low speed vibration
badgolferman
coming from the right front area and isn't apparent anymore after
getting above 45 MPH. I suppose it could be a tire but am suspicious
of the motor mounts and/or front axle. Any hints on how to determine
the cause before taking it in?
Reasoned Insanity
"Conscience" <nob...@gov.com> wrote in message
news:go65un$gpa$1...@news.albasani.net...
> On 2009-02-26 05:25:49 -0800, "badgolferman"
> the engine while someone else starts the car. If it wobbles a lot, that
> might indicate a bad motor mount. Another possibility is a bad strut.
>
> Good luck. I'm outta here until next week. Got a plane to catch.
>
What really scary is having a motor mount bolt come out and to have the
engine resting on a fender. That happened in my first car.
C. E. White
"badgolferman" <REMOVETHISb...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:xn0g6v8l...@reader80.motzarella.org...
My first step would be to rotate the tires front to rear and see if
that changes the vibration.
Any change in the vibration when turing, accelerating, or applying the
brakes? What happens if you use a lower gear (assuming this is an
automatic). Where do you feel the vibration (steering wheel, body
shake, etc).
Have you checked the boots on the front axle? How many miles on the
car? If the boots ae good, and you have less than 100k miles I would
be surprised if it was the axle. If you have a lot of miles, have you
considered it might be the ball joints or tie rod ends?
Ed
badgolferman
>
>"badgolferman" <REMOVETHISb...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>news:xn0g6v8l...@reader80.motzarella.org...
>>My 97 Camry has developed a vibration at low speeds. It seems to be
>>coming from the right front area and isn't apparent anymore after
>>getting above 45 MPH. I suppose it could be a tire but am
>>suspicious of the motor mounts and/or front axle. Any hints on how
>>to determine the cause before taking it in?
>
>My first step would be to rotate the tires front to rear and see if
>that changes the vibration.
Mine too.
>Any change in the vibration when turing, accelerating, or applying
>the brakes? What happens if you use a lower gear (assuming this is an
>automatic). Where do you feel the vibration (steering wheel, body
>shake, etc).
Don't remember if there is a change. I feel the vibration in the
steering wheel and the body. The steering wheel wiggles a bit left to
right and the vibration can be felt down by my feet.
>Have you checked the boots on the front axle? How many miles on the
>car? If the boots ae good, and you have less than 100k miles I would
>be surprised if it was the axle. If you have a lot of miles, have you
>considered it might be the ball joints or tie rod ends?
I checked the boots last time I changed the oil and they seemed fine.
The car has 160K miles. I am worried of the mechanical components you
mentioned also.
C. E. White
Well with that sort of mileage, it could be almost anything, but I'd
still think the tires are the most likely culprit.
Years ago I had a Fiesta with high mileage that developed a front end
vibration. Like you, I suspected the front axles. Even though the
boots were good, I decided to clean and regrease the CV joints. And
this eliminated the vibration. My theory was that the grease in the
joints had gotten old and the joints were binding slightly, casuing
the vibration. I guess I was right since repacking the joints fixed
the problem.
Ed
ransley
> On 2009-02-26 05:25:49 -0800, "badgolferman"
> watch the engine while someone else starts the car. If it wobbles a
> lot, that might indicate a bad motor mount. Another possibility is a
> bad strut.
>
> Good luck. I'm outta here until next week. Got a plane to catch.
Agree, but maybe its the CV joint, mine was a tire with a broken belt
nobody could see even with the tire off the rim,
Ray O
Besides rotating the tire, check tire pressure. A tire that is very low on
pressure can cause a wobbling sensation. Look for mud caked on the wheels.
Jack up the front of the car, support it properly on jack stands, and check
to see if there is any play in the front wheels, which could indicate a worn
ball joint or rack end. Make sure the top of the strut is still connected
to the strut mount on top of the wheel well in the engine compartment.
Bad motor mounts generally cause vibrations or noises at idle or when the
weight of the car shifts under acceleration or braking.
--
Ray O
(correct punctuation to reply)
badgolferman
All my tires were 7-8 psi below where I normally keep them. I pumped
them up this morning and it seems to be riding better but my commute
was short so I'll check again later. Thanks for the tip, hopefully
that was the culprit.
P.S. The check engine light has not returned in two weeks. Maybe the
shift solenoid has healed itself (keeping fingers crossed).
ACAR
wrote:
> All my tires were 7-8 psi below where I normally keep them. I pumped
> them up this morning and it seems to be riding better but my commute
> was short so I'll check again later.
how old are those tires?
ransley
wrote:
> Ray O wrote:
>
> >"badgolferman" <REMOVETHISbadgolfer...@gmail.com> wrote in message
> >news:xn0g6va9...@reader80.motzarella.org...
> >>C. E. White wrote:
>
>
> - Show quoted text -
If you fill up gas with the motor running sometimes the check engine
light will come on and stay on for many cycles
badgolferman
I was referring to this prior conversation regarding the Check Engine
light.
Ray O
thanks for the update!