Bumpy Ride/Vibration

Starlite528 · Post by **Starlite528** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:18 am

I know my tires are good, and I've had the balance on them checked. I had the brakes done recently too. I can feel it in the steering wheel, but I don't know if it is coming from the left or the right. The vibration is there regardless of speed, of course it speeds up as I do.

Wheel bearings?

Fastback86 · Post by **Fastback86** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:22 am

Hows your alignment?

Starlite528 · Post by **Starlite528** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:53 am

If I weren't broke, I would have it checked. It doesn't pull one way or the other.

Series8217 · Post by **Series8217** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:53 am

I don't see how any alignment setting could possibly cause vibration.. but worn ball joints/tie rods/bushings certainly will.

Starlite528 · Post by **Starlite528** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 2:58 am

Series8217 wrote:I don't see how any alignment setting could possibly cause vibration.. but worn ball joints/tie rods/bushings certainly will.

How is this?

Series8217 · Post by **Series8217** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 3:03 am

Starlite528 wrote:
Series8217 wrote:I don't see how any alignment setting could possibly cause vibration.. but worn ball joints/tie rods/bushings certainly will.
How is this?

Alignment is just affecting which way your wheels are oriented. The only way it would cause vibration is if you have radical toe that is causing the contact patch to be pulled out or in until it breaks loose and snaps back til it grabs again. Yours tires would get pretty hot pretty quick

If you have worn ball joints or tie rods or bushings you could have suspension components just flopping around, so to speak.
If its a very regular vibration and you can even feel it at low speeds, I would say you've probably got a VERY worn or damaged wheel bearing, or a bent or damaged CV joint. Otherwise it could be a bent rim.
Jack up each corner of the car and see if you can find play in any of the wheels. Grab the top and bottom and try to push and pull them. Do the same at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock positions. If there's slop anywhere you've got parts to replace. Also rotate the wheels by hand with the car jacked up so you can feel if the brakes are grabbing anywhere or if the bearing feels rough.

Starlite528 · Post by **Starlite528** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 3:16 am

I hope wheel bearings aren't too expensive

I can feel it directly in the steering wheel, so I'm 89% sure it's coming from the front, so the CV joints should be okay.....I hope. This car is gonna break me, but I'll never get rid of it.

The Dark Side of Will · Wed Jan 24, 2007 9:23 am

Could also be the rack bushing. Check by trying to move the right inner tie rod end up and down.

For the 3-9 shake test, install a helper in the driver's seat, have her remove her blouse and bra and hold the steering wheel against the steering wheel lock. The slop in the wheel lock can mask slop in the steering linkage.

For '84-'87 cars, wheel bearings are cheap, but a PITA to replace (need to be packed with grease and adjusted.

cactus bastard · Post by **cactus bastard** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 10:22 am

Will, what happened to your Avatar?

The Dark Side of Will · Thu Jan 25, 2007 11:15 am

Starlite528 · Post by **Starlite528** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 6:20 pm

After driving the freeway today, I payed careful attention to when the vibration was strongest and when it is weakest. It seemed to vibrate a lot when I am turning in a left curve. Going right seems to lessen the vibration to almost nothing.

Dirty Sanchez · Post by **Dirty Sanchez** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 8:31 pm

That sounds like a loose left wheel bearing. You might want to pull the wheel and rotor off to check the bearings and their races to see if they need adjustment or replacement. You should also make sure your tires are properly inflated, especially if you have low profile tires. It is hard to tell if they are low on air by just looking at them and the car will handle funny if they are.

Starlite528 · Post by **Starlite528** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 1:00 am

They're normal sized tires. I wasn't aware that wheel bearings could be adjusted, but it's been 19 years and I think I'll replace all four at the same time.

The Dark Side of Will · Sat Jan 27, 2007 1:15 am

Certainly check the wheel bearings, but I wouldn't be so sure it's them. I think your problem is somewhere in the left front corner, though.

Being an old worn out car, the problem may be a combination of several things.

Dirty Sanchez · Post by **Dirty Sanchez** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 9:17 pm

What I meant by adjustment is that you need to check them to make sure they are tightened properly. It sounds like you have a loose or worn bearing.

Boscolingus · Post by **Boscolingus** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 11:28 pm

this is an easy one, check each wheel at a time by jacking it up until it is off the ground, then simply grab the top and bottom of the wheel and try and push and pull into and away from the fender.

If there is a worn bearing or ball joint you will feel it "clunk". Also if you do the same to the fore and aft of the wheel, it will show any worn tow links ( rear ) or inner and outer tie-rods ( front ).

Starlite528 · Post by **Starlite528** » Fri Feb 09, 2007 6:43 pm

100% positron that it's the front left wheel bearing. I had it up on a jack today and it clunked from top to bottom.

I also hooked my 18 volt cordless dewalt and a 3/4" socket and spun the tire, and could hear it grinding away at a point, same place on every revolution, forwards and back. Not only could I hear it, but it appeared to move up and down slightly when it spun.

How much do wheel bearings for these cost on average? I sure hope the spindle or whatever isn't messed up to hell from this.

Boscolingus · Post by **Boscolingus** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 11:37 am

hmmm, I think for the 2 bearings, 2 races, and a grease seal its gonna be under 25 bucks

cactus bastard · Post by **cactus bastard** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 2:17 pm

When I did mine it was about $25 for both sides.

Starlite528 · Post by **Starlite528** » Sat Feb 10, 2007 7:43 pm

I went to NAPA, Kragen, and CQ. None of them had wheel bearings for the front OR rear, only the 'hub assembly' for the rear (88), and that's a hundred bucks.

WTF?