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Possible shock absorber issue, car shakes/vibration when accelerating

Tiny
BBONDOV
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 RENAULT CLIO
  • 1.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 124,000 MILES
Hello,

I have a shaking feeling of the car when I accelerate from 90km/h until 100-110km/h.
Yesterday I was go in service for tires balance and they do only the front ones.
I go on the high way to test and the vibration are still but lower.
Until I drive one guy go next to me open the window and point me my back left tire.
I position the left back mirror to see whats going on and when accelerate again I see vibration and shaking again.
So I come back to the service they check the back wheels and say they are balanced.
What should be the problem then?

Thanks,

Bonyo Bondov, Netherlands
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Sunday, May 3rd, 2020 AT 3:28 AM

15 Replies

Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Hello. Do you feel the shaking more in the steering wheel or in your seat? If it's in the wheel, then that indicates a problem on the front end. If it's more in the seat, then that indicates a problem in the rear. If it's in the rear, then the problem is likely balancing, loose lug nuts, or a bad tire.

Here's a guide on tires and their various issues. Use it to inspect your tires and see if maybe you can identify the issue yourself:

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

Let us know what you find.
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Sunday, May 3rd, 2020 AT 5:03 AM
Tiny
BBONDOV
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Hello again.

I not feel it in front anymore after from tire been balanced.
As I say when I feel vibration and shaking start when I look through the left mirror to my back left wheel is really vibrating. When I reduce the throttle the vibration gone around 90km/h. The same vibration gone when I am above 110-115km/h
It is really strange.
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Sunday, May 3rd, 2020 AT 5:40 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
To me it really does sound like that tire is out of balance. But jack that wheel up and inspect the tire tread as laid out in the guide that I posted earlier. Also, put one hand on the top of the tire and one hand on the bottom and see if there's any movement back and forth. Compare it with the other rear wheel. Much movement there would suggest that it's time to replace the wheel bearings.
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Sunday, May 3rd, 2020 AT 6:39 AM
Tiny
BBONDOV
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Hello Heyman.

The service guy lifted the car and do the same thing as you described.
He rotate the both rear wheels and say everything is fine here.
The thing that make me confused also is on road pumps the car is like boat. Didn't absorb the bumps.
I don't think is from the bearing because I didn't hear any sound when I drive.
I have bearings problem in my last car so I know the problem.

Greetings
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Sunday, May 3rd, 2020 AT 6:45 AM
Tiny
BBONDOV
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Update after take the car from the service:
The service say that the problem is in front left axle that come from the engine.
I don't get it. The problem is in the back they send me to the front?
I will try to change front wheels to go back and back one to front so to eliminate curve wheel as a problem.
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Wednesday, May 6th, 2020 AT 6:05 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,536 POSTS
This can be because the vibration can travel. Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on? That would be great. You can upload it here with your response.
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Saturday, May 9th, 2020 AT 12:37 PM
Tiny
BBONDOV
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Problem is solved guys.
Here in Netherlands the car services look you like ATM and don't care what problem you have.
So from the first service when they balanced the front wheels and problem still stay they say the back wheels are balanced.
So I decided to make experiment by myself: front wheels go in the back and back ones go to the front and Voila, like french guys says. The vibration is gone and in same way I feel it on the front by steering wheel.
And few days ago I balanced my front (back wheels) in another garage (service) now everything is perfect.
Bottom line: unbalanced wheels in all axes.
Tip: when you buy second hand car balance all tires.
Cheers!
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Saturday, May 9th, 2020 AT 1:07 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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It sounds like a tire problem from the start but they kept saying they were okay, DOH. Nice work, we are here to help, please use 2CarPros anytime.
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Monday, May 11th, 2020 AT 10:39 AM
Tiny
HARRY P
  • MECHANIC
  • 2,292 POSTS
Nice! Glad you got it worked out. Tire/wheel/suspension problems can be tricky to diagnose. Often times people spend a lot of money on repairs they didn't need. Good work.
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Monday, May 11th, 2020 AT 8:20 PM
Tiny
BBONDOV
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Hello there!

I have another issue with the rear axis.
It is similar to my first problem, so I have a question here to not open a new one.

When I drive on the highway over 100 km/h and if I get slight corner or just get pass some other car if there is very small bump in the road, I feel the car (especially in rear axle) go like left-right for part of the second.
If the road is straight and also come bump its shaking just a little without go left-right shakes.
Could it be rear anti-roll connection elements that are with rubber and that rubber is already so hard that can't hold? Or rear shock absorbers?
I have no clue where to look first.

Thank you!
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Monday, January 24th, 2022 AT 3:07 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Hi,

It could be either. If you bounce the rear of the vehicle, how many bounces does it take for it to stop bouncing?

Inspect the rear shocks. Look for evidence of oil leaking from them. Also, try what I mentioned and let me know the results.

Joe
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Wednesday, January 26th, 2022 AT 8:22 PM
Tiny
BBONDOV
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
There are no leaks under or in any place of the shock absorbers.
When push it down and immediately move out it make 1 and 1/3 jumps then stop.
The instability does not come on every time when I drive fast and go over some bump on the road.
If I can inspect some other parts or do some specific tests when driving to close me to the possible solution, I can do it.

Bonyo
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Thursday, January 27th, 2022 AT 1:38 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Hi,

If it stops that fast, the shocks sound good. This model isn't offered in the US, but I'll try my best to help direct you.

I was able to find a pic of the rear suspension for this vehicle. I highlighted two places where I believe you will find where it is connected.

There should be rubber bushings in that area. Take the weight off one wheel at a time and using a pry bar, see if there is play in any of the components.

Let me know. Also, if you could take a pic of what you see in the rear of the vehicle and upload it for me to see, it should help me.

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Thursday, January 27th, 2022 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
BBONDOV
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Hi Joe!

The picture diagram you upload is similar, but the model is other, I think.
I check for the whole rear axle body of my Clio 2006 (MK3) 1.4 and I upload it here.
Also, I took some photos with my phone on my car as far I can get.
The component I highlighted with red is a view from the red arrow on the full body axle. There is a rubber absorber I believe or bearing with rubber body.
Images (Click to make bigger)
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Friday, January 28th, 2022 AT 4:28 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,724 POSTS
Hi,

Yes, the one you circled is certainly a possibility. Check both sides with a pry bar to see if there is excessive movement.

Anywhere that axle mounts, there will be some type of bushing, so check for others.

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Friday, January 28th, 2022 AT 5:43 PM

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