# Vibrating front end until the car warms up **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** outback, vibration, subaru\ **Created:** [December 17, 2007, 1:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vibrating-front-end-until-the-car-warms-up/8413 "2007-12-17T13:47:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![iahtraveler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/aca169/32.png) [@iahtraveler](https://community.cartalk.com/u/iahtraveler)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2007, 1:47pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vibrating-front-end-until-the-car-warms-up/8413/1 "2007-12-17T13:47:29Z")
I have a 98 Subaru Outback with 115k on the clock. Lately, in the first 15-20 miles after sitting overnight or several hours, there is a vibration from the front end. When I go over ~40, I can feel it through the brake pedal. When I go over ~55, the steering wheel will vibrate. After the car’s sufficiently warmed up, it’s smooth as can be. I’ve replaced both front axles in the past year… did I get a dud or is there something else you can think of? ---
**Author:** ![Loafer](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loafer/32/28_2.png) [@Loafer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Loafer)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2007, 2:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vibrating-front-end-until-the-car-warms-up/8413/2 "2007-12-17T14:54:44Z")
Does in only do this when the temperature is cold outside, say below 30deg F.? Bias-ply tires do this when it’s cold, but you don’t have bias ply tires. ---
**Author:** ![iahtraveler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/aca169/32.png) [@iahtraveler](https://community.cartalk.com/u/iahtraveler)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2007, 3:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vibrating-front-end-until-the-car-warms-up/8413/3 "2007-12-17T15:10:17Z")
Nope, it does this no matter what the ambient temperature is. I’m down in Texas and even on hot days, it is still shaking until something in the car heats up. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2007, 3:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vibrating-front-end-until-the-car-warms-up/8413/4 "2007-12-17T15:21:06Z")
Since you say you can feel the vibration through the brake pedal and steering wheel, the first thing that comes to mind is a sticking brake. Drive your cold car for about 10 miles and pull over. Feel both front wheels and brakes for excessive heat. If so, you have a brake problem. ---
**Author:** ![iahtraveler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/aca169/32.png) [@iahtraveler](https://community.cartalk.com/u/iahtraveler)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 1:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vibrating-front-end-until-the-car-warms-up/8413/5 "2007-12-18T01:30:10Z")
Thanks for the thoughts! I work at an R&D lab, so we have lots of temperature probes around. Later this week, I’ll borrow one so I can check the brake without burning my hand… just in case it is very hot. ---
**Author:** ![iahtraveler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/aca169/32.png) [@iahtraveler](https://community.cartalk.com/u/iahtraveler)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 1:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vibrating-front-end-until-the-car-warms-up/8413/6 "2007-12-18T13:45:33Z")
Steve, YOU’RE GREAT! I drove my car on my 3.5 mile drive to work this morning then felt all 4 brakes. The front/driver side brake I could barely touch with the back of my finger, it was so hot. On my other 3, they were cool still. The funny thing is that about 4-5 months ago (when it was warm & my windows were always down), I could hear that brake squaling every once in a while. I immediately took it to my mechanic who said he drove it & never heard it. He ‘inspected the brakes’ but couldn’t find anything. I’m debating whether to find a new mechanic or not? ---
**Author:** ![SteveF](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/stevef/32/2_2.png) [@SteveF](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveF)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 4:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vibrating-front-end-until-the-car-warms-up/8413/7 "2007-12-18T16:03:10Z")
Nah, just get it fixed. Let this mechanic continue to work on the easy stuff. If he is ever stumped, check back here again. Happy motoring. ---
**Author:** ![iahtraveler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/aca169/32.png) [@iahtraveler](https://community.cartalk.com/u/iahtraveler)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2007, 6:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/vibrating-front-end-until-the-car-warms-up/8413/8 "2007-12-18T18:07:53Z")
Well, he is stumped on something else, which has me thinking of going the new mechanic route. When I have 3-4 people in my car (which is rare), and turn right, it’s making a rough noise from the rear of the car. It’s almost like a slow grinding noise. The mechanic checked the suspension and found nothing wrong. He also put 2 shop guys in the car & couldn’t replicate the noise, but it does it EVERY TIME for me. When we picked up a friend from the airport, it made the noise and my friend immediately looked under my car & couldn’t find anything immediately wrong. Once he left, he called me & told me to check my tail pipe for too much play. With only a little force, it will easily move ~3"… do you think my hangers are shot?