Vibration

pastaben · #1 08-12-2005, 10:17 PM

My 1999 Venture has developed a hard to diagnose vibration. I've put on new tires, new front brakes, resurfaced rear drums, rotated, and balanced tires, purchased new wheels, and yet, there's still a vibration.

It occurs at all speeds, but is most noticeable between 40-70 mph, especially when cruising. It feels like a vibrating massager. All my passengers, myself included are exhausted after an hour ride.

The steering wheel does not shimmy. There just seems to be an up and down motion in the suspension, but tire shops, GM dealers have not found anything they would / could repair.

Any idea what could be causing this? tie-rods (shops check them out ok), struts? mounts? sway bar links? Please help!

Thanks.

cdru · #2 08-13-2005, 09:26 AM

Wheel bearing maybe?

filemon_vargas · #3 10-26-2005, 02:12 PM

did you resolve your vibration problem?

I have the same situation

Can ypu help me

pastaben · #4 10-26-2005, 04:12 PM

Sorry...also I've been in between jobs now, so no money to play with the car. But I'm still trying to diagnose it. I definitely will post when I get it fixed.

denyp · #5 11-03-2005, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pastaben

My 1999 Venture has developed a hard to diagnose vibration. I've put on new tires, new front brakes, resurfaced rear drums, rotated, and balanced tires, purchased new wheels, and yet, there's still a vibration.

It occurs at all speeds, but is most noticeable between 40-70 mph, especially when cruising. It feels like a vibrating massager. All my passengers, myself included are exhausted after an hour ride.

The steering wheel does not shimmy. There just seems to be an up and down motion in the suspension, but tire shops, GM dealers have not found anything they would / could repair.

Any idea what could be causing this? tie-rods (shops check them out ok), struts? mounts? sway bar links? Please help!

Thanks.

I had this problem with my 97 venture. I replaced the front hubs/wheel bearings after work today. and the problem disapeared. A little spendy at $200.00 per side for the parts from NAPA, but I am happy. It took me 3 hours. The first one was corroded in to the spindle. I spent two hours with this one. Many Many strikes with a 2 1/2 lb hammer and chissel. I was beginning to wish I hadn't started the project then it freed up and came out. The other side almost fell out with the first strike of the hammer. Made a Big differance! - I am pleased!!

Deny

cdru · #6 11-03-2005, 09:34 AM

Next time, a hub puller makes for a relatively easy task. It pushes against the axle, pulling off the hub in the process. An impact wrench or a decent sized breaker bar, along with the threaded screw, gives you a significant mechanical advantage over a 2.5 pound sledge.

You can borrow the puller at Autozones for free (deposit required). Or just buy one. They aren't too expensive.

denyp · #7 11-03-2005, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdru

Next time, a hub puller makes for a relatively easy task. It pushes against the axle, pulling off the hub in the process. An impact wrench or a decent sized breaker bar, along with the threaded screw, gives you a significant mechanical advantage over a 2.5 pound sledge.

You can borrow the puller at Autozones for free (deposit required). Or just buy one. They aren't too expensive.

Thanks for the info. I did have a puller, it released the axle without moving the hub. I was a little leary about applying a lot of preasure to it with it free floating. I didn't want to damage the CV joints or somthing worse. I tried a slide hammer puller as well ... A maul is a weapon of last resort.

Deny

pastaben · #8 11-09-2005, 07:28 PM

I forced my mechanic to change the wheel hub / bearing. He took the rotor,e tc. apart, and would not change the hub...said it was fine. So we're back to square one.

pastaben · #9 11-09-2005, 07:30 PM

I'm trying to convince him to just change it since he's got it all apart anyway. Will keep posted.

pastaben · #10 11-24-2005, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pastaben

I'm trying to convince him to just change it since he's got it all apart anyway. Will keep posted.

This may sound crazy, but will different lug nuts on one wheel cause the sensation of an out of balance wheel?

I have the hub caps that screw on to the wheel by unique lug nuts on these ventures.

My front left, I noticed, has one REGULAR lug nut, which is smaller than the other four. This would seem to me to make it out of balance. Could this problem have been something as simple as getting the right lug nuts on?

When the dealers open, I'm goin to try to replace this nut.

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