what is wrong with my car?

Question

I have a 1997 Mazda 626 and for a long time it's been shaking really bad when I get up past 60 MPH. I've been told that I need to get it balanced, but I've done that twice now. I'm thinking the people at the dealership are just bullshitting me and telling me that they fixed it when they really didn't because if anything, it's gotten worse, not better.
What could this be? My dad has spent more money on fixing the car than he actually did buying it (it was only $4,400).

Also, could it be something other than the tires?

It doesn't start shaking too bad until I get on the interstate so around 55-60 MPH. The tires do make a grinding noise when I turn corners but I thought that was normal. Also, when I slow down or lay off the accelorator, the shaking minimizes. And yes, the steering wheel and practically everything else inside my car shakes with it.

I'm know i'm adding way too many details here, but... so you all know, my tires are fairly new. I have replaced them since the previous owners, so i'm the only one who has used them.

I did hit a utility pole going like 50 MPH like 2 years ago but they have fixed the car up since then.

Answer 1

All are good answers, but since you've had the tires looked at, I'm going to lean more to your last bit of input. The 626 is a nice car, but when any car is involved in a 50mph impact, 90% of the time there is going to be permanent structural damage. They may have 'fixed' it, but structural damage is worse than frame damage on older, full frame vehicles, because the metal in the body gets 'stretched' at different locations in an impact. Over time, whatever structural mis-alignment there was resulting from the impact will return. As you drive a car that has suffered structural damage, the resistance from the tires actually pulls the vehicle back out of alignment (I'm referring to the alignment of the body/frame structure, not the wheel alignment). Even a few degrees of 'roll' in the body to frame alignment, especially in a unibody construction, will make the car feel like you're driving on a washboard at different speeds, or when braking. The only way to find out for sure, and to possibly repair the damage, is by taking the car to a frame shop that has a laser alignment table. It's not cheap to get the car checked on one of these machines, and it's not cheap to get it repaired, if it is repairable.

Answer 2

Tires and such are a great place to look as have been covered in answers already. Another place to look is to make sure that there is not dried "fix a flat" inside one of the tires. That stuff dries up after awhile and seriously throws a tire out of balance. Will shake the car almost to pieces if there is enough in there. If you have never used it then a previous owner might have done so. We had a Galant that was a nightmare to drive around 60 for just this reason. Usually when tires are a bit out of balance 45 or so is the speed that it shows up, with the fix-a-flat though was much worse at higher speeds and made driving home a hassle for a couple of weeks before the trouble was found. Had to take the tire off the rim and the dried film was piled up on one side and easily removed, but never knew it was there from the outside. If anybody uses this stuff for an emergency would advise cleaning it out later when the tire is repaired, or if the tire is replaced have the rim cleaned on the inside of the tire area. Incredible how much this can throw the balance off. Other than that most of the other suggestions are great places to look. The fact that this occurs at high speed seems to rule out major engine or transmission troubles to me so shouldn't be a bad repair no matter what the problem is.Good Luck either way.

Answer 3

try this: note the speed that the shaking starts, increase your speed, does it get worse? can you feel it in the steering wheel, lightly apply the brake at speed, does it change the vibration, slow down note the speed it disappears. do it a few times to establish if it is consistent, write all this information down because it will help the mechanic assess the problem. Do you hear any clicking or grinding noises when you turn a corner, can you tell from which side of the car it's coming from. My though is that it could be tires, but I am leaning more towards a bad CV joint. Get the mechanic to take it for a drive so he can see what it is doing.

Ab

Answer 4

There are several things that can cause the problem. You need to have the rims and tires checked carefully. Along with the suspension, wheel bearings and the rack and pinion. It sounds like an out of balance tire or bent rim. A separated tire is usually worse at lower speeds then higher speeds but still a possibility. I recommend looking around for a quality tire shop. Ask friends, coworkers,family who the use. Be sure to explain what the problem is and what you have had done to the car. Ask them to go on a test drive with you so they clearly understand your problem.

Answer 5

Just figured I would put in my 2 cents. Hit a pole at 50mph. Since tires been balanced (twice) possibilities still exist such as bad ball joints, suspension links, wheel rotors, How bouts wheel bearings. makes sounds when making turns Possibly wheel bearing, CV Joints,
Balancing tires is good but without an alignment?? If you havent had you car aligned ever then maybe its that.
Lots of possibilities.
One things for sure. If you bent anything underneath your car (like the frame) awful hard to make exactly like before. Lots of times they just straiten out the frame as close as they can to specs. I bet its been an issue since your crash. Best of Luck 2 u

Answer 6

My car did that a while back and I found out that my rear tires were worn out and the front ones needs to be aired. I've fixed the problem since just make sure you maintain enough air in your tires.

Answer 7

go to a different place to let someone else take a look at the car.
u might need to get ur wheels aligned, and check the suspension and engine, and transmission.

Answer 8

Try getting a tune-up. Replace the distributor cap/rotor spark plugs and wires.

Answer 9

It could be a number of things. Front end may need to be aliened, or you may have bent parts that control your steering. Have you hit anything, potholes, etc.

Answer 10

go to a tire dealer and have them spin balance all 4 tires