2001 Protege front end shake and a check engine light

[billkater]

I just purchased a 2001 Protege. when you get up to 55-60 mph it starts to get a vibration or shake in the front end. It appears that someone has replaced the Stabilizer control link on both sides, they both look new (not rusted like other parts). The dealer had put new tires on, said old ones had insides worn real bad, wires showing.

Both front struts appear to be leaking. I plan on replacing these (already ordered them). Is there anything else to look for while I have the front end apart? I know I will have to have it aligned after I install the struts.


I am also getting a check engine light. P00421 - Warm Up Catalyst Below Threshold Bank 1. Is this code related to the catalytic converter? If so, how to I check it?

Thanks

Bill

[DoctorCrobe]

okay, you can try this either way.. take it to wal-mart or some tire shop. and have them rebalance your tires, or have them rotate your tires, and see if it still does it with the rear tires on the front.. if it does, either they were balanced incorrectly, (thus meaning, the tech used the wrong settings for your rims.) or something possibly with the rims.. those are the first few things I'd check out before you just start replacing parts..

as for as your engine code, that one I don't have a clue about, maybe someone on here with more experience with the engine codes could be of more help..

[billkater]

As the struts are leaking pretty bad I am replacing them anyways. Then I will have it aligned and go from there.

[DoctorCrobe]

yea, either way you want to go on that part, is up to you...

[jjfrisk]

I also just puchased a 2001 protege with 103000 miles with a shake in the front end. Mechanic just changed cv joints sure that the inners were causing the problem, but it still shakes and when letting off the gas it feels rotational. When accelerating it just shakes. Did you ever solve your problem and what was it.

Thanks,

jj

[billkater]

I put new struts on as they were both leaking pretty bad.

Took it in to have it aligned and wheels balanced. Found one bad tire. They could not get it to balance. These were a set of new tires and one was bad.

I would suggest rotating the tires on it from front to rear and see if the shake moves.

[jjfrisk]

Moved tires from front to rear with no change. Mechanic says struts are looking good. He said he would look again on Monday, but I was hoping you found something difinitive. Do you still have your car and are you happy with the performance?

Thanks,

JJ

[billkater]

My 18 year old girl drives it every day and is very happy with it. Good on gas and does good on the snow.

[jjfrisk]

Thanks for your help. We have similar motives. This one is for my 17 year old daughter.

Thanks Again,

JJ

[adamgrant]

I might re-check the C/V axles again.... seeing that they were recently apart. I would also check the the engine/transmission mount along the firewall.... they sometimes seperate...