when i drive over 20/30mph, my rx shakes/vibrates from the front right wheel area. i've done some research and what came up was a lot of talk regarding the driveshaft. now that it's been getting worse recently i'm hesitant to drive it. if it is the driveshaft, how would i go about checking that? also, i know my ball bearings are old.. could that be them stiffening up? what are the symotoms of stiff ball bearings? any suggestions on this?

 

What makes you so sure it's coming from the right front wheel area? It's hard to tell where vibrations are coming from - the car chassis's will take care of transmitting any vibration.

In order to check the drive shaft you need to see if the u-joints have any play in them. It could also be out of balance.

I don't really know how to check wheel bearings.

Have you considered something as extreme as flat-spotted tires and\or a bad differential unit? Happened to me

Post up your results - others will be searching for cases and their solutions in the future!

Oh and get the leather shift boot from eBay...

 

Err, wheel alignment, or balancing?

 

tranny mount or diff. mount..possible driveshaft. check all three.

:AA:

 

hows the right front tire?

 

Check the Play in the Front wheels,by Jacking the car up and grabbing the Tire at the Nine and Three O'clock position.see if there is play,also check play from the 12 and six o'clock position.this indicates either Ball joint or Tie rods.Also Pop the grease cap off and Remove the Cotter Pin,and see if the Wheel bearing Nut is loose.Just tighten it up Until SNUG,and enough to put the cotter pin back in without Overtightening the Nut,but Not that it is loose and creates Wheel bearing Play.The Back axle Nuts can be checked also,But you will have to "create" another Nut stopper point,by using a Blunt Chisel to Bend teh lip of the axle nut so that it won't come off Inadvertently.Check the Wheel Axles,for Ripped boots and Damage,excessive play.the Driveshaft can be inspected to for Slop at the U-joints.The Differential Mounting Points should be checked for Loose nuts/bad Rubber bushings. at the TWO main mounting points(the "ears" I call them).There is also a Front Differential mount where the drive shaft connects to the differential.although Hard to see,If it Breaks or is Done,then it tends to Give you Clunking under acceleration or deceleration..Like a Banging on the floor of the rear of the car..I hope some of those Suggestions may help you track down what Plagues you.

 

^^ he said it all... balancing, looseness in suspension, motor mounts, tranny mounts...

 

alignment, tie rod
if it was the the u joints on the drive shaft it would clunk when u first start moving and when u start slowing down
take it to a mechanic have them check the front end alignment if its not off then it wont cost u money and they will also check the tie rods

 

What do you guys mean when referencing the word "play". I'm just not familiar with the terminology.

 

play refers to back and forth movement experienced when grabbing the wheel by the two points he said and twisting it side to side... if theres play you will feel a "clunk" feeling through the wheel

 

thanks. i'll definitely check all that out.

 

So far, here's the synopsis: I checked for play at those 2 positions. First I spun the tire and noticed minimal friction. Second I pushed in at 9 and pulled out at 3 and heard a clunk like it's a little loose. The same happened at 12 and 6. I also noticed the boot on this front passenger side is ripped open, but the wheel axle itself looked very clean and undamaged. I have yet to take the wheel off because the jack kit I've been using is for my Honda Civic and the wrench doesn't fit over the lugs so I haven't inspected in there yet. A mechanic last spring told me when I got the car that the ball joints would be fine through the summer but towards the fall they'd probably need to be replaced. So far, what does all this mean? Take the wheel off and see what it all looks like I suppose?