Wheel vibration at high speeds and creaking suspension

Tiny
MIKE HUDON
  • MEMBER
  • 2012 ACURA RDX
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 111,000 MILES
I bought the vehicle listed above 9,000 miles ago and during a pre-purchase inspection a mechanic noticed a minor vibration when accelerating. He pinpointed it to the left and right front axle shaft assembly so a mechanic replaced the CV boots, CV joints, and left/right axle. Everything was fine up until 109,000 miles I started hearing suspension creaking when going over speed bumps, which now occurs over any minor bumps really. It sounds like it's coming from the front left side but more towards the center of car. I also started noticing vibration/wobble in the steering wheel at higher speeds (65 MPH). I've had one mechanic say the vibration/wobble was from unbalanced tires (it wasn't. Still occurred after balancing) and another say front inner joints being worn out was the issue and should replace both front axles. I don’t see how this is possible if they were replaced 9,000 miles ago? Anyways, I had yet another mechanic say the creaking in particular is likely from the struts, but I'm not so sure about that either. There doesn't seem to be any residual bounce after bumps and I don't see any leaks. Though they are pretty rusty. I'm curious what could actually be causing the creaking and the wheel wobble... Something isn’t adding up here. Looking for the suspect part.
Thursday, August 5th, 2021 AT 8:02 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
These issues may not be related. Even if they started about the same time they may not be the same.

If the wheels and tires are balanced and the issue is still there then the next thing to do is check wheel hub and rotor runout. Basically if the hub is worn out if will actually start wobbling or spinning unevenly. Meaning the top and bottom of the bearing are not true and it causes a vibration.

I am attaching the process from the manual and they have you check this runout on the wheel to find out if this is an issue. If there is an issue on the wheel then that is the vibration you are feeling. At that point you need to find out what is causing the runout. Is it the wheel, rotor, or hub? Basically a small amount of runout on the hub, will be amplified by the time you get out to the wheel.

As for the noise, that can be a strut that is weak but not causing any abnormal bouncing. It is unlikely that a suspension noise when hitting bumps is also causing a vibration.

I would suggest starting with this and see what the results are and go from there.
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Saturday, August 7th, 2021 AT 9:53 AM
Tiny
MIKE HUDON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Hi, when I said wheel I had meant steering wheel, that's my bad. Do you still think that runout may be the issue?
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Tuesday, August 10th, 2021 AT 6:50 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Yes, but that would mean it would just be the front tires that could have this issue.

Also, that brings in loosing steering components like tie rods or mounts. These could also cause a creaking noise but that would be more pronounce only when turning. So if this happens when hitting bumps and not turning then that would not make sense for this.

Here is a guide that talks specifically about this issue:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/steering-wheel-shakes-when-accelerating-or-braking

Again, I suspect you have two issues but let me know if you have questions on this.

Thanks
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Wednesday, August 11th, 2021 AT 2:19 PM

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