Mysterious Shake

MasterKraft

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Hello:

I have a 2000 Park Avenue that was gifted to my wife and me by her grandparents. For the last 12 years the car has sat for 6 months of each year while they were in Florida. We started driving the car full time about 2 years ago. Since then we've had to change the transmission (which was going bad when get got it) and the tie rods both done about 1 year ago. I haven't done any other maintenance to it other than regular oil changes and fluid fill ups. About 2 months ago while driving it home from work, about 20 miles into driving and hitting a noticeable "bump" on a Michigan highway the car started shaking. Shaking to the point I was nervous to keep driving it on the highway. Since then the shake has come and gone VERY randomly. I don't feel it in the brakes or see or feel it in the steering wheel. We just had the wheels balanced and didn't see any change. We could drive 50 miles and multiple trips and have no shake at all and then out of nowhere it will start shaking, a little at first and then it gets worse and worse until it makes you feel like you are driving something that's going to fall apart. Sometimes you can keep driving at the same speed and it will go away. Sometimes you only feel it at 50 mph or faster but other times you can feel it at 25 mph. My dad thought it might have been spark plugs and wires but I've replaced those and didn't notice any change. One thing to note, we have never had it shake from driving the car cold. It has always taken a few minutes of driving before it starts.

I should note too that I don't hear any squeaks or squeals and the shake doesn't change when turning.

Ideas?
 
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How would you describe the tires regarding their condition? I understand that you had them balanced which is good but what about the age and overall condition of the tires?
 
How would you describe the tires regarding their condition? I understand that you had them balanced which is good but what about the age and overall condition of the tires?

The tires are about 3 years old and appear to be in good condition (no weathering, lumps, bumps, or gouges).

I'm beginning to wonder if it both of my brakes are sticking. Last night I took it for a ride and both instances it started shaking it happened after braking. It doesn't pull to either side while shaking or while braking. The rotors are a little warped since I feel the brake pedal pulse a little during normal braking. I'm going to pay closer attention while I drive it to see how closely braking is related to the issue.

Does anyone know what would cause both brakes to stick on just slightly?
 
I'm beginning to wonder if it both of my brakes are sticking. Last night I took it for a ride and both instances it started shaking it happened after braking. It doesn't pull to either side while shaking or while braking. The rotors are a little warped since I feel the brake pedal pulse a little during normal braking. I'm going to pay closer attention while I drive it to see how closely braking is related to the issue.

Does anyone know what would cause both brakes to stick on just slightly?

Suffered similar shaking symptoms last spring. Progressed quite rapidly to include the steering well and whole front end shaking on applying brakes. In addition to the brake pads being worn to bare metal, the rotors were gouged and pitted. Seemed the brake pads were bare metal for quite some time and it was the deteriorating rotor surface that caused the sever chatter.

Definitely check the brake pads and rotors. Replacing the whole ensemble of brakes, rotors, and calipers wasn't that hard. Parts from ebay and amazon kept cost down.
 
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I have a 2000 Park ave...mechanics checked all the usual suspects...It wound up being the subframe bushings...many mechanics swore it was a motor mount...it was not
 
Thanks for your report on those subframe bushings being the cause of the shake. Could you please tell us how many miles are on this vehicle?
 
I have a 2000 Park ave...mechanics checked all the usual suspects...It wound up being the subframe bushings...many mechanics swore it was a motor mount...it was not

Thanks for your input !
I'm sure someone will find it very useful sooner or later.
 
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