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MDX steering wheel vibration at highway speed

60 messages,  Last post on Aug 04, 2012 at 2:23 PM

You are in the Acura MDX Forum.

What is this discussion about? Acura MDX, Steering, SUV

Messages Page 4 of 6

#31 of 60 Re: this worked for me[gregmdx] [07mdx1] [kd55] by 07mdx1

Feb 08, 2010 (12:16 pm)

Replying to: kd55 (Feb 08, 2010 7:07 am)
recommend you call delearship for these questions. in my case, the tires were new and where out of round from the factory. even after rounding the tires, the mdx required fine tune balancing with the tires on the hub and at speed.
 
in your case, it might be you just threw a weight off, which is possible.(i believe they are just stick on weights).
 
again, if you are close to dealer, check with them.
 
as far as your question..."how do i know if they did the work..."...there should be no vibrations at highway speed or any other speed...(dependant on roadsurface)..
 
good luck

#32 of 60 Re: this worked for me[gregmdx] [07mdx1] [kd55] [07mdx1] by lb08730

Mar 05, 2010 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: 07mdx1 (Feb 08, 2010 12:16 pm)
I have 08 MDX base model and having same vibration issues. Car has been to dealer at least 7 times, first time 2 days after purchase. First dealer said it was balancing issue. Still not fixed. Second dealer replaced rotors, bearings, shocks, and brakes. Still vibration. Dealer then replaced Bridgestone's with Michelin's, better but still vibration, now rattles all over the car especially in passenger side door, sunroof, headliner, and dashboard. When stopping or starting can hear screws rolling around in doors and roof, very annoying!!! Dealer can't seem to fix these problems. Anyone had any luck with the lemon law on these cars. Contacted Acura but they did nothing.

#33 of 60 Re: same here [gregmdx] by rar2

Mar 07, 2010 (7:03 am)

Replying to: gregmdx (Dec 04, 2009 3:10 pm)
I realize this is an MDX forum, which is a car I am contemplating purchasing in the near future. I really appreciate all the information here, as everything on Edmunds. I feel it's necessary to cross this one off the list.
 
I have had the shake everyone here describes in my '08 Camry from day one and am doing my best to purchase a vehicle that does not have it. Always had Honda/Acura and didn't have the shake until my '05 Pilot - the shake started after 2 years. Honda wanted me to spend thousand to figure out what could be the issue on a 2yr old car. They had a wheel bearing TSB which might have been the issue, but neglected to let me know about it - found out years later.
 
Was told what all these postings say, with respect to Toyota, live with it, that's how it was designed. Even went to arbitration - they did nothing. I am debating between an RX350 and Acura MDX.
 
I test drove an '09 MDX that had been traded for a Lexus RX350 - had the shake on the highway. So...is this saying buy the Lexus? Are you referring to Lexus Rx330, when you say 330?
 
It's a very annoying thing...I am finally able to get rid of my '08 Camry but with all the recalls can't sell on my own and a bit hesitant about a Lexus purchase.

#34 of 60 Re: this worked for me[gregmdx] [07mdx1] [kd55] [07mdx1] [lb08730] by stma1

Mar 08, 2010 (4:32 pm)

Replying to: lb08730 (Mar 05, 2010 1:13 pm)
This worked for me, first of all just because the dealer has a Hunter road force machine doesn't mean they know how to use it, the machine needs to be calibrated
and also EACH time the machine is used the proper setting has to be chosen or else that balance will not be done correctly, my 2007 had an issue, I took the vehicle to my
local trusted small tire guy with the same equipment and he spent the time to roadforce match AND balance the tires and absolutely NO vibration at all speeds, I never rotated the tires at all and the tires lasted 40k, my 2010 which I picked up had the same issue, I took it to the same shop and guess what , no VIBRATION, I did give the dealer a shot but the mechanics do not want to spend the time dealing with the tires and MADE the vibration worse by improper use of the Hunter machine, I was reimbursed by the dealer and I will never rotate tires as I do not want to deal with any vibration issues and tire wear issues have been non existent without rotation, I would say that 95% of these vibrations can be traced to improper operation of the Hunter roadforce balancer and not a tire issue.

#36 of 60 call acura w/ complaints by ebraun49

Mar 15, 2010 (8:04 am)

I have been experiencing the same vibration problems as well. I just complained to Acura,#800-382-2238. I hope all of the posts do the same and anyone who reads this as well. Hopefully this will get the ball rolling. please call asap.

#37 of 60 Re: MDX steering wheel vibration at highway speed [Roudy1975] by mtmdx

Mar 18, 2010 (5:20 am)

Replying to: Roudy1975 (Jan 11, 2009 12:34 pm)
My 07 would vibrate so bad it felt as though the tires were coming off, but it was very intermittent, as in months apart. Went through the entire wheel rotate and balance act a couple times, then at 20k had to replace brake pads and turn rotors. My driving style is not such that this should have occured and of course brakes are not covered under warranty. Still every so often at highway speeds the terrible vibration would begin, so bad you have to pull over. I've owned several pieces of crap over my 40 plus years of driving and even the worst never acted like that. Get back on the road and it was fine. Then I began having problems around town, car did not seem to accelerate properly (felt like clutch slippage or emergency brake on) engine would rev but car would barely move. Pratically every warning indicator began coming on.......AWD-Brakes-Transmission-Traction Control, at the same time, I was on the phone constantly; nearest Acura dealer is nearly 500 miles. Then I noticed if I let off the gas the car would simply stop just as if the brakes had been applied. Sure enough, got out and rotors were smoking hot and I had not applied the brakes. Had our local Honda service department drive it and finally it happened to him. Honda had them replace the brake switch and problem has not happened since. On my last call to the Acura corporate service advisor, I told him I new what was wrong the brakes seem to be applying themselves and I related the most recent incident; he replied "we are not going to take an amateur approach to this". Doesn't take an Acura factory trained mechanic to realize brakes should not be hot when you haven't used them. After badgering Acura reimbursed me for brake switch repair but refused to admit this could have caused the pads and rotors to wear so quickly. As much as I like Honda as a company and their vehicles this was my second and last MDX. No one was willing to give me the benefit of doubt, not Lyle Pearson in Boise, not Acura client services, not road side assistance........the only help I got, was from my Honda dealer. For the record, road side assistance would not cover shipping the car to Boise because it was driveable. Do not listen to this nonsense about out of round tires, wheel balancing, ice buildup and the rest. A $50K vehicle should not behave like this, in their defense however they do not know what is wrong.........I know what was wrong with mine! Good luck folks.

#38 of 60 Re: MDX steering wheel vibration at highway speed [mtmdx] by barbmathers

Mar 18, 2010 (7:14 pm)

Replying to: mtmdx (Mar 18, 2010 5:20 am)
Interesting. I have noticed that mine is vibrating mostly when I have just started driving the car and I get right on a highway and am pulling uphill a bit. The car has a definite vibration, but it goes away after about 3 or 4 minutes. I have tried shifting it into different gears to see if maybe the engine is just straining, but that doesn't help.
 
It almost feels like the car needs a tune-up. I service it at the regular intervals, but I wonder if they need to be doing something more.

#39 of 60 Re: MDX steering wheel vibration at highway speed [barbmathers] by lb08730

Mar 28, 2010 (11:58 am)

Replying to: barbmathers (Mar 18, 2010 7:14 pm)
I continue to have problems with my '08 MDX with vibrations. The other day the car was shaking so bad it felt like the wheels were going to come off, had to pull over. Started up again, still vibration that you can feel in the seats. I can't stand getting in the car anymore and I have a long commute each day. Acura has done nothing for me and the tech says that it is supposed to do that. Are they crazy?
 
Has anyone had any issues with the 2010 models? I have only heard about years prior to the new models. I need to get rid of this thing but not sure what to get in its place.
 
I know a couple of other people with this SUV and they are not experiencing the problems that I am. I also read that others are having serious vibration problems intermittently. That is how mine is as well, always a vibration but some days worse than others. I really don't know what to do, the dealer does not know what to do for the problem. It is very frustrating to say the least.

#40 of 60 Re: MDX steering wheel vibration at highway speed [lb08730] by stma1

Mar 28, 2010 (12:27 pm)

Replying to: lb08730 (Mar 28, 2010 11:58 am)
Please see my post at # 34, I had the same thing done to my 2007 which had a slight vibration and my 2010 also, it is a simple fix if the operator KNOWS how to use the Hunter Roadforce 9700, look on the tire rack website to find an authorized installer in your area, it is worth the 100-125 dollars spent to fix this issue and have a smooth as silk ride and NEVER rotate the tires after the 'fix' is applied, I never rotated mine and got 40k out of my tires.

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