2001 Saturn SL1 vibration

Tiny
DILLONFG
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 SATURN SL1
  • 1.9L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 108,000 MILES
My car is vibrating. The faster I go the more it vibrates. Cant really hear a noise other than the vibration from the dash rattling and sounds kind of like driving with big kidding tires. It completely stops when making a right turn. Do you have any idea the cause of this
Wednesday, October 1st, 2014 AT 3:14 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,055 POSTS
IT sounds like the right wheel bearing is bad. Also, make sure the tires are not worn unevenly, the rims are not bent, and there isn't a shifted belt in one of the tires. Since the noise stops when turning right, most likely the problem is from the right front tire. What happens is the vehicle's weight shifts to the left side and releases pressure from the right.
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Wednesday, October 1st, 2014 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
DILLONFG
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yea the tires are fine. No uneven wear. New tires pretty much. I was too the carrier bearing but that doesn't make since because it stopping completely when the weight shifts
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Wednesday, October 1st, 2014 AT 6:29 PM
Tiny
DILLONFG
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
But when we lifted the car and tried shaking the tire it didn't the bearing didn't make any noise
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Wednesday, October 1st, 2014 AT 6:32 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,055 POSTS
The bearing may feel tight, but the actual roller bearings (inside the bearing casing) could be shot. If the tires are good, nothing is bent, and there are no shifted belts in the tire, the bearing is my first suspect. I would also check the CV joint to make sure it isn't damaged or worn.
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Wednesday, October 1st, 2014 AT 6:52 PM
Tiny
DILLONFG
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
The Cc seems to be in fine shape. Its the short shaft axle that goes into a carrier bearing ant then a rod into the tranny. I really hope you are right and its the bearing or even the Cv cause I can buy the whole axle for 75 and Im sure the bearing would be cheap. As long as it isn't the carrier bearing like my mechanic assumed. It is hard to find and when you do it comes with a $400 price tag. Thank you very much for your knowledge and time
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Wednesday, October 1st, 2014 AT 7:46 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC II
  • MEMBER
  • 222 POSTS
DIFFERENT FELLER

DOES IT DO THIS WHILE COASTING?

LOOK AT YOUR ENGINE AND TRANNY MOUNTS TOO

WON'T HURT NUTHIN!

THE MEDIC
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Wednesday, October 1st, 2014 AT 7:55 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,055 POSTS
I have to be honest, if this is a front wheel drive vehicle as you mentioned, I don't believe it would have a carrier bearing. On the transmission, there are output bearings that the axle goes through. Maybe that is what he meant.
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Wednesday, October 1st, 2014 AT 7:59 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC II
  • MEMBER
  • 222 POSTS
IF HE COULD DISTINGUISH IF IT WERE ORIGINATING ON ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER

I'D MAYBE THINK IT WAS/ OR WAS THE START OF A "GOOSE EGG" ON A TIRE

SWAP THE FRONTS TO THE REAR ( AND REARS TO THE FRONT) AND LOOK FOR ANY CHANGE IN THE VIBRATION

USUALLY I CAN SPOT ONE BY REMOVING THE TIRES AND ROLLING THEM ON SMOOTH CONCRETE AND SEE IT SUDDENLY WOBBLE OUT OF LINE WHEN THE EGG HIT THE BOTTOM

I SUGGESTED TH MOUNTS, AS YOU DID NOT SAY IT MAYBE WAS VIBRATING WHILE SITTING STILL/ OR IN NEUTRAL AND REVVING THE ENGINE TO A FEW HIGHER RPMs

KEEP US POSTED

. AND A HAPPY DAY AT SCHOOL TOMORROW J&N!

THE MEDIC
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Wednesday, October 1st, 2014 AT 8:13 PM
Tiny
DILLONFG
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Yea it does when its coasting. When you give it gas it lets up a little. Coasting downhill its pretty bad too. Then when you make a right turn it quits completely.I couldn't see anything wrong with mounts
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Wednesday, October 1st, 2014 AT 8:15 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Are you sure the upper engine mount by the coolant bottle isnt bad?I have seen these saturns do that with that mount bad. It really sounds like that mount is bad can you post some good pics of that mount?
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Saturday, October 4th, 2014 AT 10:31 PM
Tiny
DILLONFG
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I am really thinking its the mounts somewhere. Hadn't thought to check there. Thank you and I will post pics tomorrow. I appreciate the help
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Saturday, October 4th, 2014 AT 10:59 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The first car that came into the saturn dealer I worked at like that when I drove it I was thinking what the heck is going on. Then when I found the problem I couldn't believe it was that mount doing that. Please keep me posted.
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Sunday, October 5th, 2014 AT 8:50 AM

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