YACT - Random front end vibration from 98 Accord

[Kung Lau]

I have a 98 Accord and it has about 65k miles on it.
Whenever I drive it I randomly get moderate vibration when doing about 30-45 mph.
I never feel it on the highway, nor on base where we drive 25 mph.

I'v had my tires rotated and balanced every 5k miles since 40k (new tire set)

When I accelerate a bit, the vibration/shaking goes away. I used to think I was driving
over unsmooth parts of the road, but it's definitely during other road travel as well.

Anyone have an idea?

 

Many possible causes including but not limited to the following ;

(1)Bent rim(s)

(2)Worn C.V. joints

(3)Worn tie rod ends

(4)loose wheel bearings

(5)Worn ball joints

(6)Worn struts

(6)Worn strut bearings

(7)Deteriorated control arm bushings

(8)Worn steering rack

(9)Broken belts inside the tires

(10)Out of round tire carcasses

(11)Incorrect tire inflation pressures

(12)Camber, Caster or toe in incorrect (Front wheel alignment), Accords are sometimes sensitive to the type of tire mounted as well as minor alignment discrepancies.

 

[Kung Lau]

Thanks. I first suspected CV joints, but from what I've read, I should hear something as well if CV joints are going bad. Is this true?

Would I get vibration at only specific speed range with bent rims?

The other possibilities you listed are way beyond what I would of guessed!

Any idea how much to troubleshoot this problem? Could a technician diagnose it if it's a random problem that's hard to replicate?

Out of the 50 mile commute for a day, it may appear once or twice.

 

A properly trained technician can diagnose your problem in ten minutes, C.V. joints can wear internally causing the driveshaft(s) to run out of thier true centerline without causing the infamous clicking sound they are known for when they fail.
Figure an hour for diagnostic charges, at a Honda dealership this should be around $65, remember that other parts of your vehicle can cause vibration and shuttering as well such as misfire under load, chattering bands in a automatic tranny e.t.c.


Look very closely at your front tires for wear patterns and compare them here.

 

[Kung Lau]

Thanks Roger, just what I wanted to hear.
I know they can fix it if they can diagnose it correctly-that's what I was worried about the most.
Some problems are so hard to replicate or find, they can spend hours not finding anything.

I don't mind replacing a part or fixing it, just want them to do it on the correct part

 

You are welcome

 

[rudeguy]

roger...how have you been????

I havent seen you on in a while, where have you been hiding?

 

roger...how have you been????

I havent seen you on in a while, where have you been hiding?

Life grabbed me by the jewels and took me for a ride, but now I'm fine and back to wasting my valuable hours here in O.T.

 

[Placer14]

As far as a temporary fix, I suggest a female hood ornament. That should absorb any "irregularities" and give you an interesting drive to work.

 

[B00ne]

My knowledge is quite limited, but vibrations in a certain speed range sounds like broken/worn shox (does the steering wheel vibrate too)

To check the shox (very subjective and); push down the car on one corner, release and see how it behaves. It should move back up in its equilibrium position without bouncing (like a dampned pendulum, when taken out of the equi. pos it should just move back in one dampened move not swing back and forth)

repeat on all four corners and try to notice if there is a difference in behavior...

but better go to a shop