I can't believe the BS I hear sometimes. I went to pick up my CF after them taking a week to figure out what is out of balance and they tell me the shaking is just normal for low-profile tires when they are cold.

Ok, I look stupid, but come on. First of all, low profile tires should have less of an impact on the overall wheel balance since the mass is not much further from the center of the wheel. Second of all, the price they pay for these tires and the cars they put them on should be smooth as silk.

Have any of you had vibration on the car at low speeds? Mine appears to be drive shaft or transmission tail shaft related, since the frequency is relatively high for the speed -- it shakes to fast to be tires out of balance I think.

If anyone has had this problem and figured it out it would be helpful. I told the dealer to keep it until they got it figured out.

Also $78 for labor to change the oil. Geeze, practically disassemble the engine in that amount of time.

 

It should not shake--at least mine never has (may want to try another dealer). As far as the oil change that is right in line for s Mobil 1 change at a dealer...

 

pete1365,

If you have the time, doing it yourself will run you about $55.00 which is the price of oil and a filter. My dealer is charges just $9.00 for the filter.

It's not that hard and probably the cleanest oil change I've ever done.
Simply remove the cover that hides the oil pan, drain the oil, replace the cover, remove and replace the filter which sits "on top" of the engine. That's it. Took about 45 minutes but will be faster next time.

 

Most dealerships have a vibration analyzer, which will identify where the vibration is coming from. If they do not have one, tell them to contact there tech advisor. They were all issued one. Very expensive equipment, its a shame it never gets used when needed.

Oh and your car should not vibrate.

 

DFWSBR is absolutely right!!! You shouldn't have any vibration, regardless of the temperature (Unless your wheels are icing up) :lol: Mine is smooth as a Baby's butt.... I don't have a 6 speed, but I don't think that should matter.

 

I think another tech posted about finding a loose trans mount.Did you ever hit a pothole or lock up the brakes maybe causing a wheel weight to come off or flat spot a tire?

 

I doubt this is a tire problem. The frequency seems too high. The dealer has one of the frequency analysers, guess they don't know how to use it.

Someone from Chrysler is coming to look at it next, so I guess they are concerned about it. I will let everyone know what I find out. I am putting my money on a bad transmission tail bearing or u-joint.

 

Lock up the brakes??? :shock: Whaddabout the abs?

 

Crhytec.... If you pump the brakes it will take it out of ABS and you're in manual brake mode..... If it works like every other ABS out there. So you can "Lock up" the brakes.

 

Crhytec.......Do you have anything to add to the thread than more questions??

 

No there are no flat spots on the tires or major pot hole run-ins. It was this way day one (4.1 miles).

 

If it bugs you a lot, get a second opinion. Have the boys at Discount Tire pull each wheel off and do a hi speed balance check. If they need to be adjusted, they can add weight where it is necessary. It is a cheap 2nd option. If they do find an issue, and fix it, take your receipt to the dealer and demand you be compensated.

 

Nope. I'm good. ops:
Your dealer SHOULD have a Hunter 9700 wheel balancer that measures tire road force. It's easy to spot, as it's got a computer monitor on it and a large roller behind the balance spindle. It could be a tire force issue, that no amount of dynamic balancing will fix.

If it's a driveline issue, it should be easily duplicated on a lift, as the differential is "fixed" in the car and won't alter pinion angle with the wheels dangling in the air. The "U-joints" are actually large rubber isolators, like an old chevy steering rag joint. I've heard they are nearly indestructible, but it could have been made wrong.

Does the vibration lessen/get worse with throttle input?

 

Fixed.....After going there three frickin times to drive the car with people in it to show them it shakes. The last time it felt like the whole car was going to come appart.

Anyway, DC techs told them to replace all the mounts and isolators for the engine and transmission.

THat seemed to work, but still guessing it was just a loose mount somewhere (like the rear transmission mount which I mentioned).

 

We have had the exact same problem on my Wifes Crossfire. We are in Minnesota, and have not driven it much this winter. We took it out last Sat. and it felt like the back end was going to fall apart. We were not able to go over 30-40 mph untill we had driven it for about 5 miles or so. Then it seemed to be ok. I tried it again a couple days later and no problems at all. It does seem to be related to either cold weather or lack of driving it, as this happened one other time in December, and I just thought it was because the tires may have had flat spots in them from not driving it for a long time. Now I am wondering if there are some other problems. I haven't driven My crossfire since sometime in December, so I don't know if mine does the same thing. I can't try it now because it is snowing, but I will try mine as soon as the road are dry. I will keep everyone posted as to the results.

 

It was much worse on mine at -7* as well. The resonance was at 37 mph and at a frequency higher than wheel spin (so definately not the tires). So far having them change all the engine and trans mounts seems to have curred it.

When you take it in, have them check the trans mounts first. I am nearly positive this is a loose mount that is causing the drive shaft not to be well aligned -- then with everything stiff in the cold weather, the shakes come on bad.

Good luck.

 

It is possible for a tire that sits for an extended period to 'distort'.. If this is the problem, driving for 10-15 miles will usually warm the tire enough to eliminate this temporary distortion. Beyond that see the above posts on the Hunter 9700... Very nice machine indeed.

 

Dealer tells me that it is a known problem caused by the air pump for the polution control system.

I though maybe in the cold weather and the fact the car sits some times for days without being driven it would be a tire issue.

Come to find out it happens when the weather is warmer too.

Anyone have any info on similar situations with a Crossfire that might give them some direction? :?:

 

I think I have felt it once or twice. Sitting at a light, just after driving a few blocks after a cold start. Nothing major. It only happened for a second or two. After I left that light, the car warmed up to normal operating temp, it went away.

I'm thinking it could be engine vibration and since the motor mounts aren't very stiff, it probably starts to go into a small dance. The vibrations could be just right that it causes the motor to disturb the balance of the car for a second.

Just a thought. I personally am not going to worry about it. I wouldn't if I were you, unless you heard some strange noises associated with it. =)

 

uh.. what???