Strange vibration when holding at 50 MPH?

Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 HONDA CRV
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 136,000 MILES
When holding at 50mph in top gear, 2k rpms, there is a shudder as if you're driving over a washboard road. I think it's up front but can't be sure. Inspected all 4-wheel bearings and suspension and steering components. Driveshaft U joints are okay. Right side CV axle has very slight play. In all other gears holding at 2k there is no vibration. If you accelerate quickly from a stop the transmission shifts fine, albeit high rpms, 7k-8k well into redline, and the engine sounds strong with no loss of power or vibration. When it occurs if you let off or accelerate slightly it goes away. I had another 2003 CRV that had a similar issue, but the left side inner CV boot was torn, and grease had leaked out. Never repaired it. I've heard this is usually the right CV axle and a common problem with aftermarket axles. The only suspension components in question are the rear end links but I don't believe they're the cause.
Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025 AT 12:01 AM

17 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 52,256 POSTS
Hey Jeff,

How are you doing? Yes, the CV axle might cause this, but I would service the transmission and rotate the tires front to rear. Usually when the CV axles go bad, they will cause a vibration when accelerating only. The shutter sounds like the TCC is not holding like it should so fluid dump and fill should help it.

Here is a guide to help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-service-an-automatic-transmission

Here is how the job is done for your car. Always use Honda ATF DW-1 (ATF-Z1 has been replaced with ATF DW-1, Honda Service News Nov 2010) Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF). Using a non-Honda ATF can affect shift. Check out the images (below). Let us know how it goes.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025 AT 11:10 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 481 POSTS
Thank you. So, this transmission has no filter. Simple drain and refill. In the photo what is bolt B just out of curiosity?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025 AT 1:45 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 481 POSTS
Has anyone ever used ShudderStop in one of these transmissions?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025 AT 4:01 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 481 POSTS
Changed fluid, rotated tires and still have the same vibration at 50 MPH, 2,000 RPMs when holding steady. 100 RPMs either direction and it disappears.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 3rd, 2025 AT 10:58 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 52,256 POSTS
Okay, let's run the codes to see if any are stored?

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/checking-a-service-engine-soon-or-check-engine-light-on-or-flashing

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Friday, July 4th, 2025 AT 9:07 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 481 POSTS
No codes present, it had several O2 codes, cat code before repairing a severely torn intake hose. Codes were cleared and remain clear. I was thinking of disconnecting the driveshaft just to isolate the problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 5th, 2025 AT 4:23 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 52,256 POSTS
It can be the transfer case that is having an issue. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 5th, 2025 AT 12:23 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 481 POSTS
I disconnected the driveshaft and the same vibration occurred at 50mph, 2k rpms, except it was worse. Rechecked rear end. Minimal movement in transfer case mount. At a complete loss?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 9th, 2025 AT 6:43 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 52,256 POSTS
Did you try rotating the tires front to rear? Also, I have seem worn out lower ball joints cause this as well, I would check them.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, July 9th, 2025 AT 5:57 PM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 481 POSTS
I did rotate the tires and ball joints seemed fine. Only vibrates at specific speed and rpm.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 9th, 2025 AT 6:59 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 52,256 POSTS
Okay, when the car is vibrating put the car in neutral and see if the vibration is still there?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+2
Thursday, July 10th, 2025 AT 9:29 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 481 POSTS
Shifting into neutral or 2 the vibration disappears. Are we suspecting the transmission or something else?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, July 15th, 2025 AT 7:12 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 52,256 POSTS
I have seen a bent piston rod cause a vibration at a particular RPM, while in neutral can you rev the engine to the RPM that it vibrates at on the road to see if it will do it while not moving?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Wednesday, July 16th, 2025 AT 9:49 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 481 POSTS
It only does it in high gear at 2k rpm @50mph. 2k rpm any other gear it's fine. Next time I'm by the vehicle I can try but the engine sounds very good. Just to be clear 2k in neutral?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, July 16th, 2025 AT 12:00 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 52,256 POSTS
Yes, rev the engine is see if you can feel the vibration.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, July 17th, 2025 AT 9:55 AM
Tiny
JEFF HERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 481 POSTS
Funny thing, I have a friend with another 2003 CRV with 328k miles on it and he was mentioning a similar issue. I drove the car and the same vibration at 50mph and 2k rpm happens. I checked the car in park and no vibration at all. Reved to 4500 rpms. Is there a difference checking it in neutral? I can ask the other owner to do that.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, July 19th, 2025 AT 11:07 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 52,256 POSTS
Yes, this can help isolate the engine from the vibration problem.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, July 20th, 2025 AT 10:11 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.