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Front end vibration?

Tiny
DIAKPO
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 TOYOTA RAV4
  • 201,000 MILES
Thanks so much for your attention. Over the past few months, anytime I drive, the back of the car shakes when I turn corners or go over rough roads. My mechanic examined the car and said he said he had to change the rear lower control arm bushings. And the stabilizer linkage.
Afterward, the car no longer vibrates when it turns a bend, but now vibrates toward the front when I go down rough road.
What could possibly be wrong? Also no leakage from the struts or shock absorbers.
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 11:22 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

The idea that it vibrates can be from several things. Does it seem to happen at a specific speed or is there anything that prompts it to happen? For example, do you feel it when the brakes are applied or it stops when the brakes are applied?

As far as the front suspension, if it seems like a rattling, check the stabilizer links to see if one is loose or broken. I attached a pic below showing the location.

Interestingly, this could be something as simple as a tire balance issue or a bent rim. When it happens, do you feel it in the steering wheel?

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 8:06 PM
Tiny
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Good morning. No it doesn't occur when the brakes see applied. It occurs at a lower speed erratically and on rough road. If the road is smooth, it doesn't occur. It is very uncomfortable but I don't feel it in the steering wheel.
I had done the tire balance a month ago.
After I noticed these problems yesterday, I checked the tires and did a repeat alignment. Then a tire tech tightened the lug nuts on the left front tire, and checked pressures. No more vibrations down the front but more now more of a lateral bouncing movement on rough road.
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Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020 AT 10:54 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

If you experience bouncing, it sounds like a weak shock absorber. Although there are no leaks from them, they can become weak.

Since you had the vehicle realigned, I have to assume the tech checked all steering and suspension components.

If you bounce the front of the vehicle aggressively and then stop, does it stop bouncing within 3 bounces?

Joe
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Thursday, December 24th, 2020 AT 12:02 AM
Tiny
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  • 34 POSTS
Will check and get back to you ASAP.
Thanks so much. There is a time difference of over 9 hours so sorry for the time lag.
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Thursday, December 24th, 2020 AT 12:37 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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  • 109,885 POSTS
Hi,

No problem with the time issues. I'll be here. Take care and I hope you have a great Christmas.

Joe
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Thursday, December 24th, 2020 AT 7:43 PM
Tiny
DIAKPO
  • MEMBER
  • 34 POSTS
Hi, happy Christmas. I tried bouncing the front part of the car. It only bounced twice.
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Friday, December 25th, 2020 AT 3:04 AM
Tiny
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That is usually a good indicator that the shocks are okay. Can you contact the shop that did the alignment and ask if things like tie rods, ball joints, and other components were all inspected? Please bear with me, but I am assuming that since the rear control arm bushings were replaced, the front were checked, correct?

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, December 25th, 2020 AT 4:34 PM
Tiny
DIAKPO
  • MEMBER
  • 34 POSTS
Hi there. How was Christmas? I hope good. I did as you asked. He checked the stabilizer linkages, ball joints, tie rods. The only thing he noticed was the stabilizer rubbers were loose, so he changed that. I also checked the tires and the pressures are alright.
The car has improved by 50%. His scratching his head and I am also perplexed. A thought crossed my mind, could poorly installed tires cause this problem? Though my tires have not been leaking air. Or what do you think?
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 7:47 AM
Tiny
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Hi,

I did have a nice Christmas. Thanks for asking. I hope you did as well.

As far as tires, I'm sure he would have noticed if there was a loose wheel. However, tire balance can do this, a shifted belt in a tire, a bent rim, or even a flat spot on a tire. Are they wearing evenly? Take a look through this link. It shows different wear patterns on tires and the causes.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-car-tires-work

Is there any noise associated with the vibration? For example, a humming?

Joe
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Monday, December 28th, 2020 AT 10:26 PM
Tiny
DIAKPO
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Hi there.

I think my mechanic is a con artist.
No humming. But (foolish me) I pushed down on the back of the boot and I noticed a bouncing springy noise. It doesn't bounce more than one time, but when it did it made noises like an old couch.

Also checked the tires through the link you sent. They seem okay.
Nothing extraordinarily. But I double checked with a tire tech. Nothing to worry about, he says.
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 10:13 AM
Tiny
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It's not clunking or rattling. More of a squeal under strain but not noticeable on straight road.
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 10:19 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

If you hear more of a squeak or squeal, chances are it is related to a bushing or mount. If it loud enough for you to record and upload for me to hear?

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, December 29th, 2020 AT 10:42 PM
Tiny
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Will upload ASAP.
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Wednesday, December 30th, 2020 AT 8:36 AM

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