Had a bad vibration. Tried everything. Finally had one cv axle replaced, and it is 80% better, Seems it is hard to tell when a cv needs replaceing. The one replaced seemed ok. Question is, would it make sense to go ahead and replace the other cv, and maybe that would take care of the rest of the vibration? Is it obvious when they need replaceing, or are they so senitive that they can be worn a small undetectable bit, and need replacing.

2001 bonneville Se, 113,000 miles.

Often the wheel bearing is bad on the same side as the bad axle.

Thanks. I replaced those not too long ago. My mechanic said he thought they were fine. He is the one that replaced both of them. There is no play whatsoever in them.

It'* just about impossible to tell if they are bad by looking at them. And they can be vibrating without any play at all that you can detect by pushing on the wheel. A bad axle can ruin a good wheel bearing. It'* just a possibility.. not a probability.

So....how do you tell if they are bad?

If the vibration changes slightly when you turn the steering wheel, this can be an indicator.

That'* exactly how I figured out the one I replaced was bad. When I turned right going uphill from a slow start, it really vibrated. The vibration now is only at 60-70 mph, and it'* hard to turn much without a wreck at that speed. At a low speed, it does not vibrate.

I've only had a vibration like you describe once and it was a cv.

Looks like I need to live with the vibration that is still there, or replace the other cv axle doesn't it. I guess that'* all that'* left to try. Sure hope it'* right.
Thanks,
Bill