Body Shakes

[LuvmySAAB]

My Saab has a problem when driving at highway speeds and hitting rough or uneven roads. The body starts to shake until the roads smooth out. I've replaced both upper and lower control arms, ball joints, end links and sway bar bushings. This has really tightened up the front suspension but the body is still shaking.

I'm wondering if it could be bad shocks or possibly bad body mounts? Could it be tie rod ends or rack and pinion mounts? It doesn't bounce like bad shocks would cause. The vehicle is a 2007 with 101k miles. The bushings in the front suspension were all shot, requiring replacement. I'd like to get this figured out so we have a nice smooth riding vehicle.

 

[JamesL3]

I have something similar going on, especially when I hit uneven pavement around a turn. Interested to see what the issue could be.

 

[X5rdman]

Motor mounts?

 

[JamesL3]

Motor mounts?

How do you diagnose bad ones?

 

[LuvmySAAB]

I know the motor mounts were bad on my 03 Bravada because of the shaky idle. I truly don't believe that is what this is as it idles smooth and quiet. This is happening on the highway mostly. Like I said, when the road is smooth, it's fine. As I get into rough or bumpy parts of the highway, it's like the whole body starts to shake until things smooth out.

I've searched on here and through the old trailvoy info but couldn't seem to find anything.


Another question, are 5.3 motor mounts the same as the 4.2? I have a pair as I was going to replace them before my wife totaled the Bravy.

 

[BlazingTrails]

This really sounds like your shocks. When you hit bumps your tires are bouncing like a basketball. Mine was doing that before I replaced my shocks. I would do both shocks up front and both struts in the rear.

 

[jomulk56]

I'd say shocks/struts first and body mounts second.

 

[triz]

My Bilsteins HDS barely have 35k on them and I did not really notice an improvement. I get the same feeling that they mentioned above.

To test your motor mounts you need at least two people. You want to have someone with the car on, foot on the brake and put it in drive apply some revs so the engine is under load. While that is being done look at the motor mounts. Mine were actually separating a bit. Also look at the flex of the engine while your revving it. Sorry for the poor explanation.

 

[LuvmySAAB]

No apology necessary, I completely understand what you are saying about the mounts.

As shot as the bushings were, I really wouldn't be surprised if the shocks are bad too. In fact the rubber in the upper part of the mount looks pretty bad too.

It's amazing how good of shape my 03 Bravada's suspension was with 140k miles on it compared to this 07 SAAB with 101k miles on it. But I suppose that's why I got a pretty good deal on this vehicle.