2005 Corolla LE, auto, 130K, front lower driver side vibration (joint, idle, brakes)
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Hard, noisy vibration at idle, comes thru bottom of driver's door. Stops when driver's door is opened all the way. Not damaged from a car accident. Door is in perfect, like new condition. Transmission performs beautifully while driving. At first, when stopped and shifted to neutral or park, vibration stopped. No longer helps to take it out of drive when at a full stop, vibrates in all gears, with brakes applied.
This vibration doesn't appear to be coming from the engine, per se. The engine runs very smoothly.
Having done some research, the only thing that's come up is engine mounts. Engine mounts can get expensive, so don't want to focus on that when it's likely something different. BTW, car does not leak, ck engine light not on, and the engine and tranny are very smooth.
Any ideas what the source of this vibration could be? I'm taking it to dealership this Thursday. Would like to have some ideas so I can have knowledgeable discussion with service rep.
You need to take the weight off the mounts to check.
Set the parking brake and chock a front wheel.
Put a floor jack under the oil pan with a 2x4 block between the jack and pan, start the engine, then lift it a half inch or so. If the noise goes away you've found your problem.
You may have to do the same with the transmission.
Gimme3steps....Thanks! If this is the case, could you use the name of the problem/type of repair you're speaking of? If it's the transmisson...it would be called this: ______ .
'You need to take the weight off the mounts to check.'
He means to check the motor mounts. You will have to jack the transmission to check it's mount.
Back in the old days, you could tell if a motor mount was broke by opening the hood and looking at the motor. While in park have the engine running and have someone hit the gas hard to bring up the RPMs very quickly. The entire engine will actually lift up if the motor mounts are broken and not securing the engine to the subframe.
One of the coolest things I ever saw.
It could be a lot of things. Bad hub bearing, brake disc warped, steel band in tire broken, worn ball joints, wheel not balanced.......
Thanks, CCc girl, Gimme3steps!! I think for the issues of bad hub bearing, brake disc warped, steel band in tire broken, worn ball joints, wheel not balanced, the car would need to be in motion to create these problems. My vibration occurs when the car is at a full stop, and idling.
All - my experience with Toyota dealerships has been good. Colorado tends to have some very reputable ones - have used Stevinson East and Pedersen in Fort Collins. I feel more comfy at the dealership than a repair shop. Historically, the quality of work and workmanship has been better.
Forgot to post that the problem was resolved for $600. It was the engine mounts. Car runs perfect now and ran great for nearly two years until it was rear-ended and totaled a few weeks ago. IMO, that was a good price and I'm so glad to find a repair shop that is good at diagnosing....Hotchkiss Auto Repair, Colfax and Oneida, Denver, CO. They are simply the best and most professional car repair service I've ever used. They are able to think outside the box. These folks will not do any work on a car unless there is an indication that the work is needed. If it isn't on the schedule for that car, and there are no problems, they will not replace something that doesn't need it. My potential new car is there now being inspected.
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