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Hey guys, I've recently started having issues with my festiva's front end feeling like its going to come apart at any minute. I replaced the driver's side CV half shaft because it was trashed (both boots were torn away and I live on a gravel road, so rocks got into the axle joint). That helped a bit with the issue but the car kept vibrating somewhat violently on what feels like the passenger's side. So I bought the other side and took the old CV half shaft out of the passengers side but the shaft checked out ok, so I didn't replace it (plus the part I received didn't fit).
More background: I recently replaced the top right engine mount, and the bottom front mount. Unfortunately when I was replacing the front mount, I found that the skid plate has rusted away from the frame (my festiva is VERY rusty) and the only thing preventing it from dropping to the ground is the stabilizer bar. This would explain why the motor shakes when I accelerate at a decent rate, which is why I replaced the mounts in the first place, which after this discovery, was pointless. So, my friend and I jury rigged this last night by taking a one inch block of wood and zip-tying it between the skid plate and the stabilizer bar, to reduce the gap. (Don't freak out, this is a temporary experimental fix). This solved most if not all of the engine shaking, however, it seems like the CV axle vibrating has returned on the driver's side, in addition to the passenger side. It is not as violent, but is still very noticeable. It seems like its almost dampened by what we did to the skid plate.
The shaking is the worst when I go over tracks, bumps, etc, anything that makes the suspension stretch out. When the front end elevates and the tires drop it shakes the worst and is much more noticeable.
Does anyone have any kind of solution or has experienced this problem before? It is currently my only vehicle, and I'm not driving it to reduce risk of ruining my brand new CV half shaft. I'm thinking of maybe replacing the rear trans mount and seeing what that does as it is relatively inexpensive - $12.
More background: I recently replaced the top right engine mount, and the bottom front mount. Unfortunately when I was replacing the front mount, I found that the skid plate has rusted away from the frame (my festiva is VERY rusty) and the only thing preventing it from dropping to the ground is the stabilizer bar. This would explain why the motor shakes when I accelerate at a decent rate, which is why I replaced the mounts in the first place, which after this discovery, was pointless. So, my friend and I jury rigged this last night by taking a one inch block of wood and zip-tying it between the skid plate and the stabilizer bar, to reduce the gap. (Don't freak out, this is a temporary experimental fix). This solved most if not all of the engine shaking, however, it seems like the CV axle vibrating has returned on the driver's side, in addition to the passenger side. It is not as violent, but is still very noticeable. It seems like its almost dampened by what we did to the skid plate.
The shaking is the worst when I go over tracks, bumps, etc, anything that makes the suspension stretch out. When the front end elevates and the tires drop it shakes the worst and is much more noticeable.
Does anyone have any kind of solution or has experienced this problem before? It is currently my only vehicle, and I'm not driving it to reduce risk of ruining my brand new CV half shaft. I'm thinking of maybe replacing the rear trans mount and seeing what that does as it is relatively inexpensive - $12.
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