- #207 of 214
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Re: Lucerne CXL vibration [edub708]
by gsabens
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Oct 26, 2009 (10:51 am)
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Replying to: edub708 (Oct 25, 2009 8:42 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!!
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- #208 of 214
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Re: Lucerne CXL vibration [gsabens]
by rgd3
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Oct 26, 2009 (11:14 am)
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Replying to: gsabens (Oct 26, 2009 10:51 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.
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- #209 of 214
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Re: Lucerne CXL vibration [gsabens]
by imidazol97
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Oct 26, 2009 (11:21 am)
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Replying to: gsabens (Oct 26, 2009 10:51 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.
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- #211 of 214
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Re: Lucerne CXL vibration [imidazol97]
by gsabens
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Oct 26, 2009 (7:19 pm)
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Replying to: imidazol97 (Oct 26, 2009 11:21 am)
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.
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- #212 of 214
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Re: Lucerne CXL vibration [rgd3]
by gsabens
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Oct 26, 2009 (7:41 pm)
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Replying to: rgd3 (Oct 26, 2009 11:14 am)
In my case the problem was the left inner CV joint and I was told that the joint itself wasn't available, that the whole assembly was the only way to go. The price for the assembly was $120 with $100 labor. Don't expect that at the dealer. I told the service writer at the dealer that I was sure of my diagnosis but he would only agree to check for vibrations, which was a repeat of what they had already done. At that point I decided to go elsewhere and was happily surprised with the estimate.
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- #213 of 214
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Re: Lucerne CXL vibration [gsabens]
by imidazol97
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Oct 27, 2009 (4:06 am)
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Replying to: gsabens (Oct 26, 2009 7:19 pm)
>I used a floor jack
Thank you. I feel safer for you.
I still would hassle the dealership about a refund of cost.
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- #214 of 214
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Satisfactory resolution
by gsabens
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Nov 13, 2009 (11:37 am)
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I went to my local Buick dealer (Not where I bought my 06) with the invoice for the work I had done at the independent shop and. what do you know ! I'm assured that I will receive a check for the full amount in the next few days. Good for GM !!
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