ARGH, can't get rid of front end shake.

booya · Jul 28, 2009

I need some help with a front end shake or wobble that I am having. This is an intermittent wobble that has been plaguing me for months. It comes and goes at random.

Usually it will start around 90km/h up to about 120. Once it starts shaking, I can feel an exaggerated wobble all the way down to 20km/h, almost like something is bent. I've replaced both lower control arms(rear) and had the front end checked, apparently everything is tight. Brand new suspension, tires balanced twice in the last 2 months to try and resolve it. Originally I thought I had warped rotors but am doubting it now, when I brake at high speed the shake gets *horrible*.

Its extremely frustrating as it is completely intermittent and random, sometimes its fine but more often it shakes.

Any ideas what could be causing this?

1slow92 · Jul 28, 2009

Is this shaking happening during braking? Or during cruising?

Have you checked the following-
balls joints
Tie rod ends
wheel bearings
alignment
CV axles boots

booya · Jul 28, 2009

Its while cruising and gets worse while braking. I had the front end checked and everything 'appears' to be in good shape. I haven't checked bearings or CV boots, can they really cause a noticable wobble or shake? I did have an alignment done as well after the new suspension.

1slow92 · Jul 28, 2009

booya said:
Its while cruising and gets worse while braking. I had the front end checked and everything 'appears' to be in good shape. I haven't checked bearings or CV boots, can they really cause a noticable wobble or shake? I did have an alignment done as well after the new suspension.

You say you had the front end checked, who checked it?

Yes axles can cause a wobble if the boot is split for long enough and it runs low on grease, but doesnt sound like this is your problem. Did you recently changed rims? When did this wobble start? Was something changed and then it started?

booya · Jul 28, 2009

I had the front end checked at two shops, the second one when I had the alignment done. I could have it checked elsewhere just to be sure.

This started randomly earlier in the year, I had the new rims on for quite some time before it started shaking.

Lazer382 · Jul 28, 2009

Couple things popped into my mind... Check your lug nuts just incase. Theres a good chance this isn't the problem but it's important to make sure they aren't coming loose! If there's any chance the wheel bearings are bad (front ones tend to go) you might want to replace those too. I had a similar shake / hum and it kept getting worse till I was sure it was the bearings. Replaced them and fixed the problem.

booya · Jul 28, 2009

Thanks, I'll replace the bearings I think. It has been droning a little lately too, that might very well be it. Would it cause an intermittent wicked shake though?

Skywise · Jul 28, 2009

It could be your subframe or swaybar bushings.

DOMINIC1 · Jul 28, 2009

wheel bearings, first think that came to mind. Sorry if I missed it but have you had your rotors looked at? What makes you doubt its the brakes?

booya · Jul 28, 2009

I originally thought my rotors were warped but separate from the front end problem because it would shake harder when braking.

This wobble or shake happens when I'm not braking and gets worse as I apply the breaks.

dsm1991_28 · Jul 28, 2009

Stupid question but have you ever had the tires balanced?

snowborderus · Jul 29, 2009

dsm1991_28 said:
Stupid question but have you ever had the tires balanced?

He said twice in the past 2 months.

1slow92 said:
Yes axles can cause a wobble if the boot is split for long enough

An axle would really only show up under acceleration.

--I would guess an out of round tire. The fact that it happens at certain speeds leads me to believe a tire issue.

BDidInDaHiz · Jul 30, 2009

Do you have aftermarket wheels on the car?

dsm1991_28 · Jul 30, 2009

snowborderus said:
He said twice in the past 2 months.

I missed that. When they balanced the tires did they measure the road force?

cmspaz · Jul 30, 2009

Wheel bearings come to mind for me as well.

Just jack up the car and wiggle the front wheels, if there's play you've found the culprit.

booya · Aug 1, 2009

Well, just busted a nut changing both front hubs, the old hubs did have slop in them and needed to be changed BUT I STILL HAVE THE DAMN SHAKING!!!

I'm out of ideas...They are aftermarket wheels but seem to balance fine.

Question though, one of the pistons on the passenger side caliper did not want to go back *all* the way, its still free moving but did not go all the way back. If my rotors were warped really badly, could they be making contact with the pads when not braking, could this cause the shake?

Has anyone tried the Ebay cross drilled rotors?

housegsx · Aug 2, 2009

My car does the intermittent shake too. I have checked everything twice. Balljoints good, wheel bearings, axles, driveshafts, etc. I was doubting my brakes were the culprit at first, but now I am starting to think they might be the problem. My shake also gets worse when I brake and the rotors seem warped now.

Anyways, I got an awesome deal on some closeout pads and rotors so I will soon find out if it's the issue.

ARGH, can't get rid of front end shake.

booya

1slow92

booya

1slow92

booya

Lazer382

booya

Skywise

DOMINIC1

booya

dsm1991_28

snowborderus

BDidInDaHiz

dsm1991_28

cmspaz

booya

housegsx

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