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MORE: Car vibration questions
Auto Vibration Problems - This category contains featured questions as
examples. They relate to most vehicles.
Question: 1998 Lexus ES 300 mileage: 99,000. As a former
mechanic, I have maintained my Lexus myself since I bought it new. My problem is
this, a substantial steering wheel vibration at 62 mph+. I had wheels balanced and
rebalance. That did not help. Bought 4 new tires and that did not help. I jacked
car up and ran front wheels and found right front wheel not running true. I replaced
both side CV half shafts with (new axles and cv joints). This did not help either.
I replaced rotors and right front hub and wheel bearing to no avail. I have tried
different wheels, which did not help. The car has never been in an accident. What's
left to cause problem? Center support? Transmission?
Answer: Check the lower ball joints on the front-end. You
will find that they could be loose and the cause of your vibration problem.
Question: 1999 Dodge Dakota, mileage: 136,000. There is NO
problem when vehicle is under power, on a straight away or uphill. However, there
is this irritating vibration when I coast. I figure it's a driveline problem, worn
gearing, or u-joints? Vibration seems to be coming from the rear of vehicle, but
I'm not sure. The problem is only noticeable at freeway speeds (55-65 mph).
Answer: Check the U-joints as you may have one that is worn
and gets out of alignment while coasting. This would account for the vibration you
described.
Question: 1999 Chevrolet S10 Blazer 4 WD mileage: 90,000. I checked the
previous questions and maybe the solution to my problem is worn CV joints, but who
knows? The truck is in excellent condition. The problem that I'm having is at high
speeds say around 70-75 mph. There is a vibration in the front end with a little
shimmy in the steering wheel. The vibration causes the passenger seat to shake a
little, and I can feel it under my feet. The truck is in drivable condition though.
The vibration is on and off and was not present when I bought the truck new. The
truck has not been into an accident at all, has had several alignments; tires balanced
over and over, front end checked (everything is tight) upper and lower ball joints
replaced on both sides, etc. After having the ball joints replaced, it cured it
a little but the vibration is still present. I know of a few customers that are
experiencing the same problem. I've been trying to figure out what's causing this
to happen. The front end has been looked at quite a number of times and everything
is tight. I've put a lot of money into trying to fix the problem. I don't want to
spend any more money until I really find out what's going on.
Answer: You might try rotating the tires front to back first.
If that does not help, the CV joints are most likely your problem.
Question: 1998 Dodge Neon 2.0 dohc mileage: 119,000. I know Neons
are supposed to feel some vibration in the steering wheel when they hit 65 but my
Neon's vibrating so bad through the steering wheel that my arms are shaking all
over the place, at lower speeds there is also a slight vibration from the front-end.
What do you think the problem is and what could I do to fix it? Thank you
Answer: Check the tires and rims to make sure they are balanced properly
and the rims are not bent. Check for tire cord separation and check the wheel
alignment.
Question: 1997 Honda Accord LX 2.2L mileage: 107,725. I began noticing
a strong front-end vibration, which occurs when I depress the brakes, whether at
higher speeds for necessary rapid braking, or in routine braking at 30 mph or less.
The car is usually driven in the city, both stop-and-go and freeway.
This car doesn't have ABS. This is the first real problem I have had with
an unusually good vehicle over the years. Is this problem related to the brakes,
or would you suggest I look at some other possible cause? Thank you very much
for your help.
Answer: Your vibration while braking is probably caused by the front
rotors not being true. Re-machining, the front rotors should fix your problem.
Replace the rotors if they are below the minimum thickness to be turned. Also,
torque lug nuts so as to not distort the brake rotors.
Question: 1999 Nissan Frontier pickup 4 cyl standard mileage: 129,000.
There's a vibration/rattle coming from under/behind the steering column, around
the pedals only after reaching speeds of 60 mph. Above 60 mph, the vibration
increases in frequency and volume. Releasing the accelerator causes
this noise to stop but the noise starts as soon as you press the accelerator again.
The noise also stops when turning on the air conditioner. Advice has
been from the u-joint to the tachometer cable, but a Nissan dealer told me that
the Nissan truck does not have a tachometer cable, that it is electrical.
Any advice as to where to start looking for the problem would be appreciated.
Answer: Check the tension of the fan belts, as one may be loose.
Question: 1998 Dodge Neon 2.0 dohc mileage: 119,000. I know Neons
are supposed to feel some vibration in the steering wheel when they hit 65 but my
Neon�s vibrating so bad through the steering wheel that my arms are shaking all
over the place, at lower speeds there is also a slight vibration from the front-end.
What do you think the problem is and what could I do to fix it? Thank you
Answer: Check the tires and rims to make sure they are balanced properly
and the rims are not bent. Check for tire cord separation and check the wheel
alignment.
Question: 1997 Honda Accord LX 2.2L mileage: 107,725. I began noticing
a strong front-end vibration, which occurs when I depress the brakes, whether at
higher speeds for necessary rapid braking, or in routine braking at 30 mph or less.
The car is usually driven in the city, both stop-and-go and freeway.
This car doesn't have ABS. This is the first real problem I have had with
an unusually good vehicle over the years. Is this problem related to the brakes,
or would you suggest I look at some other possible cause? Thank you very much
for your help.
Answer: Your vibration while braking is probably caused by the front
rotors not being true. Re-machining, the front rotors should fix your problem.
Replace the rotors if they are below the minimum thickness to be turned. Also,
torque lug nuts so as to not distort the brake rotors.
Question: 1999 Nissan Frontier pickup 4 cyl standard mileage: 129,000.
There's a vibration/rattle coming from under/behind the steering column, around
the pedals only after reaching speeds of 60 mph. Above 60 mph, the vibration
increases in frequency and volume. Releasing the accelerator causes
this noise to stop but the noise starts as soon as you press the accelerator again.
The noise also stops when turning on the air conditioner. Advice has
been from the u-joint to the tachometer cable, but a Nissan dealer told me that
the Nissan truck does not have a tachometer cable, that it is electrical.
Any advice as to where to start looking for the problem would be appreciated.
Answer: Check the tension of the fan belts, as one may be loose.
Question: 1994 Cadillac Coupe Deville 4.1 V8 mileage: 94,332. My
Car has started vibrating hard when I drive it. It also drives slower.
I can barely reach 70 mph. Sometimes it feels like if it is going to turn off, when
I�m going up hill. When I�m stopping to park I accelerates a little by itself. The
Fuel data signals very poor mileage and I think it is starting to burn motor oil.
It also lets out a bit of smoke. Does it sound like high fuel pressure?
Or a bad EGR valve? What do you think it could be?
Answer: Check the catalytic converter to make sure it is not
�plugged� or restricted. Your car is equipped with a computer controlled engine
management system. An independent auto service center can scan your computer
for fault or error codes. The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning
components.
Question: 1999 Mercury Cougar V6 mileage: 127,000. I have noted
a vibration in the steering column when I apply the brakes. The greater the
speed, the bigger the vibration. I have had the brakes checked, tires rotated
& balanced and my alignment is good. Any ideas what to check next?
Answer: Check for worn front-end components, lower ball joints,
tie rod ends, etc.
Question: 1999 Acura Integra, mileage: 120,000. Strange vibration.
5 spd trans, in 3rd gear accelerating hard from 35 mph to 60 mph, engine oscillates
and brings steering wheel and gearshift vibration to extreme. Can be felt
in other gears. I have balanced tires, cut rotors, replaced front center motor
mount, and reduced vibration by 50%. It seems root cause of vibration still
exists. On rack with brakes applied and torque applied to drive line engine
seems to set up an oscillation when brakes and engine speed simulate road condition
noted above. Found right upper motor mount body securing bolt shifted to left
side of car (tight), when loosened motor shifted to right side of car and some of
the vibration was eliminated. It does not appear that axle shafts are bent
or Michelin tires have hidden defects. Note: rack test was with and without
tires --still vibration. Has anyone seen this problem before?
Please help. Thanks!
Answer: Yes we have seen similar problems. The CV joints
on the drive axles are probably worn out. Replacing them should fix your problem.
Question: 1999 Ford Ranger 2X4 2.9L mileage: 83,000. At 25-2800
rpm, I get a vibration in the engine regardless if it is in gear or not. I have
checked the harmonic balancer by setting it at TDC and checking the distributor
to see if it is pointing at the No. 1 plug. It's OK. The balancer shows no signs
of wobble, slippage or deteriorated rubber. I have removed the belts to check the
power steering, alternator, water pump and fan. I have checked for parts rubbing
and I have tightened the pressure plate bolts. What's left? HELP!!!
Answer: If a major tune-up has not been done recently, this could
be the cause of your problem. Replace the spark plugs, plug wires, fuel and
air filters, etc. Also, replace the oxygen sensor. In addition, service
the fuel injection system. Clean the carbon deposits from the throttle bore
and idle passages.
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