NO CLUE??????HELP

[Guest davidmullins]

This is one I have in my 40 plus years of driveing has never come across.Lately while driveing down the road at 45 to 50 mph I have been noticeing a shudder comeing from the front end.I can ease off to 35 mph or accelerate to 55 mph and it goes away.Thought maybe one of the tires were out of balance.So I had the front end checked and tires rotated.Same issue.I do not believe it is the engine or transmission,both are running extremely well.So does anyone have an sugestion as to what it could be.This is the kind of thing that will drive me goffy till solved.ALL HELP WILL BE GREAT.

David Mullins

[Guest EDBS0]

Please, please, please . . . give us a clue!!!!

<span style="font-weight: bold">What do you drive?</span>

[2seater]

That sounds like the typical speed range for TCC lockup shudder or possibly an engine miss when the lockup occurs at low rpm. Could be a suspension problem too but to eliminate the engine load at lockup try driving the same speed in like third gear to eliminate the load of fourth gear and lockup. It can still lockup in third in a stock system but the rpm will be higher to lessen engine load.

[Guest davidmullins]

Sorry about that,it's a 89 reatta.

[Vincent Vega]

I know this sounds wacky. Try new plug wires. I had a similar problem. Expected the worst (Bad Tranny). That's why I took it to the local expert. (I can't do transmission work). It was diagnosed as bad plug wires. New wires/problem fixed.

[Guest EDBS0]

Could be plugs, wires or coil pack.

padgett coil fix. This is good to do.

[Machiner 55]

Hello David,

I have an 89 Reatta and I believe I'm experiencing the same thing as you only I think think that I would discribe the symptom as an aggressive wallowing or wobbling of the front end. It's a fairly rapid side to side almost like the front end has Parkinsons. I had the front end aligned about a year ago because it was pulling to the right. Even after the alignment it still had a tendancy to pull right. All of the readings from the alignment were in spec. Having had a similar problem on another vehicle some time ago, I tried swapping the wheels from right side of the car to the left and visa-versa (front end only) and Viola! (or whatever) No more pulling! Tracks straight now. But, it was shortly after doing this that I noticed the "Shudder". I don't have the answer but, I'd sure like to know what is causing it.

[Guest F14CRAZY]

I'm thinking it's a bad coil pack. Symptoms: misses in overdrive, reduced power at all speeds, driving in "drive" stops the shudder.

[Machiner 55]

Coil pac upgrade ala Padgett already done.

[Guest crtnrds]

Try the rear wheels & tires (or another set of wheels) up front. Sounds like swapping wheels had some effect (no pulling) but caused another (shuudder)meaning you could have a bent wheel. I have one (bent wheel) you could experiment with.lol

[manikmekanik]

...and check your lower ball joints!

Raise and securely support the front of the car, grasp tire/wheel at top and bottom, push/pull at top/bottom to check for any play in the ball joint.There should be no slack/play.

Do the same for front/rear fo tire/wheel to check tie rod ends/steeing rack, while you're at it.

[Guest davidmullins]

All sugestions have been tried before first post.Tried the new wheels and tires off of my gran prix,no change.Already have new plugs,wires.Already did the upgrade on the coil pack as padget did.Like I said this has me shaking my head.It is consistant,on any road.I just finished rebuilding the front end a couple of weeks ago.Finished a complete fuel system rebuild about three weeks ago.been reading the shop manual and am at a dead end.So if anyone has any other sugestions,please help?...............David Mullins

[Guest CL_Reatta]

Maybe your car does'nt like being the "normal one on the road", it has Need for Speed

[Guest EDBS0]

Did you try 2seater's test for transmission?

What happened?

[Guest DTerry]

Can you tell positively that it is a steering shudder as opposed to engine miss? May sound silly, but either can masquerade as the other. If steering or suspension can be ruled out, it's a good starting place. And I believe you said earlier that you had checked tie rod ends (both ends of each?) and ball joints.

[Guest davidmullins]

Hi,finally found the problem.After rulling out the tranny and motor and all the front end,brkes,tires,ect.I had it up on my freinds rack looking it over and it was right in front of me,the motor mounts.I called napa and had the mounts delivered.While at it got the tranny mount as well.Took about two hours to change out.Took it for a spin and so far so good.Will let everyone know in a few days but I think that cured the problem.The old ones looked worn but not broken.

[paulnstl]

What was the cost of the motor mounts? i have a shudder as well and cannot get to the root of the cause either...ruled out suspension, tires, alignment and balancing...i have it at lower speeds as well and have been told it is just cowl shake...ugh!