Looking for suggestions about front vibration...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
Likes: 4
From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Looking for suggestions about front vibration...
Just replaced the front pads. Previously the vette would shake real bad when I hit the brakes. I figure I warped a rotor or something. The front drivers side was 1/2 worn. The front pass side was starting to go metal to metal. Took the rotors to OReily's to have them turned. The driver's side was thick enough to still be turned. The pass side was already below the 'allowed' thickness, so I had to buy a new one. Reinstalled everything, bled the brakes and it all works fine.
However.....
While the car was off the ground, I did notice some play in the front pass wheel. I could grab the top and bottom and giggle it a bit. Could my front hub be going out? The car does not shake during normal driving, but when I hit the brakes it still vibrates a little (a lot better than before), even after turning the rotor and buying a new one. Could a worn wheel hub cause this? Could the new rotor need turning even though it is P-n-P out of the box? The wheels are torqued down in the star pattern so I dont think it is a loose wheel. Am I on the right track or is it normal for the hub to have 1-2mm of play when you shake the wheel? Any help is appreciated.
However.....
While the car was off the ground, I did notice some play in the front pass wheel. I could grab the top and bottom and giggle it a bit. Could my front hub be going out? The car does not shake during normal driving, but when I hit the brakes it still vibrates a little (a lot better than before), even after turning the rotor and buying a new one. Could a worn wheel hub cause this? Could the new rotor need turning even though it is P-n-P out of the box? The wheels are torqued down in the star pattern so I dont think it is a loose wheel. Am I on the right track or is it normal for the hub to have 1-2mm of play when you shake the wheel? Any help is appreciated.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,444
Likes: 0
Re: Looking for suggestions about front vibration... (VetteNoob)
Move the wheel and followthe linkage. There will be a spot where two things connect together and one is moving with the wheel and one that is not. That the bad part.
It is most likely a tie rod end if the motion is side to side.
Just take it for an alignment or see a mechanic. They will tell you what is wrong. Watch what they do, ask them to show you. From then on you will know how.
It is most likely a tie rod end if the motion is side to side.
Just take it for an alignment or see a mechanic. They will tell you what is wrong. Watch what they do, ask them to show you. From then on you will know how.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 177
Likes: 0
From: Escondido CA
Re: Looking for suggestions about front vibration... (Jay Axson)
side to side slack is tie rod --or worse (rack) usually up and down (grabbing the top and bottom of the tire) movement is bad bearings . if just the top or just the bottom moves -look at the ball joints
Drifting
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 84
From: Round Rock TX
Re: Looking for suggestions about front vibration... (VetteNoob)
You might also check the runout on the rotors. Take a dial caliper and put it on the rotor surface and see if the needle moves a lot. If the movement is not all that much then it is not the problem. If it moves see if removing the rotor and turning it 180 degrees and putting it back on solves the issue. This type of thing is common practice in the older cars, and not sure how much of an effect it has on the C4s.
As a side note, I had a front end shake and when my wheel bearing were replaced it went away.
As a side note, I had a front end shake and when my wheel bearing were replaced it went away.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,320
Likes: 4
From: Kyle TX (Because Mojo Made me fill it in)
Re: Looking for suggestions about front vibration...
Thanks for the suggestions. I can wiggle it in all directions. Any other suggestions or does that pretty much cover it?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 91
From: Leander TX
Re: Looking for suggestions about front vibration... (VetteNoob)
Sounds like it could be the hub. Fun though it felt like a warped rotor all the way when I was in your car riding with you. If it is just the tie rod end I can fix that for you no problem.
