thisguyaves

Hi friends, just picked up an 02 EP3 bone stock 100% with known engine problems. Cam journals were starved of oil and stripped to dust, so new engine went in. K20A3 130k on the motor, 150k on the chassis. Motor was clean inside and in time, but I replaced the spark plugs, clutch and flywheel, oil change, timing chain and tensioner for good measure. TDC perfect, good compression. New half shaft, no tears in the CV axles. Fired right up first try after swap, no CEL. Transmission goes into every gear with no issues. Wheels spin easy and free, no wheel play on the bearings. I say all this so we can rule out the drive train being the cause.

When I accelerate in any gear from 15-55 mph (haven't had the nerve to go faster) is shakes. It's not a vibration, but a clear, pronounced side-to-side wobble, and it feels about the same frequency regardless of speed, maybe 6-8 wobbles a second (scientific, I know.). The wheel does shake, but it does not drift side to side as if the alignment is bad. And this only happens when accelerating: coasting, braking, and maintaining speed are all smooth. The car had sat for a year before I got it. I intend to do the following:

-new tires, balanced wheels, alignment
-new front LCAs and ball joints/bushings
-new brake pads and rotors (more of a precaution, not sure if thatwould be related)

Is there anything else anyone could think of that would be the cause? I dropped the subframe for the engine swap, and the strut mounts/bearings seemed fine at the time, no tears in the bushing either. I figured the LCAs were the main culprit, but I wanted anyone else who had a similar issue to chime in if there was something different in their case.

bdienEPA2

Hello! New here and total shot in the dark but have you checked the motor mounts?

I never had this issue on my EP but I also own an Odyssey and I would get very similar issues you are describing. Terrible vibration only on acceleration. Turned out two of my motor mounts were bad and when replaced the vibration went away.

2x0

Replying as this sounds very similar to what I have been dealing with. I also have ruled out all drive train components, wheels and tires from being the issue. I saw the biggest improvement by replacing the engine mounts. It toned it down from shaking the car violently to just a vibration.

My next steps to try to get rid of it completely are new front LCA's, new bushings and possibly tie rods and steering rack if that doesn't resolve it.

thisguyaves

All engine mounts *looked* ok when I did the swap, but PU inserts would probably be a good idea regardless, thanks for mentioning it.

bdienEPA2

accordaffair

I would get the front end up on jack stands and get the wheels spinning in gear and see if the wobble is present there. Just be sure to be safe in doing it

thisguyaves

It wasn't as pronounced when accelerating down hill, not sure if taking all the load off would let me see something like that

accordaffair

Getting it up on jack stands could rule out if it's a suspension issue

thisguyaves

I have, and all bushings/ball joints look old but intact. Replacing them anyways.

thisguyaves

https://drive.google.com/open?id=16X...Wu9MGSRMxSWZg7 a few quick videos of what it's like in the car

accordaffair

Does it only shake in gear? Possible bad transmission?

thisguyaves

Yes, only in gear, but only under load. Maintaining speed in gear or decelerating is smooth. Local shop recommends tires first and foremost, so that's what I'll start with.

2x0

thisguyaves

Well, changed wheels/tires to a highway-worthy set from my other car that I know are balanced. It helped some, but definitely didn't solve my issue. Looked at my CV axle while I had the wheel off, and the universal joint feels broken. Allows the CV axle to shake/move about 1/8-1/4 inch in any direction. I think that's my problem.

thisguyaves

Changed LCAs, bushings, ball joints, and passenger side CV axle, shaking solved. I now can hear a clunk, sounds like the driver side strut/top hat.

holmesnmanny

looks like you got the axle issue solved but for cars that came stock with an axle that had a dynamic dampener on the shaft then using an aftermarket without a dynamic dampener, which never come with it, will cause vibrations on acceleration

thisguyaves

I was prepared for that, and I know what that feels like, but I haven't felt it yet.

accordaffair

the noise on bumps could be sway bar links, I'm certain that's what's causing the noise on mine, but I haven't gotten under the car to check em yet

thisguyaves

They didn't look bad when I changed LCAs, but I'll check again when I change wheels.

accordaffair

They should make a clink noise if they've failed when you tap hard on them. I've learned that they can be a bitch to remove the old ones though.

thisguyaves

Well, it doesn't sound like that, but they're due to be replaced anyways

Gian Limery

2x0

Just replaced the manual rack and tie rods on my CRX to hopefully rule out anything steering related. I've now replaced essentially everything that holds the wheels in place lol. Come spring time I guess we'll find out if that was it.