Okay, need car help...

[Ossian]

Recently my car started to shake when I hit 60 mph. Originally I figured it was the wheel allignment and I'm going to get that done today. But, yesterday it started to make a thumping sound (and I can feel it) under my seat whenever I hit the gas up around that 60 mph mark. It does go away when I take my foot off the gas or make a decent turn around a bend on the freeway.

Anybody have any ideas? I have thought about motor mounts and struts, but I'm not certain.

I'm just hoping it isn't expensive...

:confused:

PS-Its a 2001 Pontiac Sunfire

[Bacara]

Bomb, clearly.

[House]

You could be lucky and it's just a mounting bracket that is lose. Muffler comes to mind. Why not have them check out the noise when they take it in for the alignment. See what they think.

My brother and Dad were both car mechanics, so you would think I would know something. But I don't, because I always have had, and still have, them to fix everything.

[Ossian]

Hmm...it could be possible that it is the exhaust...that has been loose for a while now and would make sense for why it sounds like its hitting below me and loud when accellerating.

[Kôrd]

Buy a new car.

[Maij]

that guy you ran over isn't really dead and now he's banging on the bottom of your car

[Ossian]

I am dirt poor and have more debt than Zimbabwe. Buying a new car is not going to be an option for a while.

[Pablodiablo]

Wheel allignment is usually related to pulling in one direction or bad wear on the tires. Usually when you get vibration or shaking its related to the wheel balance. You may have lost one or more of your balance weights off the rims.

As far as shaking i dont think the exhaust would cause that even if it is loose, but i guess its possible.

I once started getting shaking and was feeling something banging when the strut housings started getting loose on my old grand prix. It was a Pontiac as well so that might be a possibility. Just check the big nut on top of the struts and make sure thier tight.

Another possibility is you may have lost one of the rubber suspension washers between the varous parts of the suspension that may cause all of those symptoms. A quick visual check comparing both sides of the cars suspension could identify a missing washer.

Hope you find the problem :)

[Ossian]

Thanks Pablo. I actually went up to Conrads and they said that it was more than likely my wheel balance causing the shaking but allignment was off too because the tires were worn. I was just out looking at the struts to see if I could get a visual but wasn't having much luck. I am going to my mom's to revamp my brakes and things this weekend...i'm just hoping I can make it for 4 more days.

[Pablodiablo]

What happened with your car?

Is it still shaking?

[Ossian]

Still shaking. They said it may be wheel balance too. I am going to my mom's place this weekend to work on it with my mom's boy friend. He thinks it is probably something in my suspension, so it looks like it will be a long day...

[Ossian]

Bad belt in a tire, tie rod, axle and brakes...

[Zealadin]

Just a tip - Vibrations or shaking that is felt in the seat is usually a rear suspension or rear tire issue.

Vibrations caused by issues in the front of the car are typically felt thorugh the steering wheel.

Good luck!