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Car Shaking Problems
Car shaking problems are usually the results of mechanical problems. Out of adjustment tires or suspension will make the car shake after reaching a certain speed. Warped brake rotors will also make the car shake when it’s slowing down.
2,252 Questions
Are you sure there isn't a missing 's'? It could be a typo and the writer meant 'sod off.'
Why does your car shimmy and shake?
My car does not shimmy or shake, as I do not have a car... I believe you must be referring to YOUR car, am I correct?
Five Main things may cause this:
Number one is an unbalanced tire(s). You may be able to feel this through the steering.
Solution: Take you vehicle in to your local tire service and have them perform a balancing test on all of your tires.
Number two: If your vehicle feels like it shimmies side-to-side, but only does this over approx. 45 (for example), your steering may have too much play in it (you can check this by having the vehicle parked on asphalt or concrete -- NOT GRAVEL -- with the engine off. Using just a couple of fingers and a thumb, lightly turn the wheel in both directions until you feel the resistance of the ground. If it feels floppy in this "neutral area", as I call it, your steering gearbox is worn out, and needs to be replaced), it may shake back and forth.
Number three: Warped brake disc/drum and/or stuck brake shoe/pad; If you drive your vehicle at the speed that this shaking occurs and very lightly set your foot on the brake pedal (I would recommend with bare feet as you will feel more detail), you may feel a pulsing if it is a brake problem.
A way to check for a stuck brake shoe/pad is to raise the front/back of your vehicle onto jack stands (Never leave your vehicle on a jack!!! VERY UNSAFE!!!! The jack could fail or slip and the vehicle could land on you and injur/kill you! ALSO, always raise a car with a jack where the jack wheels can roll and on a leven surface to prevent jack from slipping while jacking.)
(with parking brake off while rear is raised) and turn the wheel. It should turn easily, but it should have some drag (it won't just spin forever like a bicycle tire unless your brake pads/shoes need replacing). If there is a wheel that does not turn easily, or does not turn at all, you may have a stuck brake pad or shoe.
Number four: Loose suspension; If one or more of your suspension components are loose, for example your lower control arms, shaking or vibrating may be the result. Also, if you have worn ball joints, you may also get this problem. If you notice a fairly light knocking sound while going over speed bumps or other bumps/dips, this will most likely indicate worn ball joints.
Number five: Loose steering component(s);
A good way to check for loose steering components is to have a friend watch what your front tires do when you drive over a speed bump at a reasonable speed. If, for example, your front tires nose in slightly upon climbing the raised bump, you may have a loose steering component such as one or more worn joints in your tie rod(s).
These I have mentioned, however, are not the only things that could cause this, but they are the most common from my experience. I hope this helps. If you would like more help on this issue, feel free to email me at themagikpeanut@live.com. To ensure that I do not mistake your email as junk, please write "Automotive Help Please" in the subject line. Thank you.
The gas cap may not have been put back on correctly after you filled the tank. This can create a vapor lock which triggers that light to come on.
Give the gas cap a few right turns to tighten it & make sure you hear several "clicks". Then drive as usual for several miles and the check engine light may go out. If it doesn't, give your auto service center a call or make an appt. as soon as possible.
Hope this helps!
The vapor lock resulting from the improper cap replacement does not cause the light to flash. It sounds like a more serious problem. Normally these are resulting from clogged fuel filters or vacuum leaks in the line.
How do you change the struts of a 1994 Geo Prizm?
The struts are surrounded by a large coil string which is under very high compression. If you do not have the proper tools and remove it improperly you risk serious injury. You should consider having this done by a professional.
Why is a new water pump squealing and making noise?
Sounds like your belt may be too tight, or too loose. It can also be the bearings in the pump are seizing. This can be very dangerous if the pump shaft breaks. It can do some serious damage to radiator, hoses, and belts. Get this repaired ASAP.
Check the transmission fluid level for the kicking into gear problem, and check the brakes for the rubbing sound.
you could have worped disk brakes. or your brake pads are not level with your disk brake
What is causing your car to pull to the right?
Usually, any time a vehicle "pulls" either to the right or left, it's caused by an alignment problem or worn ball joints.
What is wrong if the car will stop but you have to press the brake pedeal all the way in?
Short answer: Most likely air in your brake lines which maybe be caused by a leak somewhere. Look up how to bleed your brakes if you are comfortable performing the work, or take it to someone who is. If its just air in the lines, bleeding them will solve the problem. (it would be good to track down WHY there is air in the lines, usually caused by a leak somewhere, or a bad brake master cylinder.)
Long answer:
If the car will stop, it means that at least some of your brakes are doing their job.
For some background knowledge, there are pretty much two types of brakes. They either squeeze or press outward on a metal disc or hub in order to slow the car down. I will use terms like disc and pads, but the same applies to hub and shoes.
It takes a good amount of force to stop the car, which is accomplished by hydraulic (fluid) pressure. When you press the brake pedal, the fluid is compressed in the brake lines, which, on the other end, where there is the ability to move, the pads are pressed against the disc.
What is most likely making your pedal "drop to the floor" is a leak or air in the brake system. Air is much more compressible that brake fluid, so when you press the pedal, you have to get all of that air compressed where normally there would be brake fluid. This takes much more pedal "travel" and will make your pedal move much more than normal.
You want to get the air out of your brake-lines, and make sure there aren't any leaks letting air in (if there are no leaks in any of the brake lines getting fluid all over your brakes, it may be the brake master cylinder).
Look up how to bleed your brakes if you are comfortable performing the work, or take it to someone who is. Again, try to track down how the air entered the system in the first place, and make sure you have enough brake fluid.
Why is snow or ice in a car wheel well dangerous?
It could interfere with steering in two ways.
1. If it builds up solidly around the tire it might stop the wheel from being able to turn to hard to the right or left.
2. If a big chuck of ice breaks off it might go under the tire which would be like hitting a rock.
What causes the front wheel of your car to wobble?
The front wheels of a car can wobble because the car's suspension is not in proper alignment. The wheels may also wobble if the rim is bent or if the tire is improperly installed
What is the cause of auto lurking when brakes are applied?
I THINK you're trying to describe something called "brake chatter"? That's when the brakes change their strength rapidly, causing the car to feel like you're applying and releasing the brakes rapidly.
That is caused by warped brake rotors. If you replaced the brake pads and didn't verify the condition of the rotors, that's the problem. If the brakes are older it can just be that the rotor has warped from heat. Perhaps you "ride the brakes" or have used the vehicle to tow a trailer or otherwise haul a heavy load and the brakes have had to work a little extra hard to stop the car. When that happens, the rotors get a little extra hot and they warp. All cars and many trucks do that if they have disk brakes.
Ford Explorer shakes after hitting bump?
The shaking you experience is caused by slack in the front end. Have it checked by a professional. You've probably got some bad ball joints or tie rods. Either way it can be dangerous.
Why would a car shake at high speeds?
wheels need balancing, sometimes shake is only evident at high speed
Have the torque convertor clutch in the trans checked out for slippiing.
Why would a car jerk right before it comes to a complete stop on an automatic transmission car?
Possible reasons for the above are:
1) The piston within your left brake caliper bore is stuck in place or does not move freely back and forth.
2) The brake line going to your left front brake caliper is plugged or has debris in it.
3) Your right front brakes have more brake pad material on them than what your left front brakes have (of course, you should be able to hear when your brakes are down to bare metal).
If my opening assumptions are incorrect, then please (for your own benefit) edit your question to give some more information so as others can more accurately zero in on the problem. Thank you, Vullin
What could be wrong when a 91 Ford Tempo motor shakes when idling?
Sounds like you ave a misfire. Could be as simple as needing a tune-up.
Uneven tire wear can be caused by a couple of things. The tire pressure could be low. Or the rear wheel alignment could be off.
What causes bucking during acceleration?
Bucking during acceleration can be caused by a low fuel level. When the car is running on fumes, it is not getting a constant supply of gas which will cause it to stop and go.
When do you change the timing chain on an 03 or 04 Honda CR-V?
You do not change timing chains!!!!!
You only replace timing belts which the 2003 cr-v has.
Added: Honda CR-V engines are equipped with timing CHAINS starting with the 2002 model year.
Why your car shakes when you accelerate between 0 to 55?
try changing your sparkplugs. there could be a firing issue with the cylinder heads. also might want to look into a timing belt. might need to be reflashed for proper ignition firing. look into small fuel system maintenance like changing the fuel filter or pump. could be water or impurities in yr gas tank that are not burning off during the fuel burn and making the engine "stutter"
if its not doing it after 55MPH i doubt that its a balancing issue, but take a look at the struts/springs make sure nothing is loose.
Car shakes near middle of car at 60mph could this be worn tires?
If the shake is constant then yes it could be tires. If the shake gets better or worse when giving gas or letting off, then it is more likely in the drivetrain.
ANOTHER ANSWERWORN tires are typically less of a problem than are "out of balance" tires or bent wheels. Another possibility would be something called a "slipped belt". That often occurs either when the tire is new or when the tread has worn through and the belt is showing. Today's radial tires have a belt under the tread that stabilizes the tire and helps it last longer. Once the belt is exposed it starts to degrade and can separate from the rest of the tire, slipping to one side. That will cause quite a bit of vibration.Regarding the possibility that it might be drive-train, I'd be more willing to suspect drive train if it started at a lower speed. I'd need to ride in it to know for certain. A higher frequency vibration is more likely drive train while a lower frequency is more likely a bent wheel, out of balance tire or a slipped belt.
Why does a car jerk when accelerating?
Something to do with the transmission. Probably slipping It's the force of momentum being exerted on the car, the chassis of the car doesn't quite "catch up" with the engine itself without a transfer of momentum, or "jerk".
What causes you to shake so bad?
Tire our of balance or bent wheel. Have your tires rotated and balanced. Can also be other things but start with the most obvious.
