2003 Honda Pilot bouncing vibration

RONMAYS

MEMBER
2003 HONDA PILOT
6 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
157,000 MILES

My Pilot has developed a vibration in the front end. This has gradually gotten worse over the last two years. It doesn't occur every time we drive it but often; about 1/3 of the time. It begins as the vehicle accelerates normally from a standstill up to cruise. It starts about 25-35 mph and lasts about 4-5 seconds. It feels and sounds exactly like the front tires are rolling over rumble strips in the road. The front tires bob up and down and the steering wheel shakes up and down. It stops if I let up on the gas.

What could this be?

5 Replies

RACEFAN966

MECHANIC
5,029 POSTS

Ok I would be doing some checking to see what is loose. I would check the front drive axles and front drive line ujoints. I would check the tires them selves have them rotated if needed to see if it moves to the rear if so it is a bad tire. I would check ball joints and front struts and front end bushing too. Can you tell what side it is coming from? I would first have the front tires checked and ballanced then rotate them see if moves this will eliminate it being a tire issure. Let me know how it goes.

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Tuesday, July 7th, 2009 AT 9:39 AM

JILL6624

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1 POST

Have you figured it out yet, mine does the same exact thing?

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Monday, September 21st, 2009 AT 9:17 PM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,815 POSTS

Hi jill6624,

If you have not done anything yet, I would suggest checking the drive trains.

The symptoms seems to indicate imbalance in the drive axles. Check the propeller shaft U joints and CV shaft inboard joints. Lack of lubrication and wear would cause the problem described.

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Monday, September 21st, 2009 AT 11:42 PM

HONDA TECH 1818

MECHANIC
536 POSTS

Maybe engine hesitation or surging under light acceleration, the engine will hesitates or surging around 30-60mph if you have a faulty EGR valve.

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Thursday, October 29th, 2009 AT 6:38 PM

OLIVEHEADS

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5 POSTS

Ours is too. 2004 Pilot. Anyone having any luck out there with some shudder type jerking or wind sounds coming from the engine? Sounds very simliar to the April 04 recall, but I can't find any help?

Thanks,
Oliveheads