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Buick Lucerne Vibration Problems

226 messages,  Last post on Oct 13, 2012 at 12:10 PM

You are in the Buick Lucerne Forum.

What is this discussion about? Buick Lucerne, Tires, Wheels, Steering, Sedan

Messages Page 22 of 24

#202 of 226 Viberations by oldguy8

Oct 21, 2009 (1:54 pm)

I have owned my Lucerne for over a year and it has no vibration problems, has Michlan tires.

#203 of 226 CXL Vibration etc. by gsabens

Oct 25, 2009 (9:30 pm)

The store I'm dealing with is the good one, the dealer I bought the car from would only say everything was within specs. I guess I forgot to say that the dealer changed my tires to Michelin only after I paid $50 each for the upgrade. GM's refusal to admit a flaw goes back to a thrustplate failure years ago which affected nearly 100% of the model I had at the time, but my Lucerne is the fourth Buick I've had since so either I'm blindly loyal or stupid,. I just wish they were a little easier to deal with. Maybe now with their recent trouble ........

#204 of 226 Re: Lucerne CXL vibration [gsabens] by edub708

Oct 25, 2009 (9:42 pm)

Replying to: gsabens (Oct 21, 2009 12:24 pm)
how did you diagnose the problem? I suspect I may have the same issue. If it is, I will try to point that out so the dealer can change it instead of me.

#205 of 226 Re: vibration 06 cxl [brigettev] by rgd3

Oct 26, 2009 (8:18 am)

Replying to: brigettev (Jul 26, 2009 9:51 am)
The vibration can not be fixed with new tires. I've had 10 tires on my Lucerne and balanced at least 5 times in one year. Several dealers all will claim that the vibration is due to road noise, that the vibration doesn't exist or that it is normal. Even went to court in Pittsburgh on Lemon Law. Our case was strong with 1 years worth of documentation with dealers, local frame and axle dealer, and local reputable tire dealer. Court was a kangaroo court with Buick Dealer representative and judge winking at each other. Clunking in steering is also a problem. Attempt at repair was also a failure. I'm 57 years old and have owned several vehicles. This is by far the worst riding vehicle that I've ever owned including those old clunkers from when I was a kid.

#206 of 226 Re: Vibration [jbrich] by rgd3

Oct 26, 2009 (8:39 am)

Replying to: jbrich (May 29, 2008 6:37 am)
How'd you win the case? Our case in Pittsburgh was a Kangaroo Court with the Buick Dealer Representative and Judge winking at each other. We lost and decided to drop it on the advice of our attorney.
 
Clunking in steering is also a problem. Attempt at repair was also a failure. I'm 57 years old and have owned several vehicles. This is by far the worst riding vehicle that I've ever owned including those old clunkers from when I was a kid.
 
I do believe that the axles need to be replaced but can't convince anyone from Buick to do the work. BTY what will happen if this is not fixed? Is this dangerous?

#207 of 226 Re: Lucerne CXL vibration [edub708] by gsabens

Oct 26, 2009 (11:51 am)

Replying to: edub708 (Oct 25, 2009 9:42 pm)
Realizing that the vibration seemed to be much more noticeable at 60-65 mph I jacked one front wheel clear of the driveway pavement, blocked both rear wheels, started the engine, shifted to drive and ran the speed to 30 mph (the other front wheel was on the concrete and not turning) so the elevated wheel was doing 60. The left front, with or without the tire and wheel, gave a real good vibration. Repeating all this with the right side produced no vibration at all. Had to be the left side shaft or joints. By now all the service writers would suddenly have something urgent to do when I showed up so I went to an independent who replaced the assembly for $220. My wife agrees that it was worth it since now her teeth don't chatter the whole time we're in the car. Careful with that jacking stuff!!

#208 of 226 Re: Lucerne CXL vibration [gsabens] by rgd3

Oct 26, 2009 (12:14 pm)

Replying to: gsabens (Oct 26, 2009 11:51 am)
I had the tire dealer jack the REAR tires off of the ground. They could not get the vibration out with weights. A local frame and axle company said that the inner CVC joints in the front axle were bad. I don't know what the problem is and can't get the dealer to work on the car. I can't afford to experiment.

#209 of 226 Re: Lucerne CXL vibration [gsabens] by imidazol97

Oct 26, 2009 (12:21 pm)

Replying to: gsabens (Oct 26, 2009 11:51 am)
>started the engine, shifted to drive and ran the speed to 30 mph (the other front wheel was on the concrete and not turning) so the elevated wheel was doing 60. The left front, with or without the tire and wheel, gave a real good vibration. Repeating all this with the right side produced no vibration at all. Had to be the left side shaft or joints. By now all the service writers would suddenly have something urgent to do when I showed up so I went to an independent who replaced the assembly for $220
 
You verified what someone else had already reported. Good for you. ANd I'm glad you were analytical enough in your procedure that you found the vibration. Many people don't realize that in a differential setup, one wheel free is turning twice the speed of the speedometer. So it can be very dangerous.
 
I also would worry about hanging the wheel free, because the CV joint is flexing more than its usual amount. I would have supported the A-arm some. But I'm glad you found the problem.
 
What I would do is submit a copy of the bill to the service manager, not the writers, the service manager. Along with the copy I"d list the times you were in and what you told them to check.
 
I'd also submit the bill directly to Buick by certified mail. I would suspect $220 may show up in your mailbox as goodwill payment. I remember when I disassembled my 67 Mustang because it kept freezing up after a long drive. Ford paid me for the damaged piston and required new gaskets for rebuilding the motor. They did keep the damaged piston.

#211 of 226 Re: Lucerne CXL vibration [imidazol97] by gsabens

Oct 26, 2009 (8:19 pm)

Replying to: imidazol97 (Oct 26, 2009 12:21 pm)
I should have included in my explanation that I used a floor jack under the front suspension systems and that the axle and joints weren't hanging free, You're right, if they are hanging free you would be so far out of the usual running position that you could get vibrations from an assembly which does not have a problem.

Messages Page 22 of 24

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