You are here:

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/front end vibration

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/28/2011


Question
I have a front wheel drive 2004 Hyundai Sante Fe. At about 60-65 front end vibrates. As soon as I let off on gas it stops. Thought problem was tires and had new ones put on. Still does same thing. About 4 months ago had slight brake problem coming down a mountain. Front right disc wheel was smoking. I let it sit for 15 minutes and proceeded on.  Put new pads when I got home. Noticed same right tire wearing on edge faster than other three. Do you think disc is warped or maybe bearings are shot?

Answer
Gary,
I have seen similar problems, and they were due to a faulty brake caliper that was not releasing the piston when letting off of the brakes.  This causes the pads to drag and overheat.
I would have the brakes and calipers checked, along with the rotors.
I would have the bearings checked at the same time.  The main reason I suspect the brake caliper, is due to the overheating of the right disc.
If this is what it turns out to be, have both sides replaced.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.