jc2005

I have a 99 es300 just had the front rotors, calipers and brakes changed and had an alignment done but at highway speeds the car still vibrates really bad. When I got the alignment done they told me I needed 2 mew rear tires. Could that be causing the vibrations or could it be something else?

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Bad tires can cause a vibration, but it depends on the type of vibration you're having. Do you feel it through your hands in the steering wheel, in your butt through the car seat, or in your foot from the gas pedal, etc?

jc2005

I only feel it through my hands in the steering wheel.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

The vibration is coming from the front. Check your lug nuts to make sure the wheels are secured evenly to the hubs. Check your tire pressures. It could be bad tie rod ends (the linkage between the steering rack and the tire). You can check by jacking the front of the car up and trying to shake the wheels back and forth at 3 and 9 o clock for tie rod movement, and at 12 and 6 o clock for ball joint movement.

If it's not the tires or lugs nuts, get it addressed immediately as your joints could be very close to coming apart.

jc2005

So I just got home and tried to move both tires and neither one budged. I checked the lug nuts and they were all on fine. I visually checked the air pressure and as you can see from the pictures one could use a little air but I don't think its to the point where it would cause it to vibrate that bad but I will go physically check them later.

mark71

What did you find?? I am having the same problem.

jc2005

I still haven't found a solution yet. I'm going to have it looked at this week.

mark71

So what did the mechanic say? Mine said that the tire(s) probably has a "flat spot" and it will work itself out.
total BS.

jc2005

Lol yea that doesn't even sound believable. My mechanic found out that it was my brake hose. It was causing my calipers to restrict like my foot was on the brake the whole time. Once he broke the line it loosened all my wheels up. It was so bad that less than 2 weeks after having all of that stuff changed, my brakes are completely gone, my rotors are warped and the calipers are turning a different color because of the heat so they have to be changed again too.

mark71

"My mechanic found out that it was my brake hose. It was causing my calipers to restrict like my foot was on the brake the whole time. Once he broke the line it loosened all my wheels up..."

LOL!!! My mechanic also mentioned that my caliper was doing the SAME thing. Told me I need 2 new calipers. $700. The guy could barely put 2 sentences together so that doesn't give me a warm fuzzy.

Now I just have to find a mechanic to look at the brake hose. What do you mean he "broke" the line? I have to try and convey this to the next mechanic I talk too about this. if you and I have had this problem I believe it must be a common issue with this generation of ES300.

Mark

jc2005

700???? Lmao that is ridiculous and doesn't even sound believable lmao... you can get calipers for around 50 a piece....I'm not sure what he meant by that I assumed it was a term mechanics used and because I trust him I didn't even think to ask especially since he told me I might need the hose replaced beforehand but whatever it means he said as soon as he did it all of the wheels spun normally... it wouldn't surprise me if it was a common issue.... how many miles are on yours?

mark71

My 98 ES300 has 179, 250 miles.

lostape45

Just curious but what would a vibration from the gas pedal mean?

mark71

JC2005,

Can you please call your mechanic and find out exactly what was required to fix your issue?
I would appreciate it. Should only be a quick call. Here is why I need to know. I have already told my mechanic that the "brake line needs to be broken loose" and they have no idea what I am talking about.

Mark

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

Mark, your statement makes very little sense, that's why they had no idea what you meant.

The issue the other guy was having is with his brake calipers. They seized up and caused the vibration he was having. From what I understand, his mechanic damaged one of the brake hoses while trying to remove it from the caliper. You may not need to touch your brake lines, only the calipers.

What you want to have your mechanic do is inspect your brake calipers.