My PT is shaking...need your advice

[MINIHEMI46]

Yesterday I was just driving down the road for 30 to 55 mph because of this country road, stop lights and little towns. I didn't hit anything on the road, no pothole, no roadkill, nothing. I was going through the gears (5 speed) and the PT all of a sudden started shaking. Nothing through the steering wheel, the PT itself was shaking like a tire really out of balance so I let off the fuel and shaking stopped but still going about 45. I easied back on the fuel and it started shaking again. So again let off the fuel and it smoothed right out. So I speeded up to about 65 (now the country road is a country freeway) and it went away. As long as I stayed above 65 to 70 very little if any shaking. Anything below 50 to 25 it was shaking, you could feel it on the seat and floor but nothing in the steering wheel. I think the only thing it could be is a CV joint because of letting off the fuel and it smoothes right out. So any other ideas besides the CV joints?

[soonercruiser]

Don't forget the obvious.
The first night I ever parked the PT in the driveway (not in the garage), someone tried taking off the performance wheels & tires, but didn't finish the job. I had the same vibration scenerio, called my dealer service rep. He reminded me to check for loose lugs before I went to a local dealer.
Yup! they gave up after trying to steal the wheels after loosen 4 of 5 locking lugs on one wheel.
Boy, was I lucky! (tipped him $20 the next time i saw him!)

[MINIHEMI46]

No, I checked all the lug nuts on all wheels and all tight and torqued right. It's really weird it stops completely if you let off the gas at any speed and you give it throttle it comes right back shaking.

[CREWZIN]

Did some checking around and the main consensus is that it's a problem with the CV joints/axles or motor mounts, but someone that sounded like he knew what he was saying posted this:

Bad inner CV joints cause nasty vibrations during acceleration only (under load, throttle open), but not when the throttle is closed during braking or coasting.

[bobs turbo pt]

i agree with crewzins post c v joints !!

[MINIHEMI46]

The driveshafts are having new CV joints put on right now as I type this. They said just by looking at the boots that the inner CV on the drivers side was bad. And he said that would cause the shaking so the info Crewzin said was right. Don't buy any CV joints from Advance Part parts, Their computer is wrong about the part, will not fit a turbo PT. No bearing on the driveshaft and the spine on the shaft is smaller than the turbo so it must be for the NA PT.

[MINIHEMI46]

My PT is fixed, it was the CV joints causing it to shake.
Thanks everyone for your input, you guys are

[Cal Cruzer]

Originally Posted by MINIHEMI46

My PT is fixed, it was the CV joints causing it to shake.
Thanks everyone for your input, you guys are

Wow, I am really impressed with the dealer you took it to. I had the same problem and went through 3 dealers to get it fixed. Never could and finally had to fix it myself. You would not beleive how many times they balanced my tires and told me it was okay. Now it is doing it again and I don't even want to bother with the dealers. Nothing but hate and disgust for Chrysler dealer body in general at this point. Even though they have some interesting cars, I will never buy another of their products.

[robaquaman]

I wish I would have read this thread first because Advance Part parts still has turbo half shalfs listed as the same part number as the non-turbo. I had to send them back today. The dealer wants $184 each side, anyone know of a after market source or a rebuilt source?
I just replaced both broken motor mounts with AGP's solid mounts. The motor was moving about 4 inches before replacing them. I am thinking the motor movement is what caused shafts to go bad any thoughts.
Thanks,

[MINIHEMI46]

What I did is get in the phone book and let my fingers do the walking. I found a place in town that rebuilt the driveshafts for 65 bucks each. The only thing they didn't replace is the bearing on the pass side but mine was ok. Putting them back in was easy, buttoned it all up and she was ready for another 85 thousand miles. If you can't find a place listed (under driveline) ask around at some of these repair places if there is a place in town that rebuilds them.