Have a vibration in the passenger side wheel on my wife's 03 outlander. Have changed brake pads and rotors. Changed wheels and tires. Thought it was flat spot on tire or unbalanced tire. Was wrong. Still does it new tire does not show weird wear patterns so I don't think it's bad suspension. Any help is appreciated.

 

Did you check your axle/cv_joints?

You have to take the wheel off, pull out the cotter pin and axle nut. Then you can move the axle back and forth to see if a cv joint has gone bad.

 

It was replaced about two years ag on passenger side.

 

Then that's the first place i'd check. Usually they replace them with rebuilt units, so i would pull the boots back and pack them full of grease to see if that helps.

Typically if the outer CV joint is bad you'll get clicking when turning, but if the inner CV joint is bad you'll get a washboard like wobble vibration, especially under acceleration.

 

It only does it at 45mph. Stops as soon as you brake under 45 and accelerate over 45

 

If I replace the passenger side cv axle do I need to replace driver as well?

 

No, you only need to do what's bad. But because it happens at a very specific speed, i don't think it's a CV axle.

It has to be a wheel balance issue is the only think i can think of, or a blown right front strut. I don't think it's a wheel bearing, but you can check that too by putting your car on jack stands and spinning it.

It could be a bent rim, did they rotate your tires after installing new ones??? You can try rotating tires.

 

I put new wheels and tires on.

 

With struts replace both or just bad one?

 

I would do both if you're replacing struts, they're only about $70 per strut. It's an easy job, takes less than an hour to replace and is only about 5-6 bolts to take an assembly out of the car, just make sure you have spring clamps and be very careful. Power impact helps make things quicker, but a ratchet works just as well.

However, i'm leaning more towards it being a wheel bearing. I would put the front end of the car up and put it into neutral. Try spinning the wheel to see if it's nice and smooth and there's no play in the assembly.