Vibration in the front end?

Question

I have a consistant vibration in the front driver's side of my 2003 SaturnSL2. Tire guy says that the wheel spins well and there is no unusual wear on the tire.

I can feel the vibration under my feet and in the steering column. It is not significant when accelerating or breaking, but gets worse when cruising on the highway (50-60mph). When I’m going about 5 miles per hour, it feels like the front driver’s side of the car goes ‘up and down’ just a bit, while rolling along.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I’d like to have some general ideas before seeing a mechanic. (Hopefully reduce the ‘getting screwed’ possibility’). So PLEASE IF YOU DON’T KNOW CARS, PLEASE DON’T ANSWER. I need good and solid advice.

I've already been to the tire place, been balanced and rotated.

Answer 1

Ok--you have been to the tire place and they have balanced and rotated the tires correct? At first I was thinking bent rim but if you had the tires rotated and the vibration is still in the front left side then I think you can rule out the tires and wheels....I would suggest to have your rotors turned and brakes checked for any damage and if this is not it--it maybe the drive axle...Have you hit anything in the road that may have bent the axle...I would have the drive axle checked into as well.....the only other remote possiblity could be that one of the motor mounts on the engine has collapsed some and it is allowing extra pressure to be put on the drive axle on that side thus causing a vibration....
Good Luck

Answer 2

This could be a wheel bearing, but a bad bearing usually produces noise. An easy way to check this is to take the hubcaps off after extended driving nd feel if the bearing cover is hot.
Putting the front end on jack stands, spin the tire and listen for bearing noise. Push and pull on the wheel to feel for any play - this would indicate a bad ball joint. Look under the car at the linkages. A loose or busted tie rod could cause the car to drive erratic. Compare the linkage and connections on both sides and look for anything different.
Poor tire balancing or improper wheel alignment will eventually produce uneven wear on your tread, but your car could be in the early stages.

Answer 3

Sounds like a bad tire, possibly a separated belt. Have the tire balance checked. When they put the wheel and tire on the machine, they'll be able to see the "bump" on the tire when the balance machine rotates it.

Answer 4

Sounds like you have a bad tire. the radial belt may be broken causing that loping feeling at low speed and gets worse when you accelerate. You can try taking the tire off and putting on your spare tire. If this helps or eliminates the lope feeling and vibrations, then you just found your problem. Replace the tire.

good luck.......

Answer 5

Re-balance the front tires. Check for out of round tires.