Thank you in advance for your answers.
Sincerely,
GS

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Monday, April 6th, 2015 AT 4:29 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Take it back to him and have him check axles, wheel bearings, motor mounts and front suspension for something loose or bent/broken etc.
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Monday, April 6th, 2015 AT 7:00 AM
Tiny
G SAWYER
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  • 3 POSTS
Thank you for your reply.

I saw the mechanic today, after my research from last night.

I took the car out on the highway and got up to 80 mph. The shuddering happens intermittently, but mostly at 55, then decellerating (sp?) Down at 65. It was fine at 70-80.

Also it makes some rattling sounds whenever I hit a bump and it shakes and undulates.

Mechanic said he'd replace the CV axle shafts and replace a right rear shock. He said he'd eat the labor but is charging me for the parts, said it would cost me about $220 for parts including tax.

He had already replaced bushings and tie rod ends prior to my purchase.

So I will have to see how it feels after the work he does on this Thursday the 9th April.

Stay tuned.

Gail S.
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Monday, April 6th, 2015 AT 1:45 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
It really sounds like an axle problem as that is about what they do vibrate at one speed but not another. The rattling may be the converter shield has broken it's rivets have him check that.
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Monday, April 6th, 2015 AT 2:05 PM
Tiny
G SAWYER
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  • 3 POSTS
Thank you, I wrote that down too, so will have him check that out also.
Gail S.
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Monday, April 6th, 2015 AT 5:43 PM

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