Hey guys,

I've been having a front end shaking problem around 50-60mph +. When I go to those speeds, I can feel the car shaking through the steering wheel and just by sitting. Sometimes it isn't bad at all, sometimes it can get really bad. This has been an existing problem since the beginning of having the car.

At some point I had a problem with my rear tire, so I bought two new tires for the rear, and also requested that they do a front end alignment and a balance... Well, the shaking still is a problem. I'm becomming even more worried due to the fact that with my new job I will be doing a LOT of driving and such, so I need my car to be in top shape.

And, I don't know if these are related, but if I am going slow with the steering wheel all the way to the left, I hear a grinding noise of what sounds like my passenger front tire grinding against the wall...

Grinding could be a worn CV joint though they usually click. Sounds like a classic "tire out of balance" though might be a tread seperating. I would have the front end checked by a tire company you trust.

50-60 mph is the common harmonic for a 15" tire. How many miles on the car ?

I had a bad vibration in the front end that came and went somewhat, similar to what is being described here. New tires all around cured it. Mine was worst right around 70 mph, and I too have 15" wheels. The car didn't really vibrate much at all at 55-60 mph, at least not compared to 70-75 mph.

I'd suggest putting the two new tires on the front, and see if that changes anything. They really should be there anyway, since they probably have more tread than the rears.

As for the "rubbing" noise, have you checked to make sure that the plastic fender liner is firmly attached to the body and frame?

Well I've looked under there and haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary. Regarding the miles, I have just under 141,000 miles. Yeah with all of the driving I'm going to do I will invest in new front end tires... this shaking won't cause any more problems though will it? Last thing I need is a tire flying off at 60mph going down a busy highway.

Dan: Do you happen to have a torque wrench? Have you checked the torque on the wheels [just thought of this]?


-justin

they could have screwed up your alignment and balnce. I had it done to me at Pepboys. Did it do this before the work?
As peviously suggested try putting the two new tires on the front and see if that cures it. Then you know if its bad tires or balancing.

Yes, the car has been shaking since I first got it, and since i thought it was an alignment / balance issue, I requested that they do them when they replace my tires since they're already working on that anyways... Hmm, don't have any jacks besides the one I have with my car to be able to switch the rears to the front, hehe.

That'll do, man. That factory jack comes in real handy well pulling/installing the exhaust.

Just takes a little time.. that'* all.


-justin

Yep, using nothing but the factory screw jack and the spacesaver spare, you can rotate the tires. Works fine for me, just takes time.

It doesn't really sound like a loose wheel, since it'* been this way for quite a while. Those usually get worse and worse until the wheel holes become deformed, or studs break, or other really bad things happen. It'* generally not a "been that way since I got her" kind of problem.

Well, not necessarily, but maybe. I don't see it causing any major, sudden, catastrophic failure, but it may wear the tires faster, or suspension bushings, things of that nature. It might just stress and wear on some of the components between the source of the vibration and the rest of the car. I'd fix it, especially with the amount of driving that you're looking to do. Try the tire thing, let us know what happens.

So how do you rotate the tires? I know there'* something about how the treads have to face a special way or something like that, I know there'* some key thing with a rotation so I need to know what'* what. I just hope this helps and not hurts, because I know both my rear tires are new.