I have a 2004 ES330 that shakes after reaching 45mph and when accelerating to higher speeds only when the accelerator is being pushed/pressed. Once the accelerator is let go and the car is coasting the shaking stops.

background is the motor mounts we’re replaced after the dealer inspected the vehicle and determine that the strut mount was torn and needed replace and they couldn’t find any other reason for the shaking. The shaking was significantly reduced after all of the mounts were replaced, but it still shakes. I took the car to have the alignment done and the caster is 2.4 degrees in one direction and 2.4 degrees in the opposite direction (unless I’m reading the printout wrong). My theory is that the engine isn’t sitting square and that is what’s causing the vibration during acceleration. Any other ideas as to why the car shakes during acceleration and when the accelerator is pressed?? Thank you for any tips and suggestions!

 

Unless I'm reading that wrong they didn't touch the caster and it is fine. There is no way to adjust caster. Shaking is almost always wheels/tires have you moved them around to isolate?

 

That’s my next step. It just seemed to be that the engine might be slightly cocked after the replacement of the motor mounts so the tires aren’t running straight. I’m probably way off base, but I’ll take it into the tire shop and have the tires rotated and balanced. Are there any other things that could be causing the shaking?

 

Hello,

What kind of "shaking" it is, does it depend on the RPM or on the speed?

The readings for the alignment are exceptional for the car of that age, you need to look at the top picture, the Current readings. While doing the balancing, ask the shop if they have equipment to check if the tire or the rim are warped and if the mating surfaces on both the rim and the brake rotor are clean and flat, that can cause quite a bit of vibration at speed. If the vibration increases during braking, it is likely a warped rotor, if during acceleration, it may be the CV axles.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

 

Crooked engine won't cause your issue unless the mounts are damaged or broken. Overlooked cause of shaking is bad struts the tire bounces up and down of the road but the struts have to be really bad for this to happen. Does this generation of ES have the rubber/metal vibration damper on the axle? Those tend to rot out and cause imbalance before they fall off.

 

CV Axles seem to be good there isn’t any play or noise when turning, boots are not torn. I’m not sure about the rubber bushings, I didn’t see any. The front struts were also replaced last year. I’ll see if the tire shop can tell if the rims are bent ext. I’ll post an update once tires are rebalanced and rotated. I’m hoping that fixes the issue.

the shaking only happens during acceleration not during braking.