2002 Subaru Outback Car Vibrations Recommendations

Tiny
ALEXHUIZ
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 SUBARU OUTBACK
  • 2.5L
  • 4 CYL
  • AWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
This past weekend I unfortunately slid my outback off an icy road, over a 2 foot sloped embankment into a field. I was alright and I was able to drive the outback out of the field and it appeared to be running well.

However as I picked up speed (roughly 55 m/h) I began to notice a vibration going through the entire car (steering wheel, headrests, etc). It only begins to happen at around 55 m/h and increases as I go faster.

What are some of your suggestions for the steps I should take to resolve this vibration?

Should I get the tires re-balanced or get the axles / other drive train components taken a look at?

Thanks in advance!
Wednesday, November 12th, 2014 AT 4:52 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
1ST THING!

YOU NEED TO HAVE A REPUTABLE ALIGNMENT SHOP LOOK IT OVER

YOU MAY HAVE BENT/ BROKE (EVEN SLIGHTLY) SUSPENSION PARTS, A RIM, ETC

SOMETHING CRITICAL, MIGHT BE EVEN BE DANGEROUS AT LOWER SPEEDS !

I'D LET THE WHEELS/ TIRES BE THE NEXT THING CHECKED OUT

BE SAFE!

THE MEDIC
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Wednesday, November 12th, 2014 AT 5:04 PM
Tiny
ALEXHUIZ
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Thanks for the quick reply! I did drive for a fair ways after the incident (over 50 km) without any further problems (aside from the vibrations). You would recommend I have a shop just take a full look over the car and see what they have to say?
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Wednesday, November 12th, 2014 AT 5:11 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
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YOU COULD DO THAT

I RECOMMENDED THE ALIGNMENT SHOP, AS THEY ARE MORE IN TUNE WITH THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF A VEHICLE, THEY MIGHT SPOT SOMETHING QUICKER THAN A REGULAR SHOP.

EVEN THOUGH YOU SEEM TO BE DRIVING OK, A PIN MAY BE BENT/ ALMOST SHEARED, SOMETHING COULD BE CRACKED. AT THE PRESENT 55 MPH IS SHOWING THE SYMPTOMS. A 30 MPH TURN AND THE RIGHT CONDITIONS MIGHT FINISH BREAKING A "WOUNDED" PART. IT MIGHT NOT BE A GOOD THING!

BUT LET'S LOOK AT THE BRIGHT SIDE, MAYBE THEY'LL ALIGN YOUR RIG, AND GIVE YOU A CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH!

THEN YOU COULD SEARCH FOR A NICE JEEP CJ !

I COULD HELP YOU GET IT BACK IN TIP TOP SHAPE (CJs ARE MY HEART!)

PLEASE KEEP US POSTED AS YOU DEAL WITH THIS

THE MEDIC
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Wednesday, November 12th, 2014 AT 5:28 PM
Tiny
ALEXHUIZ
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I went to talked to the boys at the Subaru dealership and after telling them my story, they immediately figured it out! When I had slid into the ditch a fair bit of snow had stuck in gotten stuck on the inside of my rim and managed to stay there over the past few days. He suggested brushing all that out before I tried any other solutions. After giving it all a good brush/chisel out, the vibration is gone!

Thanks for the help and quick responses provided on this forum!
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Saturday, November 15th, 2014 AT 7:00 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
HOW STUPID OF ME!

DOWN HERE IN SC SNOW IS NOT A REAL COMMON THING, WHEN IT DOES SHOW UP, IT DON'T STAY LONG

I ANSWER MOST OF THE JEEP CJ 5 AND CJ 7 QUESTIONS AND OTHER CARBURETED VEHICLES. THIS NEWER CRAP IS WAY TOO COMPLICATED AND COSTLY (AND IT REALLY SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE) FOR THE AVERAGE JOE TO COMPREHEND AND REPAIR

IF YOU PERFORM A "SEARCH" USING "CJ MEDEVAC, WHEEL WEIGHTS, GOOSE EEG, MUD, RIM"

YOU WILL FIND THAT MANY TIMES I'VE TOLD OTHER FOLKS WITH VIBRATION PROBLEMS TO LOOK FOR MUD CAKED UP IN THE BACK SIDE OF THEIR RIM!

SORRY I DIDN'T THINK OF THAT ON YOURS!

GLAD YOU GOT IT FIXED

THE MEDIC
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Saturday, November 15th, 2014 AT 8:56 AM
Tiny
ALEXHUIZ
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  • 4 POSTS
Haha no worries CJ! I appreciate your quick responses and help!
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Saturday, November 15th, 2014 AT 8:59 AM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
KEEP YOURS OUTTA TROUBLE

JUST SEND YOUR FRIENDS OVER TO SEE US!

THE MEDIC
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Saturday, November 15th, 2014 AT 6:41 PM

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