Aveo shudders and shakes

I recently purchased a 2004 Aveo LS Sedan with 50000 miles. I understand I have to have the timing belt replaced $240 dollars parts and labor and might as well replace the water pump since we're in there another $250 dollars parts and labor, ok. my other problem is the car shudders and shakes :x in the steering wheel at about 55 to 65 mph, I've read that replacing the lower control arms will fix this problem, has any one else had this problem and made this fix? Are the new control arms made better than the old ones? I'm also thinking of getting some bigger tires and wheels maybe 16's hope this will also help the stability. Please help. :cry:

First things first. Before going all out and replacing tie rod ends and such, check the simple stuff. Are your tires in good shape. check them for knots. Check the balance.
I had a truck once that did that. Come to find out, it had a slow tire leak, and the idiot who owned it before me fixed it (after about 6 cans of fix-a-flat). What was happening is that the fix-a-flat was sloshing around in my tire. When I got the tire replaced, the tire-shop liked not to have fixed it because of the fix-a-flat.
Moreover, before you try replacing parts, have them checked, tie rod ends, control arms, ball joints, steering control, etc are all easily checked at your local tire shop. Better to spend $50 to have it checked, then to spend $200 getting something replaced and finding out that it wasn't your problem in the first place.
Work smarter, not harder, and you just might save yourself some cash.
Hope this helps.

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Originally Posted by genefitz

First things first. Before going all out and replacing tie rod ends and such, check the simple stuff. Are your tires in good shape. check them for knots. Check the balance.
I had a truck once that did that. Come to find out, it had a slow tire leak, and the idiot who owned it before me fixed it (after about 6 cans of fix-a-flat). What was happening is that the fix-a-flat was sloshing around in my tire. When I got the tire replaced, the tire-shop liked not to have fixed it because of the fix-a-flat.
Moreover, before you try replacing parts, have them checked, tie rod ends, control arms, ball joints, steering control, etc are all easily checked at your local tire shop. Better to spend $50 to have it checked, then to spend $200 getting something replaced and finding out that it wasn't your problem in the first place.
Work smarter, not harder, and you just might save yourself some cash.
Hope this helps.

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+1

My 04 shook at 55+ on stock 14" wheels, since then I upgraded to 15 x 6.5 and it slowed the shaking, and now im running 17 x 7 and the shaking is almost non-existent. A wider tire definitely does the trick.

I went from my stock 185/65/14's to to a 195/65/14 because I didnt like how the little skinny tires grabbed everything in the road. Much better now.

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Originally Posted by o4aveohb

My 04 shook at 55+ on stock 14" wheels, since then I upgraded to 15 x 6.5 and it slowed the shaking, and now im running 17 x 7 and the shaking is almost non-existent. A wider tire definitely does the trick.

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what size tires do you have?

Right now they are 205/40/17 but I have also had 215/40/17 but wouldn't recommend it because I believe it rubbed slightly.

didnt somebody have this problem and the dealer stuck some rubber piece near the steering column to reduce vibration. i would check your alignment

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Originally Posted by AVE0SAM

didnt somebody have this problem and the dealer stuck some rubber piece near the steering column to reduce vibration. i would check your alignment

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I'm having the wheels balanced and well see if that helps, I believe that alignment is more of a pulling from side to side thing. I am curious about this rubber piece, I've bought my 04 Aveo used so don't have a dealer warranty,so if you have any more info on that i would appreciate it. thanks Aveosam =D>

The rubber piece is probably a steering control bushing. I am not sure about the Aveo, but I know many cars that don't have power steering have issues with the bushing (wear and tear). What a control bushing is, to make a long story short is a rubber bushing (ring) that goes where your steering column feeds into the R&P. It makes the connection last longer, makes the turn smoother, and takes play from the steering wheel.
Again, I can't guarantee that is the same thing spoken about above, but it might be. Either way, I would say take it to a tire shop and have it checked.

Good news had the 50,000 mile 2004 Aveo in the shop to get the timing belt replaced $240 dollars parts and labor, it would of been about $400 at the dealership so shop around. Anyway they balanced the tires and cleaned off all the hard dirt that stuck to the back of the tires (previous owners lived in the mountains just out of denver most likly off a dirt road) and the steering no longer shudders =D> P.S. Mechanic said timing belt was shot, get that thing replaced save the headache :lol:

my belt was missing a bunch of teeth too when we changed it at 50,000ish miles....they dont know how it didnt slip

That rubber bushing sounds good... Ive noticed quite a bit of vibration coming up through my steering column, particularly at high speeds. Most times it is intermittent, it will vibrate for a few seconds, then stop. Then it will start again a few seconds later.

I've finally found someone having the same problem as me....... in 5th gear as Ipass 90km/h an intermittent vibration/humm starts for about 1 second...... then quiet for 1 second then again and again until I reach about 115 km/h then everything is fine !!!!
I've been to the dealer 3 times for this
1st visit...... wheel re-balance and alignment still the same
2nd visit..... front exhaust pipe replaced still the same
3rd visit...... changed driver side wheel bearing still the same
I have had the car for 5 weeks...it now has 3000 kms on it
I'm now waiting for the dealer to call when they have a loaner for me so they can have my car for a few days...... anyone else have this........ I'm thinking tranny (5 spd)
no vibration in neutral at those speeds while coasting....
Steve this is the only problem I'm having..... I love everything about this great little machine~~~~

08 swift+ 5dr base not even a/c....... just get me to work and back~~~

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Originally Posted by NYChevoo

I went from my stock 185/65/14's to to a 195/65/14 because I didnt like how the little skinny tires grabbed everything in the road. Much better now.

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just an update i posted this when my car had a about 50000 miles on it. i now have 85000 miles, have replaced both left and right lower control arms due to worn bushings, had a little vibration, but that was due to me hitting a pothole and bending a rim. i took a 20lb sledge hammer and bent it back into shape. hey it wouldnt be new york without our large selection of potholes.

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Originally Posted by crawdaddy

I've finally found someone having the same problem as me....... in 5th gear as Ipass 90km/h an intermittent vibration/humm starts for about 1 second...... then quiet for 1 second then again and again until I reach about 115 km/h then everything is fine !!!!
I've been to the dealer 3 times for this
1st visit...... wheel re-balance and alignment still the same
2nd visit..... front exhaust pipe replaced still the same
3rd visit...... changed driver side wheel bearing still the same
I have had the car for 5 weeks...it now has 3000 kms on it
I'm now waiting for the dealer to call when they have a loaner for me so they can have my car for a few days...... anyone else have this........ I'm thinking tranny (5 spd)
no vibration in neutral at those speeds while coasting....
Steve this is the only problem I'm having..... I love everything about this great little machine~~~~

08 swift+ 5dr base not even a/c....... just get me to work and back~~~

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Just curious...do you have the a/c on when you experience the vibration?

my car is a base model..... no a/c

I feel like this is gonna be a huge repair 1 day..... I'm continuing to push the dealer... it seems like the econo-cars don't get the same service though... I'm being treated like it's my fault for buying an inexpensive car!!!

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Originally Posted by crawdaddy

my car is a base model..... no a/c

I feel like this is gonna be a huge repair 1 day..... I'm continuing to push the dealer... it seems like the econo-cars don't get the same service though... I'm being treated like it's my fault for buying an inexpensive car!!!

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heh, when i was gettin my car looked at, i took a tech for a ride along to let him hear the prob. he tells me on the ride that "its not gonna ride like a cadillac." no mother ****er! it wont, but its an almost new car and i expect it to ride like a new mother ****in car!!!!!!! not like aq dilapidated hoopty. ass.

i know what ur feelin man.

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Originally Posted by crawdaddy

my car is a base model..... no a/c

I feel like this is gonna be a huge repair 1 day..... I'm continuing to push the dealer... it seems like the econo-cars don't get the same service though... I'm being treated like it's my fault for buying an inexpensive car!!!

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I had aveo hatchback 2006 it had a steering wheel vibration when i drive it from 80-120 km/h, they change tires,rims,axels,brake rotors, stabilizators,buffers,engine mounts,and gear box. the efect was nothing and this was a brand new car they sold me i drove it like 1000km before i notice the problem. Then i pressed hard and after 3 months of testing changing parts and frustration we reached an agreement to buy it back from me at same price they sold it and give me new one. Now i have 2007 sedan 15000km and it's all fine, so my advice to you is push them hard and make things right.
Good Luck

still waiting for the dealer to call me back...... so.... I decided to let suzuki of canada know that this is ridiculous!! the dealer called me half an hour later to let me know that a rental is there waiting for me~~~~ woooohoooo they're gonna finally take my swift in and spend a few days finding out what is causing this annoying vibration.... the car's at 4500 kms now.. I wonder if I'll get the first oil change thrown in for my trouble ???? I'll keep you updated.
the more I think about it..... I still think it's a tranny bearing ~~

Steve

my new transmission will be here in 2 weeks......
this better solve the problem..... could I own the only 5spd 08 aveo/swift/wave that has ever had a **** tranny in it ????

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Originally Posted by crawdaddy

my new transmission will be here in 2 weeks......
this better solve the problem..... could I own the only 5spd 08 aveo/swift/wave that has ever had a **** tranny in it ????

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i would remind them to inspect the clutch and check the balance of the flywheel while they are in there. a weight might have fallen off the flywheel could cause that..?

My family just purchased an '09 Aveo 5. It had a bent rim when we got it and all tires were shot, however, after replacing the rim and putting on 4 new tires and aligning it, it still has a vibration that is pretty noticeable in the steering wheel. The balljoints must have been alright as the shop checked them before aligning it. Any other ideas?