Bad shock ? strut?

[hat1018]

I have a vibration (?) sporadically from what seems to be the right rear. how can i tell if the strut is bad? The strange part is it only does this during the first 1 or 2 miles of a trip.

 

[joshritger]

Have you checked to make sure that your parking brake isn't sticking or hanging up. One of my parents old cars would do that from time to time and they never did figure out why. One of the wheels would just start to bounce for a short distance, and we pinned it down to the brakes, but nothing appeared to be wrong with them. Maybe one is just sticking.

 

[racerfrank]

Check the rear shocks for fluid down the outside of the shock. If its leaking you can't miss it.

 

[hat1018]

Check the rear shocks for fluid down the outside of the shock. If its leaking you can't miss it.

I guess that would be a good place to start, and should have thought of that myself(hand)

 

[racerfrank]

My 3 had only 33K miles and I was suprised that the rear shock was leaking with the car being only 2 years old. Parts aren't what they used to be.

 

[hat1018]

My 3 had only 33K miles and I was suprised that the rear shock was leaking with the car being only 2 years old. Parts aren't what they used to be.

Mine has far more miles onit than that and i bought it used so i have no clue when or if the shocks have ever been changed. BTW parking brake is good to go no hang- ups.

 

[mjstew]

where is the vibration coming from?
the steering wheel? Can you feel it in your seat?

 

[hat1018]

from the rear end. i feel it in my seat, and hear it to a certain extent. Wheel bearing?

 

[mjstew]

it could be a wheel bearing, it could be a damaged or worn u-joint... if you can, i'd get it on a lift or jack up the rear end and take the rear tires off and try to get a good look at everything...there are diagrams for what everything should look like in the suspension area (autozone.com tends to have some good free online resources)

hope this helps

 

[hat1018]

it could be a wheel bearing, it could be a damaged or worn u-joint... if you can, i'd get it on a lift or jack up the rear end and take the rear tires off and try to get a good look at everything...there are diagrams for what everything should look like in the suspension area (autozone.com tends to have some good free online resources)

hope this helps

Thanks for the tips.

 

[flash75]

I have a vibration (?) sporadically from what seems to be the right rear. how can i tell if the strut is bad? The strange part is it only does this during the first 1 or 2 miles of a trip.

Since it only happens during the first 1 or 2 miles I would suspect the tires.
Check the air pressure. Many of todays tires will flat spot overnight and as they warm up the flat spot goes away and the vibration stops. I think it's more common with low profile tires.

Clifton

 

[hat1018]

Since it only happens during the first 1 or 2 miles I would suspect the tires.
Check the air pressure. Many of todays tires will flat spot overnight and as they warm up the flat spot goes away and the vibration stops. I think it's more common with low profile tires.

Clifton

Ok. I will give them a look see too.

 

[mjstew]

Ok. I will give them a look see too.

just to add a little bit to this... ive heard from a few people who have aluminum rims that whenever the weather changes significantly (ie change in atmospheric pressure, very cold to hot etc) their tire pressures get all screwed up.