[RedTx]

I have a 03 xs. My problem as of recently is it feels that the front driver tire is vibrating bouncing at anything over 35-40 mph. I have no idea what it is. I thought it might be bad tires and since the ones I had needed changing I need. The brand new ones however do the same thing. I thought maybe they were out of balance but ive been back to get them rebalanced and still have the same problem. If I let off the acceleration it smooths out and stops vibrating/bouncing. It is not always real bad, sometimes its a tolerable vibration then the road changes and it feels like my wheel is vibrating so much its going to come flying off.

Do any of yall have any ideas?

 

[pleiad7]

Vibration can be hard to track down and can be caused by a multitude of things apart from the tires - brakes, axles, struts, wheel bearings, bushings, suspension damage from a prior accident... you'll probably have to diagnose by process of elimination. These threads should give you some ideas of what to check for:

http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f89/highway-vibration-play-axles-78563/
http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f88/intermittent-vibration-i-am-running-out-money-214426/

 

[dpm]

dead strut.

 

[RedTx]

dead strut.

I thought that too but I did a bounce test and it doesnt bounce at all? Got to looking and the passenger side inboard cv joint is mssing its boot. I know axles can cause some vibrations but at times it feels as if the wheel is about to fly off. Im going to change the axle reagrdless.

 

[pleiad7]

Bounce tests can be inconclusive... if you want to be certain about the strut you'll probably have to dismount the spring and see if the strut still rebounds by itself.

 

[CinderBlock]

Being that only happens under acceleration, I would say it's front axles. Had a similar issue on my 2001.