MP3 front end vibration and pulling to the right

[bmacster]

I've been researching a seemingly common issue with the Protege's to try to determine if I am having the same issue.

I have the common front end vibration. Had the wheels all checked, balanced, etc. They are straight. Tried my stock winter wheel/tire set, same vibration. It mostly becomes apparent at speeds above 50mph. The odd issue that makes this more difficult to pinpoint is when I am at a constant speed/throttle setting, the vibration comes and goes. It is NOT consistent at all.

I have not had the chance to check the wheel bearings yet but it appears to be the average mileage (175k) when they start to fail.

The other thing that may be the issue is that the car pulls to the right. It doesn't pull to the right when coasting or heavy pulls. Normal driving, it handles fine for the most part, it pulls to the right but not as "violently" as some people are have reported.

The other things I can think of replacing that others have mentioned are the following;

Front Sway bar bushings (eliminates the pulling)
Tie Rod Ends and Ball Joints (eliminates some of the vibrations)
Wheel bearings (both sides another component of the vibrations)

The only other possible thing would be the struts, which I'll probably do anyway since the engine is coming out to get rebuilt (another long story)

Anywho... thoughts? I'll report on the progress in this thread.

 

[tweety2300]

Sway bar bushings just squeak. Does it make a difference if you turn left or right while driving?

 

[bmacster]

Sway bar bushings just squeak. Does it make a difference if you turn left or right while driving?

No, none at all. After I get the truck out of the garage, I am going to put it on stands and see if I can replicate the problem. The most baffling thing is that the vibration isn't at all consistently that would lead me to believe it was wheels/tires/balancing issue. I did take video of it but I haven't looked to see if it is noticeable in the video or not. If it is, i'll upload it when I get to work.

 

[tweety2300]

Does it pull to one side or another? Normally or when it vibrates.

Also check your brakes out and makes sure they're ok. I had the little metals him break and it would allow the pads to hit the rotor and made a weird vibration but it wasn't very noticeable

 

[bmacster]

Does it pull to one side or another? Normally or when it vibrates.

Also check your brakes out and makes sure they're ok. I had the little metals him break and it would allow the pads to hit the rotor and made a weird vibration but it wasn't very noticeable

I changed out the rotors, calipers, brake pads, and hoses when I did the front brakes earlier this Summer. I did double check them just in case, however and that doesn't seem to be the issue. No vibration or pulling when I brake, lightly or hard.

It does pull to the right. Seems to follow what others have experienced on here as well when I did a search before posting the original thread. It is really baffling.

 

[tweety2300]

Does it always pull to the right or just sometimes?

 

[bmacster]

Does it always pull to the right or just sometimes?

Sometimes, not all the time. I use an IR temperature reader, just to make sure there isn't any dragging. Temps are the same on both sides.