Still trying to fix steering vibration

[capevape]

Hey guys....I am STILL trying to solve my steering vibration problem and would love some advice.

2005 PT Cruiser GT Convertible.

Steering wheel shakes all the time, even at low speeds. Most noticeable at around 40-60. Asked a mechanic to balance the tires for me. He said that since the vibration is present at all speeds, the vibration is likely caused by bad CV Axles.

I replaced both CV axles and the shake is the same. I decided to take the car to Tire Kingdom since the specialize in tires. They did the $20 inspection and checked tires, suspension, steering and came back and told me that the vibration is caused by excessive play in the right (passenger) CV axle. They suggested that the Intermediate Shaft be replaced and quoted me $629 to do the job.

Can you please look at this video that I recorded from under the car and offer your opinion? https://youtu.be/WCKX_HamsJE

It doesn't seem to me that there is anything wrong with the Intermediate Shaft or the bearing for it as it has ZERO play.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[circus]

When you replaced the ft wheel bearings did you note any wear on either hub?

[capevape]

The wheel bearings were not replaced, the CV axles were. Wheel bearings have not been suspected by anyone who has looked at the car to this point.

[rob302]

rotate the front tires to the back and see if the vibration is lessened. free, easy, and always the starting point if nothing obvious is causing it.

you should note if it happens or lessens while accelerating, decelerating with and without braking, coasting in neutral, or cruising... like for example, a tie rod is worst when letting off the gas and the steering wheel will often knock/shake rhythmically.

[rob302]

watching your video again, that does look like excessive play when you're pushing on it

[Handy_Cruiser]

Originally Posted by capevape

Can you please look at this video that I recorded from under the car and offer your opinion? https://youtu.be/WCKX_HamsJE

It doesn't seem to me that there is anything wrong with the Intermediate Shaft or the bearing for it as it has ZERO play.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I'm not sure that should have that much slack. These intermediate shafts do often go bad. But it's usually the carrier bearing that fails and not a joint. The intermediate shaft does not have joint on it. Here's some shots of mine:






The joint itself is part of the "new" outer right shaft:




I'm not convinced this is your issue unless you can move the intermediate shaft back and forth or if the carrier bearing is bad. But it's hard to refute a shop's diagnoses over the internet because we can't see the car first hand.

For my 2007 turbo convertible, the part number for that shaft is 5274912AC. When I replaced mine, it did not show up in the application guide, but RockAuto does have them for $138.79. Here's a link:

https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo.php?pk=5179950

That said, $629 sounds pretty high to have a shop do this. It should add less than an hour to the labor cost for just doing the right outer CV axle. The thing is pretty easy to replace.

[capevape]

Originally Posted by rob302

rotate the front tires to the back and see if the vibration is lessened. free, easy, and always the starting point if nothing obvious is causing it.

you should note if it happens or lessens while accelerating, decelerating with and without braking, coasting in neutral, or cruising... like for example, a tie rod is worst when letting off the gas and the steering wheel will often knock/shake rhythmically.

Thanks for the reply Rob! I should have stated that I did rotate the tires and got the same vibration.

The vibration/shaking wheel is constant no matter what I'm doing. I tried to make a video showing the steering wheel shake while driving, but you can't tell the steering wheel is moving in the video (probably because the car is shaking in sync with the wheel making the video look fine)

[rob302]

well if the new joint has that much play on the shaft, it either means the shaft was damaged from the old axle or the new axle fits too loosely because it was machined wrong. that shouldn't move half that much

[capevape]

Originally Posted by rob302

watching your video again, that does look like excessive play when you're pushing on it

Should I have replaced the cir clip on the Intermediate shaft when replacing the CV axle? That is the only thing I can think of or I bought a bad CV axle. What else could cause that part of the CV axle to wiggle so much? Is that wiggle normal for that part?

[capevape]

Originally Posted by Handy_Cruiser

I'm not sure that should have that much slack. These intermediate shafts do often go bad. But it's usually the carrier bearing that fails and not a joint. The intermediate shaft does not have joint on it. Here's some shots of mine:

The joint itself is part of the "new" outer right shaft:

I'm not convinced this is your issue unless you can move the intermediate shaft back and forth or if the carrier bearing is bad. But it's hard to refute a shop's diagnoses over the internet because we can't see the car first hand.

For my 2007 turbo convertible, the part number for that shaft is 5274912AC. When I replaced mine, it did not show up in the application guide, but RockAuto does have them for $138.79. Here's a link:

That said, $629 sounds pretty high to have a shop do this. It should add less than an hour to the labor cost for just doing the right outer CV axle. The thing is pretty easy to replace.

You can see the intermediate shaft bearing in the video and it doesn't move at all (up and down or side to side). The only movement I am seeing is at the joint on the CV axle. In fairness, I haven't climbed under the car to check for the same movement when the car isn't on jack stands. The technician at Tire Kingdom also made the assessment when the car was up on the lift. I know that suspension obviously dips when the car is lifted, so I wonder if that same slack is present when the car is on the ground. Hmm.... will report back.