Vibration 2001 Sportage

tuckerx1111 · 04-04-2006, 01:17 PM

I'm geting an occasional vibration that feels like I'm driving over metal grates.
It shakes the whole vehicle. It goes away if I slow down. only happens every few days . Any Ideas???

95dman · 04-04-2006, 01:47 PM

Hi Tucker,

What speed does it start and stop? What effect does turning have? Does it vibrate more when brakes (slowing down as opposed to braking) are applied? The fact that it happens everyfew days is odd. What is special about days that it does nothing?

Check your tires for an abnormality such as a bubble or tear or tread seperation.
When did you last rotate the tires and what does your tread wear look like?
Are your tires balanced? Check the rims to see if you lost a weight recently and check your inflation pressure. If it's not tire related. It could be a warped rotor in the front or an alignment issue. Did you smack any curbs or hit a hole recently?

canakia · 04-04-2006, 04:29 PM

Normally I would say check the balance of the tires or for clumps of snow in the rims (happens to me).

Beacuse it is only intermittant is strange. More details needed. Maybe it is the compressor kicking in causing a vibration that you feel in the steering wheel.

Just a stab in the dark though. :P

95dman · 04-04-2006, 04:50 PM

I forgot to mention it could be a u-joint on the drive shaft too. If one is worn out (front or back) it can cause a vibration. But Canakia is right, the interminttant nature of the vibration is strange. More details.

tuckerx1111 · 04-05-2006, 12:45 PM

Heres the latest; I took it to a garage and it turns out that the sideaxle on the drivers side is loose where it enters the wheel. May be a bearing. Its going to a Kia dealer on monday for a better look since it may be covered under warranty.

95dman · 04-05-2006, 02:23 PM

Good, glad you got it worked out. I hope its under warranty too. It is part of the drive train.

tuckerx1111 · 04-10-2006, 09:09 PM

Problem Solved!! It was the needle bearing and it was covered under warranty.
PS- It has eliminated the wandering on the highway as well.
no more loose steering.

BobTucker · 04-11-2006, 01:28 AM

Hi Gord,

I have noticable loose steering, and I would LOVE to get rid of it. It was one of the first things I discussed on this forum, and someone suggested that was normal. Thanks for sharing this. I am very happy to learn you have eliminated that problem in your car. How long did you experience loose steering prior to the vibration problem that led you to identify the bad needle bearing? I do not suppose you had reason to check to see if the sideaxel was loose prior to the vibration problem, but was there anything else related that you might have noticed?. I will check my car to see if there is any reson to suspect the sideaxel might be a problem.

Kindest Regards,

Bob

tuckerx1111 · 04-11-2006, 11:55 AM

Hi Bob; I forgot to mention that they also adjusted the wheel bearings. They charged 1/2 labour for this. The loose steering has been in the vehicle for about 6 months ( since I bought it). I would try this first since it is fairly cheep to have it done.

BobTucker · 04-15-2006, 10:12 AM

Hi Gord,

I will certainly do as you suggest. I will have the wheel bearings adjusted and repacked to begin with. My car also has suffered from loose steering since I bought it - about two months ago.

Thank you for the help!

Kindest Regards,

Bob