There is almost nothing worse than your car starting to vibrate when you are accelerating. If the shaking happens once or twice it may just be road conditions. If your Camry starts to vibrate frequently when accelerating then you should figure out the reason and get it fixed sooner than later. This can be a difficult task. Lucky for you we did the research and came up with some great things for you to start with.
Most common reasons for a car to vibrate while accelerating:
- Driveshaft and U Joints
- Warped Axle
- Tires
- Sticking brakes
- Wheel bearings
- Broken or bent radiator fan
- Transmission issues
- Motor mounts
- Vacuum issues
- Timing issue
- Air Filter
- Fuel Filter
- Loose lug
The cause for your vibration while accelerating may be any one of these issues listed. It may also be a combination of things. We hope that this points you in the right direction. While it may seem difficult, repairing most of these is actually quite easy and inexpensive.
The Toyota Camry is known for being an amazingly dependable vehicle. Over time and usage parts may start to fail. This is normal wear and tear on vehicles. The vibration may not be due to any mechanical issues with your vehicle. To find out the most common reasons for vibration when accelerating, read on.
Reasons a Toyota Camry Might Vibrate When Accelerating
Driveshaft and U Joints
Your vehicle’s driveshaft and axles rotate at high speeds. This can be a source of shaking. The best thing that you can do here is to check the driveshaft and U joints or universal joints. The driveshaft components may be pitted or worn. The shaft may also have to be rebalanced as it ages.
Warped Axle
Were you recently in an accident? If any of your tires were damaged in an accident you may have a warped or bent axle. This can also result from hitting objects in the road or making contact with curbs or poles. Your wheels may look fine but your axle could be bent. This is best described as a wobble or vibration coming from one particular wheel.
Unbalanced or Bad Tires
If you recently had tire work done or are in need of tirework this can also cause vibration. Unbalanced tires may feel fine at slow speeds but can develop vibration while accelerating. Check your rims and make sure that there is wheel balancing weights present. If they are not you need to get to a tire shop and have your wheels balanced. If they were not installed properly or were forgotten there will surely be a vibration. Defects in new tires can also throw things out of round, quite literally. Inspect your tires for fraying, bubbles, or divets in the tread.
Sticking Brakes
If your brakes are sticking this can cause vibration while accelerating. It is worth noting that if you just had brake work done the pads may need to wear in. This is normal. If you have not had brake work done, this may be a sign that you need to. Damage to the pads, rotors, or calipers can cause hang-ups and rub. This translates to vibration when accelerating and also when braking.
Wheel Bearings
If you accelerate and feel a vibration accompanied by grinding or humming this may be your issue. If the vibration while accelerating is accompanied by pulling to one side while braking this is a good place to start. If you are familiar with car parts there may be uneven wear on the rotors.
Broken or Bent Radiator Fan
The parts of your car engine a work of engineering and balance. If you notice a vibration while accelerating your radiator fan may have damage. Keep in mind that all of the belts that drive your engine are in some way connected to this pulley. If it is out of balance for any reason, your car will be too.
Transmission Issues
The transmission is a very important part of your car. This is where thousands of moving parts work together to help shift gears and control torque. This is the part that takes power from the engine and makes the wheels spin. Vibration while accelerating can be a sign that there are issues here, especially if you hit a certain RPM and the vibration starts.
Motor Mounts
One of the most common reasons for continuous vibration when accelerating is motor mounts. These are solid pieces often fitted with dampers. They hold the engine in place. If any of these fail you can bet that there is going to be a vibration.
Vacuum Issues
The vacuum system of a car is very important. You may think of it as just being the wipers or coolant but this is a big deal. The system has to remain tightly closed. If you are starting to feel a vibration while accelerating this is the first place that you should check. Look for any unseated connections or cracks in the hoses. A good way to do this is to lift the hood and turn on the engine. Listen close. If there are any leaks you will hear a loud hiss as air is taken in or spit out.
Timing
As previously noted all of these systems have to work together in balance. Timing helps control the position of the piston in relation to the combustion chamber and the proper time for the spark to ignite the fuel-air mixture. If the timing belt or chain has slipped, this can cause vibration and should be checked and repaired quickly.
Air Filter
If you are feeling a vibration when you are accelerating it is possible that your filter is clogged. This is where the engine gets its air for combustion. If something blocks that flow it can cause hesitation and vibration. Changing this part out is fairly easy.
Fuel Filter
If you notice a lag when starting to drive and a vibration when you are accelerating, this may be the culprit. This tiny part has to filter anything coming out of the gas tank. Over time these clog up and go bad. This is a quick and inexpensive fix. Also, check to make sure that there is no dirt or debris inside the housing.
Loose Lug
If your tires are good and you feel a vibration coming from a particular section of your car when accelerating check your lugs. A loose lug can throw your wheel out of balance. All of them should be there and tight. It is their job to secure the wheel and rim in place.
Safety First
Always err on the side of caution and get your Camry checked out by a professional as soon as possible if it starts vibrating when accelerating. A lost of these potential issues are simple fixes, but could potentially be dangerous or cause additional damage to your car if ignored.
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