Front end vibration *update*

[jelloslug]

I am getting intermittent front end vibration starting at about 70 MPH. The vibration is so bad sometimes that I would be afrade to go much faster and some times its not there at all. I have new outer tie rod ends and the inners are in fair condition (could stand to be replaced but no low speed popping), the tires were recently balenced and no weights have come off, and the car was aligned not too long ago. I am not seeing any odd wear paturns on the tires, no crack rotors or damaged wheels, and everything seems tight in the front end. What eles besides tires or wheels could even cause vibrations like this?

<small>[ April 08, 2003, 09:54 AM: Message edited by: jelloslug ]</small>

 

[qiksho]

I Had a cv axle make my car vibrate at around 45 mph once...after 65 it went away, but at 45 it damn near would put me in the ditch.

This was a replacement I bought from NAPA...lasted 300 miles. I guess they forgot to rebuild it

 

[SHO_Driver]

Got my front tires rebalanced cause of those vibrations. Even though they balanced on the machine the mechanic pointed out that the tire shifted from side to side when spun. He blamed it on a defective tire and it still shakes.

 

[Doug Waschenko]

I've got the same problem, same symptoms. New tires, new everything, comes at 70mph.
I noticed that I am missing one of the plastic push bolts that hold the front fairing (lower nose) to the metal brace and I suspect that it is airodynamic vibration at that speed. It makes the entire dash board vibrate.
I'm embarassed to admit it but I've been looking for the cause for years and can't find it.
Ford wouldn't fix it under waranty because the mechanic wasn't permited to verify the complaint because it was over 55mph.

 

[jelloslug]

I put on a bunch of new parts on the rear suspension this weekend (new GTP control arms, TPR bushing all around, and an H brace) and the vibration is gone. I think it was the rear tires, they were badly worn on the inside from having bent control arms.

 

[poissonverte]

I had the same problem.. Awful vibration at 75-80.. Sucked it up till I got new tires, which I needed anyways, and that fixed the problem.. Happily saved $$$ by not replacing suspension parts left and right..

 

[bradman]

My 89 has a bad vibration during medium/hard acceleration. If I accelerate slowly there is little or no vibration, but the harder I take off, the worse it is. Happens in all gears and all speeds, but only while accelerating. Inner and outer tie rods are all good. Tires are like new and same thing happened with the old set of tires too. Ball joints seem pretty tight.

Could this be subframe bushings, control arm, or bad CV joint?

Any ideas are appreciated.

 

[JaySHOguy]

Bradman, Check all of the motor mounts and tranny mount. My '89 has a busted front mount, and it makes a hellova lot of noise.

 

[bradman]

My 89 has a bad vibration during medium/hard acceleration. If I accelerate slowly there is little or no vibration, but the harder I take off, the worse it is. Happens in all gears and all speeds, but only while accelerating. Inner and outer tie rods are all good. Tires are like new and same thing happened with the old set of tires too. Ball joints seem pretty tight.

Could this be subframe bushings, control arm, or bad CV joint?

Any ideas are appreciated.

 

[ShoMeWhatIWantToKnow]

I've seen wheels that ahve been torqued down to tight warped and cause vibrations like that. Mostly on DSM(Diamond Star Motors aka Talon, Eclipse and Laser) cars because of the wheel being aluminum. Warped rotors can cause it to sake after braking hard then accelerating. CV axles that bad can do it too.

 

[bradman]

Well, it's not the wheels or rotors. I'm afraid it might be a CV joint. Not really a job I want to have to do.