Hi!
I have a 2007 hyundai elantra gls that shimmies at 12 and 40 mph (front end.) I've replaced the tires and the rims and it's no better...any ideas?

Thanks,

mike

 

Bad alignment
Damaged/worn suspension parts

 

Well the verdict came back..all four motor mounts are cracked (the rubber).
Actually three of four are but might as well do all four while it's up there.
Here's what I am wondering: This car is only 5 yrs old and 77000 miles. I know it was in one major collision before I owned it. so...Does this seem possible?

The shimmy does get worse when there's a load on the engine. If I coast it goes down considerably. hmmmm.

Also they want $860 total for the job (the mounts are 160 each!)

 

77,000 miles with a major collision and you're wondering if it could be possible? Ah...yes.

 

Sorry if I'm being obtuse...My last cat was a 2002 nissan sentra with 148000 miles and over the course of ownership I put less than 1500 into it (I was the original owner)... I've had this car less than one month and I've already put 1200 in without the motor mounts! (granted it's been tires, replacement rims, water pump and timing belt and all the other belts) So I'm freaking out a little.
The hyundai dealership said they didn't think that could be it. The fellow that i'm taking it to is very good - He's not much cheaper than the dealership (he wants 860 out the door the dealer wants 1021$ and I'm not sure that includes tax....)
I live in PHX AZ so the desert is harsher on anything that can suffer from heat....I guess I am having trouble getting over the contrast in cost of ownership. And of course the nightmare scenario is that I pay for the repair and the trouble persists (not saying it's unfair...just wish there was a a better way)

 

Was the Sentra ever in a "major collision"? I'm going to guess, no.

Did the original owner of the Elantra maintain it as well as you maintained your Sentra? Again, I'm going to guess, no.

So, I'm going out on a limb here and say, if the Elantra had been maintained as well as your Sentra and was never in a "major collision", it wouldn't be costing you as much now.

 

Your observations are correct but notwithstanding my problem is still not solved....

I just had the wheels re-balanced and hub rings put on. The shimmy is a bit harder to detect but it's still there. It seems a little strange that it really hits at about 15-20 and then again at 40-45.
If it were motor mounts I should be able to put the car in gear,hold the brake and press on the gas and feel it shaking the wheel right?

I'm wondering if there any other diagnostic measures I can take or other things I should be looking at?

 

By the way - the mechanic said he was able to visually see that the mounts were bad...Is it actually possible to see them without taking them out?

 

Here's an update: I had three mounts replaced and no real benefit However now the brakes squeak (coincidence I suppose...)

No the shimmy happens at 13mph and just under 40mph. If I hit the gas I can get through those spots and the car feels normal. Problem is I drive around 40 very frequently.

Really need some suggestions