Vibration while accelerating

[othello]

My anxieties are now escalating. My beloved 1988 Camry with 330k miles is exhibiting a strange shimmy while accelerating. The front vibrates noticably only whenever I'm above 60mph and actively gaining speed. There is no vibration in the steering wheel.

I have replaced worn tires, worn tie rod ends, and worn engine mounts. These have not cured the shaking. The tire shop also recommended new struts and strut mounting plates, but I don't believe they are causing the problem.

So what are the obvious answers? The one answer that occurred to me is too terrible to contemplate. My mechanic did not find any metal filings in the transmission base, fortunately, although there was less fluid than normal.

[Brian R.]

lower ball joints or wheel bearings?

[Bossman]

You might want to give some more thought to new struts, etc. I had mine replaced on my 89 Camry wagon because they were worn out and flat-spotting the tires and thus causing a flapping/vibrating sensation at highway speeds.

[GSS123]

Bad CV joints like Brain said.

[nmikmik]

If you search this forum for ‘vibration’, you will see lot’s of posts on that. Mine was cured after replacing bent axle (result of worn struts and motor mounts)

[othello]

Many thanks for the suggestions. I will formulate a plan of further attack. The Meineke shop that's done my brakes (and one botched strut job) for the last 10 years will take a look at the situation. At least now I'm armed with more information up front and won't just blindly accept their diagnosis.

[yotatechie04]

Don't forget to check the motor mounts...