Vibration on the front end

14937 Views 34 Replies 13 Participants Last post by michia, Sep 15, 2012

melchor1106

Discussion Starter · Sep 26, 2010

Today, we took the CT on a trip of approximately 300 miles. About 250 miles into the trip, a vibration developed in the front end, and it began to pull to the left. The onset was quite sudden. We had not braked hard nor had we hit anything. It just appeared out of no where. We stopped, inspected the front tires (back ones too) and found nothing. I checked the air pressure, checked to see if the wheel weights were still attached, and looked for anything out of the ordinary. Everything looked OK to me. Air pressure was good. None of the tires appeared to be worn or otherwise damaged. There was nothing loose, and no fasteners were missing. However, there was still a "shimmy" and it definitely contined to pull to the left.

I guess it'll be going back to the dealer next week.

-fred

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CCT

· #2 · Sep 26, 2010

Fred,
Tread separation and the resulting bulge may be hard to see. Taking them off for an inspection and spinning them on a balancing machine would be necessary.
If it is only the tires, the tire manufacturer's warranty would apply and may result in a dealer charge for inspection time. At the current rate of $100+ an hour -- well you get the picture.

A visit to the appropriate tire outlet may solve the problem, but if it were me, I'd jack up each front wheel enough to spin it to eyeball for trueness. You may be able to see an obvious bulge and out of trueness.

If nothing is visible, it's probably suspension/car warranty; If you can see a problem with the tire(s) then it's got to be tire warranty.

Not sure if putting the doughnut tire on each side to see if the vibration goes away would be helpful but if you have the time it might be worth the effort.

G/L

Colin

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CCT

· #3 · Sep 26, 2010

Another thought, Fred:
A large nail, rock or any object stuck in the treads would cause an out-of-balance symptom like you described. Don't forget to check for that first.

Pressure drop would be a hint too.

C.

melchor1106

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 26, 2010

There's no pressure drop. Neither are there nails or debris in tire either. Plus, after raising the wheels and spinning them, as the wise CCT suggested, I see nothing obvious. Since the owner of the local honda dealer is a family friend, I am going to let his guys check it out next week. Unfortunately, my schedule will force the service to mid week or later. I'll post the results here....

-fred

melchor1106

Discussion Starter · #5 · Sep 26, 2010

BTW, following a converstion both as a family and with the family friend (Bill) who owns the local Honda dealership, we've decided to keep the Crosstour. Bill says his guys will find a way to make that ECO light stop flashing even if is as shadetree as just clipping its leads.

Plus, in the new year, I will have more free time. I'll use that time to research, buy, and install an aftermarket back up cam. (If I still feel it is needed)

Lastly, I have had none of the problems that seem to plague some of our Crosstour brethern.

Paint chiping at spoiler and tail lights? No, (BTW, Bill said that about every other CT that arrived on his lot before March of 2010, arrived with improperly installed or even loose taillights. Honda actually sent delears a memo telling them to include taillight inspection in their new car checklist process. He hadn't heard anything about the spoiler.)

Oil use? No. Not a drop in almost 2,000 miles.

Door Handle sticking? No.

Oil leak? No.

So, I guess overall, our Jelly Bean is doing OK. (I still want a Taurus SHO though)

-fred

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JGRYAN

· #6 · Sep 26, 2010

Guys - CCT hit everything. On my right front tire we could see a bulge when it was on the balancer - that's what we replaced. Usually you'll only see a bulge or anomaly if you hit a Pothole or the tire was not put together correctly. Even the tire being off by a couple of pounds of air can cause issues. Double check them that they are at 32psi all around - while cold. Brookstone makes a great pressure gauge - not sure if they are even around anymore.
Fred - my Honda dealer is my best friend from high school - I've bought 7 - 8 cars from him.

melchor1106

Discussion Starter · #7 · Sep 26, 2010

JGRYAN said:
Fred - my Honda dealer is my best friend from high school - I've bought 7 - 8 cars from him.

Bill owns the only local Honda auto dealership as well as the only local Honda motorcycle shop in town. He also owns one of the two local Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealerships. Bill was a friend of my dad and uncles from back in thier highschool days. I think it was the early 1950's.

-fred

CCT

· #8 · Sep 27, 2010

melchor1106 said:
There's no pressure drop. Neither are there nails or debris in tire either. Plus, after raising the wheels and spinning them, as the wise CCT suggested, I see nothing obvious. Since the owner of the local honda dealer is a family friend, I am going to let his guys check it out next week. Unfortunately, my schedule will force the service to mid week or later. I'll post the results here....

-fred

Good luck with that checkup mid week Fred....I can't imagine something serious going wrong so quickly in the suspension to cause that issue but stay frosty in the event that's the case or it gets worse....

A final afterthought and I'm guessing that you checked this already but make sure there are no broken, missing or loose lugnuts.
Barring that, my guess is that it's something in the front suspension.

Take care, amigo

C.

melchor1106

Discussion Starter · #9 · Sep 29, 2010

So, this morning I finally have the time to have the dealer address the vibration in the Bean's front end. Only now IT'S NOT DOING IT! It's rolling as smoothe as glass. WTF?

-fred

chefmark

· #10 · Sep 29, 2010 (Edited)

melchor1106 said:
So, this morning I finally have the time to have the dealer address the vibration in the Bean's front end. Only now IT'S NOT DOING IT! It's rolling as smoothe as glass. WTF?

-fred

Still take it in, Have them put it up on the lift and see something is wrong with transaxle. With out a clue of how the CT is made, it could be you CV joint. Sometimes they can hang up and then go free.

OH Yea, One thing was it windy? Only reason I ask is that I have noticed the CT is very prone to crosswind. I live in KS so we know about wind

.

CCT

· #11 · Sep 29, 2010

Agreed , have it checked anyway, Fred. It might be something obvious to them that's still out of whack that you may not detect any more.

If nothing else, it will be a 'visit' for a problem should it return.

G/L
C.

melchor1106

Discussion Starter · #12 · Sep 29, 2010 (Edited)

I've been away on business. (flying, not driving) so today was my first chance to get the dealer to look at that vibration. As I said earlier, it was there Sunday and gone today. Literally, I parked it with the vibration, then three days later I drove it away without the vibration.

Anyway, the dealer picked it up today, kept it for about 3 hours and brought it back with no trouble found. They said they inspected all the tires, checked the balance on all the tires, rotated the tires, checked the front suspension, checked the alignment, checked the drive components, (I assume that was the CV joints) checked the stability control system, checked the brakes and rotors and drove it in town as well as on the interstate highway. No vibration.

*sigh* I know I'm not crazy. It vibrated and pulled to the left on Saturday evening and all day on Sunday. I'm glad it stopped, but I'd like to know why....

-fred

veasnalong

· #13 · Sep 30, 2010

melchor1106 said:
I've been away on business. (flying, not driving) so today was my first chance to get the dealer to look at that vibration. As I said earlier, it was there Sunday and gone today. Literally, I parked it with the vibration, then three days later I drove it away without the vibration.

Anyway, the dealer picked it up today, kept it for about 3 hours and brought it back with no trouble found. They said they inspected all the tires, checked the balance on all the tires, rotated the tires, checked the front suspension, checked the alignment, checked the drive components, (I assume that was the CV joints) checked the stability control system, checked the brakes and rotors and drove it in town as well as on the interstate highway. No vibration.

*sigh* I know I'm not crazy. It vibrated and pulled to the left on Saturday evening and all day on Sunday. I'm glad it stopped, but I'd like to know why....

-fred

i have a feeling maybe the brake master cylinder may got stuck that cause the car pull to one side. after you applied to the brake now master cylinder move freely then it fixed itself with out knowing.

pgarci01

· #14 · Sep 30, 2010

Could it have been something on the road?

CCT

· #15 · Sep 30, 2010

veasnalong said:
i have a feeling maybe the brake master cylinder may got stuck that cause the car pull to one side. after you applied to the brake now master cylinder move freely then it fixed itself with out knowing.

Naaaaaaaa....Fred's going crazy. He just doesn't know it yet.

We're here for you buddy. Hang in there bro and I think it's best you try the passenger seat for a week or 2.

C.

melchor1106

Discussion Starter · #16 · Sep 30, 2010 (Edited)

Bubala, bubala, bubala! I can see the music!

melchor1106

Discussion Starter · #17 · Sep 30, 2010

pgarci01 said:
Could it have been something on the road?

Nah, it was happening on every road. It was probably something that came unseated and then seated itself back into place. Eiether that or teh tire just needed soem rest.

chefmark

· #18 · Sep 30, 2010

CCT said:
Naaaaaaaa....Fred's going crazy. He just doesn't know it yet.
C.

We are all crazy...we drive a Jelly Bean

melchor1106 said:
Nah, it was happening on every road. It was probably something that came unseated and then seated itself back into place. Eiether that or teh tire just needed soem rest.

Cars are funny things, it the old days they were simple to know what was wrong. Now a days with computers doing everything but the steering we can only guess what might be up. One thing you can depend and that you drive a Honda most reliable cars on the road today

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CCT

· #19 · Sep 30, 2010

melchor1106 said:
Nah, it was happening on every road. It was probably something that came unseated and then seated itself back into place. Eiether that or teh tire just needed soem rest.

\

LOL, Fred, that sounds (and spells) like me

-- ( definitely the "rest" part)

Sorry, I'll get back on topic, Ummmm, I've thought about that problem now for 2 days and I just don't know what else to add except that maybe on your trip you encountered a strange beam from the Tarsus Nebula which the CT didn't like to much and it took a couple days for it to rid itself of the effects.

You're good to go now buddy.....

C.

--- I gotta get a job. I'm spending way too much time on the pc.

&648^8**[email protected]$over and out!12334$^#&(%.

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CCT

· #20 · Sep 30, 2010

chefmark said:
We are all crazy...we drive a Jelly Bean

LOL, my Jelly Bean is the sanest thing in my life

C.

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