I got the shakes

[capevape]

On my 2005 PT GT, when I get to about 50mph the steering wheel starts to shake and it gets progressively worse as the speed increases. I asked my mechanic friend to check the tires to make sure they were balanced. He said the tires look great and that he thinks it's the drive axles. I just bought the car, I'm not sure how long it has been sitting, but it only has 90,000 miles on it. The only work I have had done on it is oil change and 2 sensors replaced (cam position sensor & crank position sensor).

Does drive axles sound reasonable? How can I be sure it isn't a wheel bearing?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[ptcruisersteve]

Originally Posted by capevape

On my 2005 PT GT, when I get to about 50mph the steering wheel starts to shake and it gets progressively worse as the speed increases. I asked my mechanic friend to check the tires to make sure they were balanced. He said the tires look great and that he thinks it's the drive axles. I just bought the car, I'm not sure how long it has been sitting, but it only has 90,000 miles on it. The only work I have had done on it is oil change and 2 sensors replaced (cam position sensor & crank position sensor).

Does drive axles sound reasonable? How can I be sure it isn't a wheel bearing?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

I would suggest jacking up the front of the Pt Cruiser and see if it still shakes when you take it up to 50 mph.

[chuzz]

Does is smooth out at all if you speed up or when you slow down? If so, then odds are pretty good it's either one or both axles. Do what Steve suggested. He's a pretty sharp dude.

[capevape]

Thanks guys. I will give that a try Steve and report my findings.

chuzz - it seems to get worse the faster I go, once my speed is under 50mph, it is hardly noticeable.

Also, possibly related. If I am sitting still and turn the steering wheel just a couple of inches either way, I hear a slight click sound (liek the sound of a torque wrench).

I also noticed tonight at a slower speed as I was cornering, I felt a dull "warble"

Again, these could be totally separate issues. Thoughts?

[chuzz]

Classic signs of a defective half-shaft. I had a Dodge Caravan years ago that did that. Up around 50 mph it would shake the hell out of you. Speed up, it got worse, slow down, it would smooth out. Any good shop can replace it for you in under an hour. Of course, being the cheap bastard, I mean FRUGAL person that I am, I do my own work.

[capevape]

I am frugal as well and will do the job myself. Do you still think I should try the test that Steve suggested?

[chuzz]

Absolutely. Just make sure that you have the PT secured and the emergency brake is set.

[rickyle]

bad ball joints and tie rods can cause the shaking issue also.

[Happy]

If it were a wheel bearing you can feel it when you rotate the wheel, keeping one hand on the wheel while spinning it slowly you may feel a bit of a stumble as it rotates.
One remote problem is a tire out of round, its doubtful but just sayin'.