Struts - What Can They Cause?

[Slammed0]

So my car has a shutter when I get it up to highway speeds. Its not a real violent shutter but you can tell it is there. I know that my struts are bad cause when I hit a good bump in the road you can hear them. Not to mention the ride sucks!! But what else can bad struts create. Could they cause my car to shutter at all?

 

[weith1111]

"Shudder" is a tough word to understand. Is something bouncing, vibrating, grinding? What I would suggest making sure it's not engine, tranny, or wheel/tire related. When you are cruising along throw it into neutral and see if it still happens at the same rate. If so then make sure your tires are at the correct psi and your alignment is on. Does your car pull to the side if you take your hands off the wheel? Does your steering wheel sit on center when you are going straight, or is it crooked?

 

[Slammed0]

Ok I will have to try that. Thanks for the ideals!

 

[Scrubulum]

One of the first things I would check is the wheel balance. Wheel balance is often at fault for speed related vibrations. Have you hit any curbs or potholes recently that my have knocked the weights loose, or bent a rim?

 

[Mike Marnik]

Y i would have to say it sounds like wheel balance. If i were you i would get an alignment and wheel and tire balancing. Also has it snowed in your area yet? Its been snowing here and i got alot of snow in my rims which melted and froze to the inside which caused them to go off balance and vibrate very badly the whole car would shake the steering wheel especially i removed the ice and it was fine. i would check that also. good luck

 

[Slammed0]

Great guys! I appreciate the tips. I think I will go have the balance checked and the alignment done. Thanks to everybody!

 

[Scrubulum]

Hope it works for you. Be sure to let us know what it was.

Man I never get reputation points.

 

[dewdew]

Wheel balance is almost always the cause of a high speed vibration. If not that then maybe loose front end parts. Alignment will almost never cause any sort of vibration or shimmy. The only way it can is if you have excessively high caster, which is not going to happen on our cars. Bad alignments can definitely cause pulling, wandering, and tire wear.