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I have a 98 civic lx. This problem happened yesterday and 2 days ago. Before that about a month ago, so it does not happen all the time. The front end of my car shakes when I let off the gas. For example when I accelerate up to 50-70 no problems but when I let off the gas the front end shakes, steering wheel shakes and car pulls to the right. It also happens when I let off the gas to push the clutch in. The problem seems to occur when I'm coasting, not accelerating. There is no popping, clunking, or any unusual sounds. I know I have a small pin hole in my inside p.s. axle boot and its throwing grease but if it was my cv joint wouldn't I have problems when I'm accelerating and wouldn't there be some noise? Could it be a bent rim or something like that? Any suggestions or a place to start would be a big help. Thanks Tim

 
Rep Power: 243

to start i would say... an alignment... and maybe a balance of your tires depending on how long ago those two things happened... beyond that it would maybe move into some suspension work... i wouldn't think it would be a bent rim... but you could have a tire shop look into it... it probly shouldn't relle cost much or anything.. but that would require a bit of force to bend the rim i would think

 
Rep Power: 812

sounds more like busted engine mounts to me. when accelerating, the engine doesnt move around much, but when you let off, you get more vibration. or maybe a combination of other things.

 
Rep Power: 331

^agreed, the fact that it's happening off throttle, sounds like the motor is just moving around all over the place. the front mount is usually the first to go and once that happens the rear has to do double duty, so it doesnt typically last long after that. I wouldnt be surprised if a few or all of them are done. Pulling can come from misalignment or busted compliance bushings. the 7thgen is very notorious for having bad compliance bushings in the front lower control arms. Most of us around the DC area have at one point replaced the bushings or gone with the energy suspensions version that is a superior design over stock.

here is a busted front mount:


LCA with compliance bushing removed:

 
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Skipbarber- If it was the motor mounts wouldn't the vibrations happen all the time? This vibration only happens intermittantly. Thanks Tim

 
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I had a problem very similar to that when accelerating it would be fine and when I remove my foot off the gas it would shake it turn out that i had a bad Tie Rod End I replaced it and everything was fine after.

 
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Vibration wouldn't necessarily happen all the time. Think about it, when you accelerate, gravity and momentum pull the motor back (not much, it is a stock Honda after all) and it snugs up against the mounts like they were new. You let off the pedal and the motor rocks back and shakes like a ****.

 
Rep Power: 331

nope, that motor mount was mine, my car was doing what you described, under acceleration the motor would rock back and pretty much stay seated. just like speedfoos just said..at idle speeds or off throttle it'll lurch back into it's original position and send vibrations through the rest of the car. tie rods have similar symtoms too when they go bad, but usually make noise.

 
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Skipbarber- Thanks for the info.. Man that mount looks bad.
What is the best way to check the mounts?

 
Rep Power: 331

you can look at them, inpect them for cracks. you can also have someone brake torque the car for you as you watch the motor, thats when you really see the effects of faulty mounts..

 
Rep Power: 226

does bad alingment cause vibration? Sure?

 
Rep Power: 331

no, wheels that are out of balance do.

 
Rep Power: 812

and thats constant only at certain speeds, not based on accel/decel. and it mainly causes the wheel to vibrate and not the whole car, but if they are really bad like a ton of snow packed in the rim, then yeah it feels like the car is gonna explode lol

 
Rep Power: 249

check your motor mounts like everyone mentioned, and check your tie rod ends. it sounds like they're bad, and that'd be the easiest and probably cheapest fix to do first. it's not hard to tell if they're bad either. sounds like that's what it is though.

 
Rep Power: 243

ya... is it cold out when this happens alot... or is it jus intermitantly whenever... cause snow or ice in the tire can cause it... but its probly not the problem

 
Rep Power: 262

Good luck....I have a similiar problem when downshift....a loud duh,duh,duh,duh sound would be heard when downshifting, sounds just like a motor mount. Also have a studder feeling when downshift, as if something is binding. Finally gotten so bad it started doing this on upshifts aswell

Noise started after stage 4 clutch install. I also blew my transmission up. used trans with 45k, new exedy clutch, brand new flywheel / noise is still present, transmission issues are gone.

Found both front axles shakin like crazy on decel....replaced both axles, noise still present.

Found front motor mount torn, replaced, still present. All other motor mounts solid.

Found vibration dampener on subframe broke, replaced, noise still present.

I have taken subframe out 3 times & check alignment, all bolts are solid & are not stripped.

I am a mechanic & work at a dealership......Myself or any of my techs cannot track down this noise.

Good friggin luck!!! I've about spent my paitenance on this car.

I was able to spot all of the above while downshifting on a lift in the area.......nothing can be seen or heard moving now. Just the noise while downshift.

I also found my power steering rack is shot makes a loud clunk when turned from stop to stop. Only thing I can think of is my 2nd transmission is bad aswell....????