front end vibrating and electrical problume

[shonuffisthemaster]

My front end is vibrating at all but the slowest speeds. It varies with speed. I can drive it on the highway fine but it feels like I'm going over a bridge all the time, a rapid, gentle vibration, not a shaking or shuddering. when I veer or turn left the vibrating stops, when I go straight or right its about the same (no or not much increse when truning right).

Earlier on I beleve the rotors were warped, and it was vibrating only with braking, I didn't have a chance to fix it but now there is no incresed vibration when braking. I also put some new used tires on the front (after the braking vibration had stopped), but it seems to me if they were out of balance the vibrating wouldn't stop when turning left, when I get around to it I'll throw some other tires on there and see what happens.

The second question is a rather strange electrical problume. The drivers side tail light section, including turn signals had been out for a little while. I finally got around to changing the bulb, and now it works, but every time i brake the insturment panel lights and running lights come on.

any ideas?

[keith]

You could have a bent rim, but considering that it goes away when turning left, it would more likely be a cv joint or wheel bearing. You are going to have to jack it up and do some inspecting and testing.

[splatterdog]

On question #2 I would check the ground for the tail lights. If it's bad, voltage will backfeed the running lights.

A 1156 bulb in a 1157 socket can do this too.

[shonuffisthemaster]

Thanks for the respionses, I'd hate to think its one of the wheel berings as I recentlly replaced both. It also has fairly new (rebuilt) axles, and there really is no clicking sound at all with tight corners, wich is what I'm used to with CV joints. How would one check the berings?

Thanks splatterdog, I just got a bulb from the gas station that looked the same so it could verry well be that.

[splatterdog]

To check bearings you need a cheap mechanic's stethoscope. A long screwdriver against the ear works too.

Properly support the front and spin the tires at least 20-30 mph and listen to the steering knuckles with the stethoscope. Most bearings are easily diagnosed this way. CV's can be checked at the same time. Turn both ways while maintaining speed and load the driveline down with the brakes. It helps to have a second set of ears for axle diagnosis.

As far as bearings,the noise going away while turning left would usually indicate the left one. The inside wheel/bearing has less stress on turns.