devitek

I've been trying to figure this one out for awhile. Sometimes, when I'm driving somewhere between 50-60mph, I'll get this nasty vibration in the car--not so bad that I can't hold the wheel, but it's a challenge. The thing is, it doesn't happen consistently. At first, I though it might be wheels out of balance. But my experience with that is that the vibration will be consistent. So now, I'm wondering if it's something else, maybe drivetrain related. If I take it out of gear at those speeds, I still have the vibration. Plus, it seems to happen after coming out of a gradual turn. I never notice it within the first 10 minutes of driving, so it's like something is heating up enough to get loose. I dunno. I'm kinda stumped. Or I just need to get my wheel balance checked...

Does anyone have any thoughts/suggestions?

lumberjk3

Easy enough to have your balance checked. Dynamic imbalance will cause a vibration at specific speeds rather than throughout the range. I'd rule that out first as a possible cause.

Tranquil

iTrader: (1)

Same thing happened with my driving instructor's jeep. It could have something to do with the tires. Either the pressure or the way the tread is worn and how it hits the pavement at a specific speed. Changed the tires and it was gone. YMMV though. It could be much simpler than this.

Directfreak

iTrader: (2)

One of two things.

1) Tranny Mount is bad

2) U-Joints have play.
GEt under the car and yank it in all directions, and see if there is some slop.

Kentetsu

What is the condition of the tires? Are they in good shape? Any strange wear on them?

I had a similar issue that was due to a slipping belt in one of the tires.....just a thought.

Also, any kind of slop when you yank on the wheels side to side or top/bottom would be a bad sign too.

viper1_20012004

I am no expert but this is what I think

if you can feel it in the steering wheel, maybe has some thing to do with tires or bushings

if it feels like the whole car is shaking maybe drive train (u joint or something) or bushings in the rear

13B4port

i can tell you rught now that it's your alignment. either one of a few things is going on. Toe is off, you can tell by the inside or outside of your tires wearing differentley. the camber is off. you would be able to tell again by the sameway. caster wouldn't effect this unless it's pulling to a certian direction. you could also cehck the wheel bearings. make sure the wheels are tighetened down and put the car in the air. try to move teh wheel by pulling on the top and then pulling on the bottom. make sure your shocks are good before you do this because if they are bad the wheel will move. if the wheel bearings are bad, it'll move. back to that alignment. if it's toe the marking on the tire where is it's woren down will look like a tire after a huge burn out. the treds will look like they are "pushed" or "melted" if it's camber then it'll just look woren normally. hope that helps

devitek

I haven't noticed any unusual wear in the tires, although they could use a change soon. It's happened since I got the car a year ago. Suspension in the driver side is sagging a bit, which might contribute to the problem I imagine. I'll have to get under the car and check for play. Could be related to a wheel bearing too, I just will have to take some time to check it all. My apartment complex won't allow any work on vehicles in their parking lot, so I've got to drive out to my folks house to do any work...really sucks, 'cause once I get there I usually have to let the car cool off before doing much with it. But all your tips are helpful and I intend on checking as much of it as possible. Thanks guys.