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ALS
New User
Aug 31, 2014, 6:54 PM
Post #1 of 6
(1836 views)
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front end vibration
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I have a 2002 Toyota Sienna van. Last April I had my tires changed out and immediately felt a bad front end vibration on the way home. So far I have spent a good $1000 and have many new parts, but the vibration has not been fixed. The tires have been balanced 3 times at different shops, an alignment has been done, the tires have been changed out 2 more times with new tires, the shocks were replaced, the 2 front rotors replaced, the 2 front axles replaced. The vibration begins at around 55 MPH and gets worse upon increasing speeds of 65-70 MPH. The vibration sometimes feels worse than other times. The vibration does not happen while braking. There are no humming noises that you would hear with ball bearings. When you look in the rear view mirror you can see the seats shaking. The passenger can feel it through their front seat. The rims were checked and do not look bent. The brakes are not rubbing. My mechanic has always been great in the past but can't figure this one out. I can't keep sinking money into it for parts I don't need, and not certain what to do next. Any ideas? Thanks!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 1, 2014, 3:54 AM
Post #2 of 6
(1819 views)
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Re: front end vibration
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Quote">>The rims were checked and do not look bent.<<" Just how was that checked?
Since this happened instantly AFTER new tires I do suspect problems with the rims - even one but would likely change feel if rototed. What happens is the wheel that is out of round/bent wore the old tire(s) into that pattern so you didn't feel it and new tires wouldn't be worn the same way new of course so instantly you feel it.
Other is rust or dirt caught between on on surface of hubs on the push on types make a lump such that wheel never sits true to that hub without removing the debris up to tossing that one or more. Just taking wheels off and back on debris can fall and do that and you don't just see it without removing rotors/drums as applicable. Not so common on these cars but more with vehicles that have rotors and drums that are loose fitting when wheel isn't tight holding them true.
Alignments alone do nothing for vibrations and if machine put on an out of round wheel that's the spec you just got - wrong. Alignments can help and exacerbate vibration but not cause or cure them.
These wheels should be spun with vehicle hoisted one by one by hand and just look or machines shouldn't be needed but I'd just hold or fasten a reference something to a fender and the imperfection(s) should show right up OR rule it out and be done with the parts tossing,
T
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ALS
New User
Sep 1, 2014, 11:03 AM
Post #3 of 6
(1814 views)
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Re: front end vibration
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Thank you, I will check into someone looking at the rims again. I am not certain how they were looked at before. I am tired of the parts tossing and so is my wallet.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 1, 2014, 11:44 AM
Post #4 of 6
(1813 views)
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Re: front end vibration
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Can you safely hoist this wheel by wheel or more? Just spin them (use "N" as needed with car secure) hold a screwdriver with hand against fender and near rim and watch the gap as you rotate it one by one you'll see it if that bad. Reason is it was instant with new tires.
I hear you with the parts tossing game. Some is fine for things that are old or you might do anyway but this is too much IMO. All these folks are missing the problem and can. Wheel balancing will balance (most machines wouldn't know) a warped wheel in some way and just add weights as the machine says not when it's in use. You can balance an ellipse for example. OK - most are in a hurry but machines common to me when doing tires (part time when I did for others) you spin the wheels with a cover over them so anything thrown off doesn't hit you but still either by hand on machine or quick look lifting cover right at it. Clues can be it needs too many much weights sometimes so really pay attention why but it isn't done much.
This is a guess but high on the list of how it could be. Trouble is if really a rim problem tire will begin to wear into it so you want this while new still not later or you won't win.
Some if warped you can watch your hood while just creeping along and feel car move like it was the road but it keeps doing it and even see it with reference of hood to something on side of road. Reasonably easy to rule out,
T
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ALS
New User
Sep 5, 2014, 5:20 AM
Post #5 of 6
(1791 views)
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Re: front end vibration
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I can't do this myself, but I have an appointment on the 16th. It would be nice to finally find the cause of the problem.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 5, 2014, 8:27 AM
Post #6 of 6
(1784 views)
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Re: front end vibration
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Good luck. Please let us know what it was. If warped or untrue rims the problem can be improved but as tires (depending on miles on the new ones) may have worn into the defect and never be perfect, just better. It's too bad IMO this wasn't caught accurately soon after the tires and problem remains a guess as some other issue may exist but odd by now nobody has isolated it?
Tom
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