[maz]

Hello guys! New to the forum. Didn't know this existed until I did some searching on google. Hopefully you guys can help. Little background on the car first. It is a 2004 Classic that I bought used with about 35000 miles on it. It currently has about 80,000 miles on it. I later learned (stupid me for not doing the research) it used to be a rental vehicle. The vehicle appeared to drive perfect until about 60,000 miles and then it has slowly gotten worse. I already had to replace the front driver side tire from wearing down to the metal on the inside of the tire. When I reach about 45-50 MPH the vehicle starts to shake. It is a pretty bad vibration. I wouldn't exaclty say the steering wheel is shaking (Although it is vibrating) but the whole shaking is from the front end somewhere. If you go faster, it gets worse. At first, I thought maybe a wheel balancing weight fell off but they are still on the rim. It actually has gotten to the point that I don't drive it anywhere exct along town where I know I won't be driving fast. Now that I have child on the way, I would like to get it fixed. Before I bring it to a mechanic for a lot of money, I figured I would get some opinions from guys on what you think it might be and if it is something you think I can do myself. I am mechanically inclined, and by that I mean I can usually figure things if given the time and maybe instructions or manual to go by. I am not looking forward to paying a lot of money for a mechanic to do the work if it is something I could do with the right tools. I have not brought it to be aligned, which I don't mind paying for since that is something essential, but I thought if the tire is wearing on the inside with a bad shake that the alignment is the least of my problems and that alignment usually wont make it shake.

P.S. I have never been involved in an accident, there is a possiblty that the vehicle was involved in an accident as a rental vehicle. Carfax says no accidents however, there is evidence that some type of body work was done (Sticker on the inside door panel is missing) things are painted white in the engine compartment that doesn't appear is usually painted etc. Thanks for any help!

EDIT: Also the ABS light comes on sometimes and othertimes it doesn't. Don't know if it is directly related, indirectly or not related at all. The light comes on and may go off after a few miles or may stay on the whole rest of the trip. Sometimes it comes on as soon as I start the car and other times ir comes on as I am driving. Not sure if the shaking is through the ABS sensor off?

 

[RalphP]

What you need is a shop that will check it for an alignment and tell you what's worn out, honestly.

But it does sound like a) alignment is off, and b) something's worn causing the alignment to be off, which c) is what's causing the vibration.

Of course, it could also be that the bad alignment caused the tires to wear with a cupping or other strange pattern, and you're feeling that ...

But a full alignment and new tires if you can ought to do wonders to help get it down.

Past that - that's about where I had the first struts replaced on my 2000 'Bu. Struts can cause this as they wear out since they allow the wheel to gather too much or not enough camber. Also, loose tie rod ends can cause this.

A bad set of wheel bearings can do this also.

Don't think it was the problem I had in my Cougar, bad U-joints on the driveshaft (don't have a driveshaft per se in the Malibu ... ), but it might be bad CV joints in the halfshafts. Again, a competent mechanic needs to eyeball it.

Too bad you're not around here, there's a shop where the guy is good, he charges to tell you what's wrong with the car, but he understands that some folks will do it themselves.

RwP

 

[DrivenDaily]

Welcome! Hope ya stick around.

When a tire wears on the inside or outside like you describe it's usually a suspension component that has worn to the point that it causes the unusual wear you're seeing. Check your struts, springs, ball joints (if you have them) and all the other hinging points. You might even see about having a friend drive it while you are in the passenger seat of another vehicle following it to see if it is running "dog legged", which will require an alignment to correct. Then drive alongside the affected wheel as the car accelerates to speed. Watch and listen. You might even see about recording a video to examine back at home.

Being mechanically inclined you should be able to discover if any suspension components are worn beyond being serviceable any longer. If you have a service manaul it can also guide you on how to check certain items and what the tolerances are.

With the ABS light coming on I would suspect a wheel bearing and then search outward from there.

 

[maz]

Wow thanks guys, lots of great information. I think tomorrow I may jack that tire up and see if there is a lot of play in the wheel. You think that's where I should start? I think I may also call around and see if any tire places can put it on the alignment machine and before they do any adjustments, let me know what parts, if any, need to be replaced. I just have a feeling it is going to be a lot of work. How should I check to see if my struts are bad? Same thing, jack the car up and see if there is play in the wheel? How hard is it to replace your own struts? I have impact wrenches, jack and jack stands and other hand tools. What other kind of tools would be needed if that is the problem? Thanks again guys. Also, how would I elimnate wheel bearings and struts being worn? Just looking at what kind of troubleshooting I can do so I can report back.

 

[RalphP]

If you go for easy struts (like the Monroe EZStruts or the KYB flavor), then they're not that hard - IIRC, once you get it up and the weight and tires off the front end, two bolts through the top of the spindle and three at the top. Ease the assembly out, replace with the new ones, bolt it back together, drive VERY CAREFULLY next door to get it aligned (Well, don't plan on driving MUCH before the alignment.)

Be sure to check the tie rod ends (inner AND outer), and the rack bellows.

Past that, all that's left is the front lower control arm.

Also the sway bar end links - but the struts, the tie rod ends, and the lower control arm is about all that could be in there, besides the wheel bearings.

RwP