Shop Kia Control Arms

Working on a 2004 kia spectra. Have really bad front end vibrations. Ive checked to see that the tires are seated properly, checked the brakes, rack m pin, control arms. But still have a severe vibration that tends to lessen the faster i drive. Any ideas of what else i should be looking at or any tricks of the trade will be very helpful.

I can feel the vibration and see the vibration in the steering wheel. Vibrations are worse at 5-40 mph. Once the car is over 50 its not as noticable

Where do you feel the vibration? What speed(s) is the vibration the most prominent?

Hi

As owner of a Kia rio 2003 model (119000km), I hope you dont mind answering several questions ive had on my mind for sometime now. It would take some relief of my mind.

1. The car recommeded tire size is: 175/65/R14. However tyres suppliers in Fiji have more of 175/70/R14. Is it okay to use 175/70/R14? What is the difference?

2. Local dealer has advised that engine mounts are weak. What are the purpose of the engine mounts and how does he tell they are weak and why is necessary repair?

3. Local dealer says that the lower suspension plate bushings are worn, I have bought the part. can the repair of this be done at home garage or is it an expensive dealer garage job.

4. The cars internal light, and rear view mirrow switch is not working, please confirm if this is a fuse problem and is it a costly affair.

I would appreciate your fast responce. Thanks so much as usual.
Douglas

Thats Okay! ( reply)..

Excellent reply.

I was onto the lower front arm attached to the tension rod and the steering knuckle. I have this part, the lower control arm replacement with me.

Hi

Just changed the right lower control arm in the front suspension at dealers garage. Kia rio 2003 model. 120000km timed. However after a week of driving i noticed an annoying sound that comes only at low speeds and appears to be from suspension or front. Its nothing to do with the wheels.

Its hard to describe: It single click sound that comes the moment the vehicle slows after it lunges forward or backward with acceleration or deceleration of the gears. Its a manual transmission. But it is most audible at slow speeds of under 20km p hour.

I am at my wits end trying to figure out what it is: as i have changed almost all bushings in suspension. Including Tension rod bushind, control bar bushings and now the lower control arm bushings. What could it be?

Would be greatly appreciated if you can point me in the right direction now. Thanks alot in advance.

(edit to just change subject line)

I wouldn't exclude wheels quite yet as it only happens when moving.


Guess: It could be brake pads moving as a maybe. If they can move (cool/cold) forward and backward by hand in their spots there could be broken or missing clips and anti-rattle parts that control noises with them??

T

Hi I have a 2008 Hyundai Accent GLS car with about 97k miles. I am having a lot of trouble with my car...a week ago I noticed that my car made a pinging sound when I accelerated. I switched to a higher octane of gas thinking that it would be a temporary fix for a leaky fuel injector. Then today the car started to knock and ping, there was a loud scraping noise, and the brakes seem like they were harder to operate. Do you have any ideas of what this could be? Any advice would be very helpful. Thanks! Also, I recently had my timing belt and water pump replaced.

Yeah I do not know a lot about cars but thought it was the engine too. I am glad it isn't and will be a lot cheaper to fix (our mechanic is charging us $250). I don't know why the control arm went bad, but I live in New York State and there has been a lot of snow and salt this year. It's been making a bell like sound when accelerating and then last week all of a sudden it turned to a crunching, squeaking and knocking noise and also sounded like something was dragging. I also saw that Kia/Hyundai recalled the control arms on the Tiburon minivan. Maybe the other models are having the same problem, I don't know. Thanks so much for giving suggestions. I like sites like this so that I can figure out what might be wrong with stuff since I do not know much about it.

About 2 months ago as I was driving down the road and made a turn, I heard a crack in my front end. It then started to shake uncontrollably. I had it towed to the garage and it ended up being the center link that holds the tie rods. They replaced it and the tie rods and everthing appeared fine for about 3 weeks when it happened again. This time it was on the other side. Again, they replaced and since then I have had to tow it in 2 more times for the same thing, making it a toal of 4 times so far. I just got it back again and I am sure there has to be something else causing pressure on that piece. The mechanics could not find anything and they even had the Kia Specialist on the phone who could not provide and reason for it. The steering to me does not feel the same as it used to. It feels as though it is looser than before this all happened. I just don't know what it is but I know it will happen again and I am afraid to drive my car anymore. Could it be the axle??? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, we do have some rough roads where I live but I haven't had any problems like this for years. Since I have had my car in the shop for this same problem 4 times in the last 2 1/2 months, I tend to think there is some other cause that is making that control arm break. I just have a hard time believing that the same part is faulty each time. Could there be anything with the steering that could cause pressure? It seems that the steering is looser than it was before all this happened, especially when I am turning. I really believe that it will break again soon but they are saying they can't find anything wrong.