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12-19-2011, 05:07 PM
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#1
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,686
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Can ball joints cause a shake at highway speeds
For my Saturn Vue. It has 113k on the clock and many of those those miles on bumpy inner-city roads. The car has been shaking quite badly at around 70 and getting worse at higher speeds. I don't usually drive fast enough for it to be too annoying, but can that be caused by ball joints? I am terrified of one failing on me on my way to school and having to get stuck on the Cross Bronx. How can I check it out? Thanks.
Oh, the reason I think it may be the ball joints is that earlier this year, I had an alignnment and new ball joints on my Camaro, and the car stopped shaking on the highway. I doubt it was from the alignment, so I figure maybe it was the ball joints? I don't know.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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12-19-2011, 05:20 PM
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#2
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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Doubt it. Usually its tire balance, driveshaft balance, u-joints on said driveshaft, or a bad tire/rim. How is the tread depth on the tires? Where do you feel the shaking from, the steering wheel, seats, floor?
To check for worn ball joints, jack the car up and grab the tire at 6 and 12. Have an assistant watch the ball joints as you pull towards and away on the tire while feeling for irregular movement from the tire. Its pretty simple and only takes a couple seconds. You should also grab at 6 and 3 to check the tie rod ends and other components depending on the steering setup.
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12-19-2011, 05:26 PM
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#3
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Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: barnegat nj
Posts: 1,340
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how old are tires? possible shifted belt in tire, or weights cam off?
shaking in front end usually caused by tire problem, tie-rod,centerlink,drag link etc.. ball joints not normally, just usually a annoying clunk noise or squeaking noise while turning wheel.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SRGN
I never pulled into the staging beams at the track and saw a dyno in the other lane.
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South Jersey Racecraft
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12-19-2011, 09:22 PM
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#4
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,686
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It is definitely tire related then, as the shaking seems to have moved from the front to the rear with a rotation. Makes sense. Car does clunk like mad though, so the ball joints aren't ruled out completely. Thanks for the tip fellas. I'm going to put it in the air and check it out soon.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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12-19-2011, 10:08 PM
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#5
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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Also check your sway bar end links and bushings, they tend to clunk.
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12-27-2011, 11:41 PM
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#6
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: West Long Branch
Posts: 13,598
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Quote:
Originally Posted by qwikz28
It is definitely tire related then, as the shaking seems to have moved from the front to the rear with a rotation. Makes sense. Car does clunk like mad though, so the ball joints aren't ruled out completely. Thanks for the tip fellas. I'm going to put it in the air and check it out soon.
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What Adam said.
Balance the tires. Clunking can be related to the sway bar links or front struts/mounts.
Suggest replacement of OE shocks/struts at 50k as per MAP guidelines. /professional
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2/20/2013: They Day the ****s Stopped
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12-29-2011, 09:36 AM
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#7
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,686
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
What Adam said.
Balance the tires. Clunking can be related to the sway bar links or front struts/mounts.
Suggest replacement of OE shocks/struts at 50k as per MAP guidelines. /professional
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Is there anything that can be done to temporarily reduce the clunking from the strut mounts? The shocks have about 40k on them and I don't really want to do the mounts until I'm ready to replace the shocks which I won't do until I'm no longer commuting through the Bronx (although they are worn as can be already).
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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12-29-2011, 10:09 AM
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#8
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Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: West Long Branch
Posts: 13,598
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Quote:
Originally Posted by qwikz28
Is there anything that can be done to temporarily reduce the clunking from the strut mounts? The shocks have about 40k on them and I don't really want to do the mounts until I'm ready to replace the shocks which I won't do until I'm no longer commuting through the Bronx (although they are worn as can be already).
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If it's coming from the strut mounts, no.
If it's coming from the sway bar links, no
Keep on clunkin...
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2/20/2013: They Day the ****s Stopped
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12-29-2011, 10:21 AM
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#9
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Meet Coordinator
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: brick/pt. pleasant beach
Posts: 19,341
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Get a can of red grease and SPRAY ALL TEH THINGSSSSS!!!!!!!
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12-29-2011, 10:40 PM
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#10
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13 Second Club / Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Franklin Lakes, NJ
Posts: 8,686
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28
If it's coming from the strut mounts, no.
If it's coming from the sway bar links, no
Keep on clunkin...
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I'll replace the sway bar links on the next warm day. I've replaced them twice before, this noise is different though. Won't hurt to throw new ones on anyway.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by LS1ow
Except Jersey mike, great kid, but the way he looks at me makes me feel like im in danger
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