My car...at my wit's end! Any thoughts?

[captorquewrench]

The car:
2006 Saturn Ion, 5spd
Mileage: 207K (also, I'm on factory brakes that still look almost new, I NEVER stop)

The issue:
Front end vibration. Getting troublesome, annoying, and scary!

It is speed related, not RPM related. There is no strong pull or drift.

These issues have been ruled out:
Unidirectional tires on the wrong way or other tire problems
Drive axle
CV joint/boot
Wheel bearing
Motor mounts (long shot, and not what symptoms indicates, but hey, worth a look right?)

Thoughts?

 

[arjay]

Are you sure those tires are properly balanced?

 

[Vegetaman]

I got a pretty nasty vibration in my '96 Pontiac Bonneville when it was in the 200K+ range... They said new tires probably wouldn't fix it. I have no idea what was wrong with it. 55 mph was fine. 65? She'd rock all the way home.

 

[HotRoderX]

Things that come to my mind right off the bat

ABS Break issue
Spark plug wire or Spark Plug
perhaps damaged shock
Fuel Filter needs to be changed fuel line clogged

If its throwing a check engine light most local auto part's places will have a OBD computer to check it to see what the code means.

I had the ABS issue come up on a mini van it was pretty nasty you get it over 65 and the ABS would kick on.

I have had a spark plug and wire issue where my truck felt like it was going to shake its self apart. Basically what was happening was at speed the engine wasn't getting enough juice cause one of the spark plug wires was only firing half the time.

I have had a fuel filter issue on my truck also. Truck ran fine at lower speeds suddenly you would go over 50-55 and it would act like it wanted to shut off and like it wasn't firing on all cylinders. Turns out debris had clogged the fuel filter really bad.

 

[snubbyfan]

I had an '86 Toyota Tercel 4wd station wagon that developed a similar problem. Checked the wheels, tires, half shafts, wheel bearings, etc. Couldn't find the problem and just kinda ignored it. That is until the front diff blew up. Seems the caps that retained the differential in the transaxle housing developed a crack that allowed the differential too much play, causing the vibrations. Eventually the caps failed, destroying the differential and totalling the car.

 

[Rule3]

You say "speed related" At what speed???

When and how were the "tire problems" ruled out?? How many miles on them and when balanced?

Blinker fluid checked?

 

[Beemerguy53]

Bent wheel?

Out of balance tire?

Damaged or bent tie rod?

Worn shocks or struts?

Good luck...

 

[captorquewrench]

Speed related: the faster I go, the worse it gets.

As I said...tire problems ruled out including balance issues, as well as brake issues ruled out.

The only issue I have with my check engine light, I ran codes ( I don't need to go the parts store since I have a tester), and it's a coolant sensor. Not a priority at the moment with the vibration. Obviously not related to the vibration issue. I doubt is a fuel line issue at it feels like suspension...it is speed related, not RPM related, and I'm not getting any misfire, hiccups, or rough idle and when the misfire issue was TCO he also checked fuel lines, again after checking it when replacing my fuel pump issue and dropping the gas tank last summer.

It is not a spark plug issue as I have new plugs, wires, and cap that took care of a nasty misfire on cylinder 4 earlier this school year.

I believe Mr. checked the struts when he checked CV joints, and replaced the drive axle (half shaft) and wheel bearing but will double check.

What snubbyfan mentions sounds more like my issue. I think I am definitely not looking at anything mechanical like plugs, fuel, idle, etc...somewhere in the suspension or axle or tire/wheel related area.

 

[Straightshooter2]

Cap, I would say check out the tires on the front end. One-You're looking for a missing wheel weight. Second-Look for a high spot in a tire. This can be caused by tread separation or just a high spot during manufacture and can make a vehicle drive like a jackhammer was attached to it. Probably your best bet, if you haven't already done so, is take it to a tire shop that can spin balance the tire. By spinning at high rpm they will be able to tell more about it. You said other tire issues were ruled out but tread separation is hard to spot until the tread actually starts peeling off.

Just read your second post. If balance ruled out then check for possible separation before completely ruling out tires/rims. Have someone spin them up if you haven't already, just to see how they behave off the vehicle. If one or both vibrate, there's your problem. If not then it's time to dig into the front end.

CW

 

[Frank46]

Bent rims on the tires?. Wheel bearings will also give vibration problems.
Frank

 

[yaktamer]

I second the possibility of a defective tire. I've had the same problem. Tires balanced and looked okay, until the bad one started coming apart.

 

[chud333]

Muffler bearings or possibly PVC joint in radio needs replaced.

Chuck

 

[yaktamer]

Muffler bearings or possibly PVC joint in radio needs replaced.

Chuck

Easily fixed with a little liquid squelch.

 

[captorquewrench]

Bent rims on the tires?. Wheel bearings will also give vibration problems.
Frank

rims are fine.
Wheel bearings replaced and noise continues

I put new tires put on this summer

sway bar bushings maybe????

 

[LVSteve]

sway bar bushings maybe????

That's a good thought. I am not familiar with the front suspension layout of the Ion, but it is not uncommon for the sway bar to be major part of keeping stuff straight. The other favourites would be the control arm bushings.

 

[jmcghee]

Have the tires and rims checked again by a different person.Once had a balance machine out of calibration,drove multitudes of folks crazy,multable times until it was recalibrated

 

[jmcghee]

Forgot to tell you.tires can balance fine and still be out of round or have tread separation and or bubble.Doesnt matter how new they are.One slight curb bump or rub on the sidewall can ruin a tire.Particularity the lower priced tires.A tire plug can let water in and lead to tread separation .Rotate the tires and see what happens good luck.Sway bar bushings are not the problem.

 

[Steely Dan]

I had a 93 Corolla with bad vibration which got worse after 55 mph.

It was the front drive shafts.
Both were wore out and after replacement (the value of two MP40's) no vibration.

Later, there was heavy vibration during car start up and idle.
Those were all related to the motor mounts which are made of rubber and over the years compact and harden, loosing there cushioning function.

Both issues are not cheap. The motor mounts a good shade-tree mechanic can handle.
The half-shafts, better get a trained ASE tech.

 

[puckforbrains]

Had same issue once,drove me crazy.It was the emergency brake.

 

[jaykellogg]

If the tires are cupped the front end will sound like it has bad bearings. Run your palm over the tires forward and backward. If it is cupped you will be able to feel it.

With that many miles I would be surprised if the control arm bushings weren't worn out long ago. You can check these yourself with the help of another person. In a parking lot drive past an observer and as you do pump the brakes fairly hard. The observer should watch the front wheel. If the bushings are worn out the wheel will wobble back and fourth.