I am looking to possible replace my CV Axle(s) on my 08 Lexus ES350 with $155,000 miles. I have some vibrations (NOT felt in the steering wheel) when accelerating at times. It seems very light when the car first begins to move and is more noticeable once the car is moving and the RMP is around 2000. I replaced the center engine mount after hearing that as the solution for many but, that didn't fix anything. The other mounts still seems to be in good shape. There is no vibration in park at any RPM. I had a leak around the inner CV joint on the right side and after watching a video from "The Car Care Nut", removed it and examined it for rush or wear and then pack it with new grease and new boots. The left side axle also seems tight with the slightest bit of movement in the joint where the male and female splines meet (at the transmission). I've gotten to the point where the axles seem like the next thing to replace but, have no intention to pay for the factory replacements. Does this sound right? Thanks for any thoughts on this!

 

I had vibrations at different speeds and in my case, after replacing the front tires it went away. When I looked at the tire very closely and try to feel any bumps by moving my hands I felt a little dip which was overlooked on the visual inspection. It can happen when we brake hard or drive on a bad road patch.
Hope this helps
Thanks
Sid

 

My vibrations are only under load (when accelerating). Was this your experience? Thanks!

Also, I'm not getting any vibration in the steering wheel. It's more the dash and seats.

 

Hello, When wheel balance is lost due to rim bend or tire cupping/bumps etc. the vibration can happen at different spend we can not make a rule at what speed as it depends on how much balance is lost. It is like a centrifuge machine that vibrates at different speeds based on how much balance is lost. If lot then we can feel it in the steering wheel and while driving at any speed but if it lost less then it can show only under load and the steering wheel is spared. Also, no harm in checking by using your hand ( palm side ) and running over the whole wheel, if you feel any unevenness you should be able to feel it. The vibration from cupping in the tire can not be fixed with balancing because at different speeds it will hit the road and produce vibration, but as the speed increases it may go away for slight cups ( less contact on the road) but will be present at all speed with bigger tire cupping. I think it is a low hanging fruit that can be checked instead going for CV joint replacement when they are fine. I am not saying it is due to unevenness (cupping) of the tire but no harm in checking and rule out. You do not want it that after replacing CV joints still, it is there.

Below pic shows bad cupping but it can range from slight ( can be missed on visual inspection but you can feel it when running the palm side of your hand over it) to bad where you can visually see it as well as feel it


does not go with balance because there

 

Don't replace the CV shaft before you check if one or more wheels are bent.
Also, read about the torque converter shudder.

 

On the bent wheels, would this only cause vibration under load?

I'm not getting any fluctuations in RPMs so, I don't think we're seeing a torque converter issue.

 

In my case, yes.