Vibration @35-40 Mph, Off Center Steering Wheel, HELP!

[03MazduhP5]

Hi and thanks for opening my post. SORRY its so long but, I'm new here and maybe you can help me out with my problem. I have a 2003 Protege5 with the Automatice/Sportronic Transmission (not sure what its called). I bought this car about 4 months ago and I LOVE it, up until about 2 weeks ago when I noticed my cars steering wheel was a bit off center, looks to be little bit to the left, so when I hold it straight the car goes right.. I also noticed it was making this vibration and rubbing/grinding noise @35 -40mph that only I can feel, Not my passenger, I have also rode on the passenger and it feels smooth, but when Im driving it, it feels not so nice. I really don't know how to describe it, just that its pretty noticeable TO ME at 35ish mph, once above, the car runs really smooth. At first my brother checked the wheels to see if it might be a wheel bearing, and also the cv axles and , he said everything was tight. I also put the car in drive while in the air and ran it to about 35 and its still made the same rubbing noise, but not the vibration, of course im guessing because it was lifted. Also I checked my Transmission fluid today, just because I thought perhaps It had to do with the transmission, and I noticed it was pretty dirty looks brown/yellow, not Nice and pink like it did on My old car.. I was just wondering if perhaps anyone else has had this same Vibration and figured out the problem.. Also let me add that I did get my wheels balanced too and that did not fix my problem. I also wanted to know does the wheel really have to move up and down or side to side when you check it for a bad wheel bearing? or is that just for bad Hub?

 

[tweety2300]

Does the vibration seem to move? Like start at your feet and travel back?

 

[north42g]

Ok, Before I give advice, let me first say:
As a Automotive Proffesional I feel compelled to give the following Disclaimer:
Checking the integrity or safety of the front end suspension & steering components should be done by a proffesional. Someone who knows what they are looking for specifically. An inproper diagnosis can lead to a severe accident or even death. In no way is the following advice an acurate diagnostic review. Seriously, think about it.
The rubbing/grinding noise tells me that something is out of alignment and is rubbing on the inner fender well.[ Did you hit deep pothole? Or maybe a large curb recently? (bring it in for a proffesional look).]
With one front wheel lifted and adjacent on ground grab lifted wheel at 3 o'clock & 9 o'clock and try tio shake in and out. If there is a great deal of "play" when doing so, you likely have a failed inner/outer Tie-Rod OR Wheel Bearing/Hub Assembly.(hub/wheel bearing is same unit on these cars)
Next grab the same wheel at 12 o'clock & 6 o'clock. again shake in/out. If any play is found , the likely cause is a lower ball joint. If the component is in bad or VERY bad shape, it will be easy to detect.
If all checks out GOOD. You likely need a four wheel Alignment. However, If all checks out, there are a few things you can try before going in for an Alignment: I know you said your wheels have been balanced....but be sure they were balanced correctly. Try to see if any wheel wieghts have fallen off.
Next; take a close look at your front tires. Look for any flat spots or scallaping or feathering of the tire.(scallaoping/feathering means that there are obvious signs of high & low spots in the tread, usually close to the shoulder or edge of the tire.)
If you don't notice anything obvious; rotate the front tires/wheels to the rear of the car and rear on front. Then test drive to see if problem "moves" with the tires.
From what you describe, it sounds like you are going to need an alignment of at least, the front end. In my Area, Massachusetts, theuy usually cast anywhere from $69.00 - $109.00.
Definately get it checked out though, you want the car you are driving to be SAFE! And not to mention...I want the car next to me on the highway to also be safe....especially at 80 mph!
IF BY CHANCE, that after you have an alignment performed and still does not fix the problem.....you likely have an internal drivetrain issue. For example: bad transmission, bad final drive assembly(located inside transaxle), Could also be a bad front axle vibration.(you would not be able to dianose this by shaking the wheels.
Good luck, let us know if we helped & what the issue ended up to be. Good Luck!

 

[03MazduhP5]

No it seems to just stay on my feet, I can't feel any vibration on the shift knob or my passenger can't feel it just me.. my passenger is just able to hear the noise..

 

[03MazduhP5]

Hi thanks for the Reply, I was actually going towards getting an alignment done due to the steering wheel being off center.. ever since the problem started, I immediately noticed the wheel being off center, so I'm almost certain that its related.. I have hit some big bumps on the road, I live in Vegas and the streets are pretty crappy.. I haven't hit a curb tho ( atleast not that I remember).. I will definitely take it in and get it checked to see if the alignment fixes my problem..if not I guess ill keep lookin.

 

[Spin203]

I am having this exact same issue. Mechanic put a stethoscope up to the tranny and it was coming from there internally. Anyone else experience this as well and have anything catastrophic happen if the tranny isn't fixed/replaced?

 

[hotcracker69]

bent wheels?

rotate your tires, see if the issue continues,

does it do it when you hit the brakes? does the vibration increase?

 

[Ward83]

Sounds to me like your driver side wheel bearing is bad. I had a similar problem with mine when I got it. It's also a common issue on these cars. When mine was bad, there was no play in it, and everything felt tight. It was only when i took the hub off the car and spun it by hand that I could feel and hear the noisy bearing. I would suggest getting it replaced, and getting the car aligned to fix the off-center steering.

If you want to check it, pull the CV axle and spin the hub. If the bearing is bad, it will sound like crap, like metal grinding.

 

[kms1990]

all the above suggestions are exactly what i would tell you as well, take it in for an alignment and have the tech check your wheels and tires while its in there. thats where i would start.

 

[P-Funk!]

When you take the car in do not say, 'I need an alignment'. Simply tell them the problem and let the technician sort it out.