[Shotimes] vibration: what is wrong?

[Leigh Smith]

> The vibration occours pretty much at any speed but it
> does seem to increase as the car moves faster.

Ian;
Clue list:
Start by being sure the tire is round. I'm not kidding. Tire belts can shift
due to age or potholes. Just had it happen to me, again. Check for up & down
or side/side movement. That vibration starts at very low speed (20mph) and
increases directly with speed. Over 1/8 in. movement is noticeable. (I had
1/2 in.) Just spin it by hand and watch tread closely, make a pointer if you
want. Vertical movement is much worse than horizontal.
Bent wheel - spin it and make a pointer near the rim - 1/8 in or less - (
but I've seen 1/4 in that you couldn't feel)
Tires wearing smoothly / cupped? (Starts at low speed - usually harmonic)
Balance? (Starts at higher speeds - no noise)
Wheel bearing? (grinding / ticking / scraping gets worse in turns - may go
away in one direction)
Ball joints / tie rod ends / sway bar links / worn shocks - clunks only
bumps - especially tar strips
(Shocks low on oil can get really bad & feel like a hammer)
Strut mounts - metal to metal clunk like above
Good luck;
Lee