I've got a 98 GSR. The car vibrates under acceleration but only between 55-65 mph. It's not the tires or wheels because I've changed out two new sets of tires now and two new sets of rims. It is speed dependant and not RPM. Any thoughts on what it might be?

thanks,
-Shing

 

Yeah, my car does the same thing. I'm guessing I might need a front end alignment.

 

Well I did have an alignment done.

So far this is what I've done:
2 new sets of tires
2 new sets of rims
1 alignment

It started all of a sudden... as in it wasn't there before, then started. I am guessing something could be lose. But I've been under the car twice and can't find anything lose. Could the struts be bad? Steering rack? The thing is, I noticed just now that the vibration is transmitted mostly from the chassis and not the steering wheel.... maybe something in the back is lose?

 

So if your coasting in neutral on the highway it vibrates? Or do you actually
have to be accellerating (on the gas) ?

I guess the chasis vibration would point to somthing in the rear of the vehicle.

So when you say you have new tires and rims, did you have the problem
before? Or was it after your new tires and rims? You may have just lost a
weight or someting?

Did you slam on your breaks recently?

 

COuld be bad axles. Or even a motor or tranny mount.

 

The problem is the axles, most likely the inner CV joint on one side took a crap. It happened on 2 separate occasions on my old Camry and both times it was the axle. Exact same symptoms you describe.

 

The problem started on my old tires. I thought perhaps it was time to replace the tires. That didn't work... so after 3-4 tries in balancing, I bought another set of GSR rims. That iddn't work, so now I have a different set of tires AND brand new rims... vibration is still there.

The vibration is only detectable under acceleration. If I coast, I don't feel anything.

I checked the engine and motor mount, they seem fine.

Other things that's been suggested:
bearings,
axles,
rotors - there are no usual warp rotor signs... brakes are smooth.

Is there anyway to test the axles without having to replace them?

This is going to get expensive if I just have to keep replacing parts.

Thanks!
-S

 

yeah I would put my money on axles... I bad mount would probably
be apparent at idle.

Can you have a look under the car? Are the boot torn? Are you hearing any clicking when turning sharp?

 

no, CV boots are fine and no clicking. I suppose the joints could still be toast.

 

Actually, a mechanic once told me that they somtimes rip the boot from the
inside out. So a torn boot is not always a warning sign. How old are they?

 

it is an axle, 100% sure.

You can check w/o removing parts, check your PM

 

Wow, thats crazy that you wnet out and bought new rims
and everything. You must have been super pissed when
the problem was still there. I would have flipped...

I've had plenty of bad wheel bearings and never experienced
any shaking before. Besides if said that it only happens when
accelerating that sort of rules out the bearings. Same with rotors.

How do you check? I would like to know too..

 

I am sure **** about "the driving experience" and vibrations are one of my number one annoyance. I was really pissed when the new tires and rims didn't fix the problem.

-s

 

Yeah the first time it happened on my old car, I about flipped out, because the vibration was so incredibly violent, I could see the entire car shaking before my eyes (steering wheel, dash, a-pillars, everything). It was also only between 55-75 mph, and only under load (throttle open). I had a shop replace a few things, including my pass. side axle, and all was better. About a year later it happened again, and that time it was my driver side axle. That time I replaced it myself.

 

i had the same problem....it was also my axles. especially if you drive hard, like me, your axles may be the problem. i have a 94rs and they seemed old and worn.

 

If its with Acceleration. Then its the Axle.... Most likely Inner CV joint it Torn... ^_~

 

hey patrick....how u check w/o removin da axel...i'm havin da same probs

 

Ok, the problem was the axle. Thanks Patrick. The thing is, the axle from the outside looks great. But the passanger side was it. Now everything is good.

 

Jack up the front of the car and get underneath, and watch the axle as you slowly move the wheel. if the axle joints are good, the axle and wheel will both move exactly the same w/ no play... if the joints are bad and there is some play, then the axle will not move until slightly after you start moving the wheel.