Dear Ed and Jeff:
My 1996 Buick Roadmaster Estate wagon is in mint condition and has been well-maintained by the previous owner and me. It has 107,000 miles. When driving, there is a fine vibration, almost like there’s a car with a loud boom box sitting next to me. With no luck, I’ve had everything checked or replaced that I thought could possibly be the problem. Any ideas? I burn regular gas. Could that be the problem?
Larry H.
Ed: Since you called it “almost like there’s a car with a loud boom box” sitting next to you, I considered it to be a boom-boom-boom type of feel. I don’t know what you have replaced to this point, but if you haven’t had the U-joints checked in the driveshaft, this might be a good time to do so. The other possibility is a bulge on the tread of one of the tires. I am figuring that these two causes would give you the boom-boom-boom type of feel. Does the vibration seem to be more noticeable in the seat or the steering wheel? This may help in the tire part.
Jeff: Ed has addressed the first two items I would check to see if the U joints or tires are the issue. I don’t think running regular unleaded fuel has caused any issues. One thing that I have seen on GM rear-wheel-drive vehicles is that the drive shaft can become unbalanced and cause a vibrating/roaring in the body of the car. I would also check the wheel bearings and the differential bearings. At this point, some additional info would help. Feel free to write us again.
