[JKennedy]

Okay, so I'm taking the car in for a tune-up and check-up before I order my first round of mods and I have recently noticed a vibration in my ass as I drive over 70mph. My car is a 2000 with 85,000 miles on it and I'm trying to see what might be a potential age related problem. Is it normal for it to need suspension work about now etc....

I asked my dad because he is kind of a car guy like myself and he said that typically if you feel it in your seat then the vibration is in the backend of the car and if you feel it in your hands (steering wheel) then it is coming from the front end. I realize this is not always the case, but it was a general rule of thumb to start using to look. Well, my vibration is in the seat. Could it be a wheel out of balance, a bad strut, shock, etc? I'm just trying to gauge how desperate the situation could be. The car doesn't pull so whatever it is the alignment has not been effected.

If you have any ideas drop them here.

Oh, and photos are coming soon.

[gloomshadow]

You probably got a rear bent rim...jack the rear off of the ground and spin em by hand to check..if there is any wobble beyond say 1/4", that wheel is kinda fucked! The vibration will slowy chew that tire up and youll lose a tiny amount of speed due to wasted energy.

[JKennedy]

Well, I got in a low speed impact this winter, but I didn't think I hit my wheel. The wheels that are on the back were in the front at the time. I tagged a guard rail with my front passenger side fender. I replaced the fender, headlight, and headlight bracket that runs across the front end. I was only going about 5 to 10 mph because I had my auto tranny down in 1st gear so that I wouldn't slide on the ice as easily. Well, I did anyway and went straight into the rail. I thought my wheel was below the impact, but maybe not. The wheel isn't scarred or anything making me thing I hit it, but you never know.

I hope its not bent because I don't want to buy a new rim until I replace all 4 of them. I have the stock 15 or 16s on the car now and want to move to 17s or 18s, but that puts a hole in the plan potentially.

[gloomshadow]

it doesnt take much to get one a little bent..and like I said the penalty for running a bent one isnt much unless its really fucking bent! if you spin it and its obviously bouncing up and down or side to side, then its fucking BENT! You CAN run it for a while but it will eventually cause that tire to wear out alot faster than the others but, oh well!
Now if it stays on there too long it could also wear out some suspension parts b/c of all of that wierd jerking up and down or that side to side stuff...If its bent a little just go with it for now and move those wheels and tires up to the top of your list! Thats a safe mod for you to do now anyway, thats one of the first things you do..wheels and tires! and keep your old ones so when you sell your car you give them those and sell your aftermarket wheels separately..get some of that money back!

[boblongtv]

I kinda got that problem too on my 99. But it doesnt vibrate it just makes a weird noise when ever i step on the brake. And its not a brake squeal it sonds like somethins vibrating up front.

[gloomshadow]

Originally Posted by boblongtv I kinda got that problem too on my 99. But it doesnt vibrate it just makes a weird noise when ever i step on the brake. And its not a brake squeal it sonds like somethins vibrating up front.

if it was a bent rim, youd be feeling it all the time but you say it only happens when youre under braking Id say its a warped brake rotor..cheap fix, $60 for a front set, but take the wheel off and check it first....also jack that side up and grab that wheel and rattle it!..you may have a bad steering knuckle or ball joint, no way of knowing until you inspect it and find out what looks or feels bad...check that brake caliper too, it could be loose and rattleing..no telling!

[boblongtv]

Ok thats wat I thought. Somethin with the brakes.

[gloomshadow]

Originally Posted by boblongtv Ok thats wat I thought. Somethin with the brakes.

could be something really stupid and simple..maybe a anti-chatter shim fell off of a brake pad or something..just look around, youll figure it out!

[boblongtv]

Thanks bro

[JKennedy]

Mine is probably a wheel either being bent, not put on correctly or something dumb like that. It does it all the time, but it is much more noticeable and annoying at higher speeds like on the interstate. I'm taking it to the stealership for an 85K tune-up today. So, I'll hit firestone and have them check the wheel tomorrow. I have a lifetime balance, rotate, and align from them from when I bough my tires. So, I'll take it there cause the service will be free.

[gloomshadow]

Originally Posted by JKennedy Mine is probably a wheel either being bent, not put on correctly or something dumb like that. It does it all the time, but it is much more noticeable and annoying at higher speeds like on the interstate. I'm taking it to the stealership for an 85K tune-up today. So, I'll hit firestone and have them check the wheel tomorrow. I have a lifetime balance, rotate, and align from them from when I bough my tires. So, I'll take it there cause the service will be free.

Allright, keep me posted but Im almost positive you have a bent rim by the way you describe the symptoms. The average person cant tell when a wheel balance wieght falls off but almost anyone can notice a bent rim!