1997 Plymouth Voyager Side to side swaying or vibratiions

Tiny
CITYDUDE
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 47,800 MILES
Recently while driving at low or high speeds the van has developed a rather strange tendency to shake badly. It seems get much worse when you go over a bum and especially more worse if you go over a bump and are going down hill. When it happens it starts to shake from side to side and the vibration is much more noticeable in the seat. You get a bit of vibration in the steering wheel much not much, its mostly in the seat area is where you really feel it. I did notice that if I steer to the right a bit it will diminish and sometimes stop. Applying the brakes has no effect on it. It almost feels like the body is loose from its mounts! I replaced one tire with a used one from an auto wrecker just before this started, tire was balanced, is a radial, but not the same brand as the other three.)

So far I have not come up with a plausible reason, but am leaning towards the cause being a loose ar worn inner and outer tire rod in combination with worn front struts. Anyone have nay ideas? Or suggestions, would be appreciated.
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009 AT 9:18 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
Hi there,

I would be getting the struts and shocks checked as I feel that this is body motion caused by faulty shockers.

Mark (mhpautos)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 AT 1:39 AM
Tiny
CITYDUDE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
You may be right as the struts have never been replaced since I've had it, and I go it it at about 200K. I did have a collision about 5 years ago that caused damage to the pax side strut and had to replace it. The drivers side was fine and did not need replacing at that time, so that may also be part of the problem. Rear shocks were done about 3 years ago. I will check on the struts to see if they have any bounce to them. I cannot find any loose components so far will test the tie rods and see what happens.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 AT 2:14 AM
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
  • 31,937 POSTS
OK, do that and if you have any question re post for more assistance.

Mark
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009 AT 2:18 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links