Bad vibration in front end

[HondaMomma6]

i have a really bad vibration going on when I get over 50 mph..it gets a little better the faster I go..Have had the tires balanced and other stuff done but nothing has helped so far ..does anyone have any ideas on what I can try to fix this problem??

[deevergote]

Tire balance is always the first thing to consider. Even though you had them balanced, you could always try rotating the tires to see if it makes a difference. Sometimes the tire technicians don't do a very good job...
Also, your wheels could be bent. With enough damage, a wheel can be impossible to balance properly.

Alignment is another possible problem. If your alignment is off, you'll notice a vibration.

Blown shocks could cause a vibration.

Warped brake rotors could cause a vibration (you'd notice it much more when braking, though.)

Worn suspension bushings could cause a vibration.

Worn tie rods could cause a vibration.

[JDMDriver]

Although you had it "balanced" how balanced they were able to get it is another question.

Was it vibrating after the balance or before?

Not all wheels are balanced pefectly even after applying the weights and how perfect they are able to get it is a question of time, experience and how much pressure they are under on the day (in other words human factor).

I suggest in the future that you speak with the people that balanced it and ask how it went. Sometimes they would report that they were able to balance it easily or sometimes report that there is an anomaly with either the rims or the tyres and give a more detailed (verbal) feed back.

Secondly look at the front axles. The longest one would normally have a rubber balancer on it somewhere close to the centre. If the CV joints have been replaced or the boot replaced this rubber is not reinstalled.

If it was fine after being balanced but then developed the vibration after a few days or weeks, then it could be the result of one of the balancing weights being dislodged.

[HondaMomma6]

The vibration started before we got the tires balanced and we did get an alignment but it never helped.

We have replaced a lot off parts on the car to try to figure it out with no luck.

I think our next move is replacing the bushings to see if that helps.

Thanks for all the suggestions!!

[Losiracer2]

The vibration started before we got the tires balanced and we did get an alignment but it never helped.

We have replaced a lot off parts on the car to try to figure it out with no luck.

I think our next move is replacing the bushings to see if that helps.

Thanks for all the suggestions!!

Definitely check the upper control arm bushings. I had a pretty noticeable vibration, even after replacing both upper arms w/ balljoints. Turned out the bolt holding the control arm bushings, even though they were new, had not been tightened enough and would cause a vibration on the highway. Thanks Autozone. I tightened them up and the car is smooth as butter.

So chances are, if yours are original, they're probably shot and need replacement. They make a BIG impact on eliminating vibrations.

But things that could cause vibrations:
-upper/lower balljoints
-Axles
-Bent wheels
-Separated tires
-Brakes (upon decelerating only usually_
-Motor mounts (if the rubber is that far gone, could cause the engine to sit cocked)

[deevergote]

Any replacement suspension components are best purchased directly from Honda. There are some poorly made cheap suspension parts out there that can actually be dangerous. Honda stuff is a little more expensive, but it will last another 20 years.

[HondaMomma6]

Definitely check the upper control arm bushings. I had a pretty noticeable vibration, even after replacing both upper arms w/ balljoints. Turned out the bolt holding the control arm bushings, even though they were new, had not been tightened enough and would cause a vibration on the highway. Thanks Autozone. I tightened them up and the car is smooth as butter.

So chances are, if yours are original, they're probably shot and need replacement. They make a BIG impact on eliminating vibrations.

But things that could cause vibrations:
-upper/lower balljoints
-Axles
-Bent wheels
-Separated tires
-Brakes (upon decelerating only usually_
-Motor mounts (if the rubber is that far gone, could cause the engine to sit cocked)

thanks . things that have been done so far to the car :

alignment, tire balancing, replaced outer tie rod ends, axles and motor mounts. also the upper control arms have been replaced with ball joints.

after all those things the vibration is still there. the vibration is felt in the steering wheel and at my feet. It gets really bad around 50mph and the faster I go it starts to go away. I had the tires rotated to see if that would change anything and nothing.

what next ??????? i want to drive this thing without worrying something might fall off cause that is what it feels like sometimes. Yes the lugnuts are tight. !!!

['93CB7Ex]

might be your cv axles. mine went bad and it shook so bad it bounced change out of the ash tray.

[Losiracer2]

you said you replaced axles, but what brand or store did you get them from? Quality of the reman. also makes a difference.

FYI, never buy Autozone axles...they're a big disappointment. I hope you didn't get yours from there

[HondaMomma6]

I got the axles from were I work.

They are new not remans.

I guess we are just going to go through everything one by one until we fix the problem..dont really have much of a choice..makes me nervous to drive it now days!!

[tn_accords]

Do you think it could be something with the radius rod bushings???

[GeoffM]

Do you think it could be something with the radius rod bushings???

It could be. They are bushings are a fairly large. When mine loosened I had similar symptoms to if they went bad:
Torque steer
An odd noise (it's the threads rubbing against metal)
Vibration on the highway
The car will steer itself

If they're really bad they'll bounce back and forth. I've seen a video before but I can't find it right now.

[HondaMomma6]

I think that is the next to be changed on the car.

really hoping that it works so we want have to keep looking for the problem.

[GeoffM]

Diagnosing before replacing is usually the way to go. Otherwise you'll spend a ton.
If you want to do the bushings, and want a bit of an upgrade, I'd recommend the Prothane master bushing kit. It comes with almost every single bushing in our cars. It's much stiffer, but will eliminate most problems associated with bushings.

A few notes: They're made on demand, so when you order it expect it to take a few weeks
It's fairly exhausting to put them in. If you can afford to pay a shop to do it, just go buy another car
They're much stiffer than stock.

[WagonLX]

I would put all vibrating problem vehicles on a lift and have someone else duplicate the vibration while watching from underneath. Pretty easy to tell what is causing it this way, if you have access to a lift. Should be in the front end since you can feel it in the steering wheel. The only things this method wo'nt diagnose would be anything that has to do with the tire touching the ground. (ex. suspension) Suspension components can easily be checked for looseness or anything else by lifting it off the ground and doing a "shakedown". Wiggling the tires back and forth from side to side & top to bottom. Then have someone else looking for something moving that should'nt.