YACT: Ride is not smooth

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Car: 91 Accord LX

When I accelerate above 40-45mph I get a pretty large vibration from the front of the car, it started out just on the front right wheel however I think I'm getting it from the left now as well. It's not the engine from what I felt.

It happens at lower speeds as well while accelerating however it's not as great at lower speeds. One other thing to note is that it happens only when accelerating, even if just a little.

Any ideas?

Update: Took it to a mechanic a month or two ago and still no solution. I don't know if they checked for the tie rods being an issue and might have to check that myself.

 

[nboy22]

alignment?

 

[Saint Nick]

alignment is jacked up.

or take it to a mechanic

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: nboy22
alignment?

This didn't happen gradually which I would expect to happen and the last time I had to get it aligned it was a very different vibration, not like this. I'll probably take this to a mechanic later this week but thought I'd post here to get advice anyone might have.

 

[mattgyver]

Since it's only under acceleration, maybe CV joints?

 

[Demo24]

how many miles on the tires

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: DEMO24
how many miles on the tires

Not many, just a few months old so maybe 1-3 thousand? I had them rotated and balanced the other day and that didn't make a difference.

 

[Minjin]

Take it to a mechanic. Most shade tree mechanics won't want to deal with things like tie rod ends and ball joints.

BUT...if you want to check it, jack the car up on that corner. Put your hands at 9 and 3 and wiggle the wheel. This is where you'll most likely feel wheel bearing play or tie rod play (you have to watch the tie rod to determine where the play is coming from). Put your hands at 12 and 6 and wiggle the wheel. This is where you'll most likely feel ball joint play. Now, I don't recall if the Accord has mcpherson struts. If it has double wishbones, you'll need to put the jack under the lower arm and jack it up just enough that the wheel leaves the ground. This will preload the suspension and now you'll be able to check the wheel bearings as above.

Other checks: Inner control arm bushings. Use a prybar for these and look for torn rubber. Dented wheels and/or missing wheel weights. You'll see a clean spot where the weight fell off.

But you're probably better off just taking it to a competent mechanic.

Mark

 

[mattgyver]

Does it make a popping noise when you turn? (the front end)

 

[Gamingphreek]

Originally posted by: Minjin
Take it to a mechanic. Most shade tree mechanics won't want to deal with things like tie rod ends and ball joints.

BUT...if you want to check it, jack the car up on that corner. Put your hands at 9 and 3 and wiggle the wheel. This is where you'll most likely feel wheel bearing play or tie rod play (you have to watch the tie rod to determine where the play is coming from). Put your hands at 12 and 6 and wiggle the wheel. This is where you'll most likely feel ball joint play. Now, I don't recall if the Accord has mcpherson struts. If it has double wishbones, you'll need to put the jack under the lower arm and jack it up just enough that the wheel leaves the ground. This will preload the suspension and now you'll be able to check the wheel bearings as above.

Other checks: Inner control arm bushings. Use a prybar for these and look for torn rubber. Dented wheels and/or missing wheel weights. You'll see a clean spot where the weight fell off.

But you're probably better off just taking it to a competent mechanic.

Mark

I believe the newer Accords have the double wishbones, but im not sure if the older one also have that.

What are your RPMs at those times, could your transmission be slipping?

-Kevin

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
I believe the newer Accords have the double wishbones, but im not sure if the older one also have that.

What are your RPMs at those times, could your transmission be slipping?

Yes, this has the double wishbone suspension. In terms of RPM generally above 2000rpm, a bit more noticeable at 3-4k rpm however I'm not sure about that and will check.

By the way, this is a manual transmission.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Minjin
Take it to a mechanic. Most shade tree mechanics won't want to deal with things like tie rod ends and ball joints.

BUT...if you want to check it, jack the car up on that corner. Put your hands at 9 and 3 and wiggle the wheel. This is where you'll most likely feel wheel bearing play or tie rod play (you have to watch the tie rod to determine where the play is coming from). Put your hands at 12 and 6 and wiggle the wheel. This is where you'll most likely feel ball joint play. Now, I don't recall if the Accord has mcpherson struts. If it has double wishbones, you'll need to put the jack under the lower arm and jack it up just enough that the wheel leaves the ground. This will preload the suspension and now you'll be able to check the wheel bearings as above.

Other checks: Inner control arm bushings. Use a prybar for these and look for torn rubber. Dented wheels and/or missing wheel weights. You'll see a clean spot where the weight fell off.

But you're probably better off just taking it to a competent mechanic.

Mark

Thanks for the detailed reply, I'll probably try some of what you said however like you mentioned I think I'd be better off taking it to a mechanic.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: mattgyver
Does it make a popping noise when you turn? (the front end)

No, I do not believe so. If it does, it's nothing I've noticed.

 

[natto fire]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: mattgyver
Does it make a popping noise when you turn? (the front end)

No, I do not believe so. If it does, it's nothing I've noticed.

Probably not the CVs then, if the were bad enough to make the vibrations you speak of, then they would be making quite a bit of racket when turning. While it is not common for wheel bearings to go out on cars from this era, might be worth a check, but tie rods are sounding more likely to be the culprit. If you decide to check it out yourself, also look at the bushings on the stabilizer bar. The rubber rots on these suprsingly fast.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Captain Howdy

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: mattgyver
Does it make a popping noise when you turn? (the front end)

No, I do not believe so. If it does, it's nothing I've noticed.

Probably not the CVs then, if the were bad enough to make the vibrations you speak of, then they would be making quite a bit of racket when turning. While it is not common for wheel bearings to go out on cars from this era, might be worth a check, but tie rods are sounding more likely to be the culprit. If you decide to check it out yourself, also look at the bushings on the stabilizer bar. The rubber rots on these suprsingly fast.

If it is the tie rods, what kind of price range for parts and labor do you suspect I'm looking at?

 

[spidey07]

First easy check is your tire pressure and inspect your tires.

Sounds too easy, but dem tires are important.

-edit- also tires out of balance, bent wheel. I'm not a mechanic so I'm throwing out the easy stuff.

And I believe you can check the CV by turning the wheel all the way one way and driving in circles.

 

[Soccerman06]

Check the rubber/silicon mounts the engine is one, they may be damaged or corroded somewhat and what your feeling is the vibration of the engine.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

If you rev the engine while in idle does it shake/shudder/stutter around 2000 rpm?

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: ThisIsMatt
If you rev the engine while in idle does it shake/shudder/stutter around 2000 rpm?

Nope

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: spidey07
First easy check is your tire pressure and inspect your tires.

Sounds too easy, but dem tires are important.

-edit- also tires out of balance, bent wheel. I'm not a mechanic so I'm throwing out the easy stuff.

And I believe you can check the CV by turning the wheel all the way one way and driving in circles.

Tires were checked for pressure, rotated, and balanced just a few days ago and it didn't m ake a difference, they're not bent either. It could be the CV.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Soccerman06
Check the rubber/silicon mounts the engine is one, they may be damaged or corroded somewhat and what your feeling is the vibration of the engine.

Possibly, however it doesn't happen in idle.

 

[ThisIsMatt]

Originally posted by: Soccerman06
Check the rubber/silicon mounts the engine is one, they may be damaged or corroded somewhat and what your feeling is the vibration of the engine.

Broken mounts on a 91 accord are generally felt at idle the most.

 

[Demo24]

Gonna say you have a tire thats seperating, but tends to happen on older tires. Makes it vibrate a hellva lot(I know I had one, scary as hell)

 

[us3rnotfound]

i bet its the sunroof, something very easy to overlook

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: us3rnotfound
i bet its the sunroof, something very easy to overlook

Oh shoot! I missed that!

Maybe the air freshner is throwing off the weight distribution?