Help with the front end

Hi All,
Have a 91 Buick Skylark, which I was told is very similar, if not identical, to some of the Grand Am's...So maybe you guys can help with this one...The passenger front feels like it has a wobble to it. Have changed the wheel bearing spindle, still feel the vibration between 45mph and 60 mph, have had the front tires balanced, the front end was checked for allignment, have jacked up the side, and tried to wiggle the tire around, don't feel any movement. I have even switched the two fronts, still have the problem...Sometimes when driving at 25mph, it feels like the tire is bouncing up and down, then sometimes it feels like it is wobbling side to side, and you can feel it a little bit in the steering wheel. One day getting on the freeway, I got on it hard, and it felt like the wheel was going to fall off, then the next time getting on, I went slower, building my speed up and I didn't get a bad vibration until I hit about 45mph then at 65mph it seemed to smooth out...

Am puzzled what it could be, maybe a cv joint? There are no noises coming from the front, no clicking, knocking, whining, quiet...Any help as to what it may be, let us know...Also, how to check the cv joints, wheel bearings etc...Thanks in advance for your help!

This certainly sounds like a CV joint. Raise the vehicle and move it entire shaft with your hand in various directions. If the joint is bad it will move in one direction or another. The vibration you feel is caused by that movement. I would have it replaced if you know which side is bad. If there are no noises then the bearings are probably good and no action will be required. You may also want to check the struts as the top bearings can go bad and cause problems like this.

Hey GTPDad,

Is that test done with the control arm hanging, or can it be supported by the jack ?
Thanks !

acually it sounds like busted belts in the tire(s). When you switched the fronts, did it get worse? You probley changed the rotation of the tires and that usually twists the belts causing side to side woble at low speeds and the feeling the steering wheels gonna fall of at higher speeds.

i will check it in a few days, and let you all know, thank you all for your help
jennifer

can you tell me how to check top bearings in the struts thanks
jennifer

You can do the test either way. If the joint is indeed bad it will move whether it is under tension or not. Generally if the joint is going bad you will feel a vibration between 50 and 60 mph and then it will go away. It can happen at lower speeds too and you will hear a clicking like it is binding when you make a hard turn.

To check the top strut bearings, turn the wheel from side to side and listen for a clunk or knock. If they are bad you will hear it when you move it back and forthl. The only way to change them is to remove the struts.

ok i jacked the front end up in the air. put it in gear it still does it at 45 and up but when i get to 70 it stops, took both front wheels off tryed it no vibration i put drivers side wheel on still no vibe,, but when i put the passengers wheel on there it was bad vibration. and having someone turn the steering wheel back and forth i can barely hear a noise in that area, i pulled on the wheel no play i pulled back and forth on the cv joint shaft no play, but i think i can barely feel a little play from the top of the strut not sure, i will try to get the strut off next thank you
jennifer

the passanger wheel could be out of balance, that's probley the vibration. If you have factory rims, they loose wheel weights easily, all the time. And busted belts can do the same wobble and shake while driving slow or fast.

Based on what you stated I have to agree with xeroinifinity. You have ruled out the CV joints and since you put the tire on and the vibration began immediately the tire or wheel is your problem. Take it and have it spin balanced. Once this is done, if they can balance it, the problem should go away. If not you may need a new wheel or tire or both.

hi
all thank you for the help. i went to another tire shop and found the problem with the vibe, the tire guy found a rock the size of a lugnut in it and a lot of soap enough to fill a coffee cup up, after $10.00 no more viberation, just so you all know before this was fixed i went to walmart had tires checked balanced and then went to americas tire company for the same reason, if you are ever in redding ca. i would stay away from these two places for any auto work