Hello Good People,

I have had a front suspension vibration on my 2008 Dodge Avenger SE with 2.4L for about 5,000 miles now. I bought it used at 21,600 and it now has 62,800 miles on it.

The issue occurs ONLY when you drive the car slow and nothing over 15 MPH that you will sense and hear some front suspension noise coming from the front and at times you can lightly sense it on the steering wheel.

As soon as you punch the Gas and go above 15 MPH it goes away?

I took it recently to a local TIRE KINGDOM here in Orlando, Florida and the mechanic called me in the bay and we both looked and looked to find a few front "Lower" motor mounts with hair-line cracks. Of course there was not way to prove that these observations were the cause as the car is suspended in the lift and these mounts are not under load.

Does "ANYONE" has any Technical Service Bulletins on any FRONT SUSPENSION issues with the 2008 Dodge Avenger?

Any tips would be appreciated!

Carlos

 

Hello Good People!

On June 6, 2011, I brought back my 2008 Dodge Avenger to have someone look at the Front Suspension as several Oil Changes visits I have had a noise coming from either the Power Steering Pump and now after a few additional miles it was brought to my attention from Tire Kingdom that some hair-line cracks were visible on the main front Engine / Transmission Mount. Tire Kingdom suggested for me to return to the dealership and see about any Technical Service Bulletin addressing the suspension rumble at low speeds.

Earlier, I left word with the on-line appointment system saying that I needed to talk to service Management about the noise issue and the fact that Brake Fluid Top-Off was missed on a subsequent Oil Change Visit at this same dealership and I had to personally Top-Off the Brake Fluid because the sensor was triggering the Chime Announcement with a RED "BRAKE" message on the dash every time I cornered the vehicle in an tight turn exit ramp from the highway.

When I finally arrived at the dealership, I was asked to see the Lead Service Writer (Andy) and I found him rather insulting as he scanned the entire database for key words from customer compliant of specific Noise coming from the front end. I did point out that I have on numerous occasions have complained that rumble noise had been coming from the front end and they labeled it as AC Compressor / Power Steering. I told Andy that this was an estimate from a customer that could not determine the noise and this was the reason for me coming in the first place.

Andy informed me that there is a $90 Dollar charge to inspect the vehicle and I informed him that in the past I have complained about rambling type of noises coming some where from the front end / engine etc. and furthermore, the so called vehicle inspection after Oil changes seemed to be pencil whipped by someone because "I" had to TOP OFF the BRAKE reservoir myself just recently.

Finally, Andy agreed to have a technician named “Dave” to ride with me and perform a quick road test. I was introduced to “Dave” and we both got in my 2008 Dodge Avenger with Dave at the driver seat. I informed Dave on three occasions that the rumble noise was during low speeds below 35 Miles-Per-Hour. He insisted on taking the vehicle out on East Colonial and speed up the vehicle beyond the speed that I had informed him was causing the noise rumble and not knowing if it was suspension related or a component such as power steering or Air Conditioner compressor. He pointed out a squeal coming from the front brakes and he looked at me asking me if that noise did not bother me? He then accelerated once again and told me that the vehicle was drifting to the right and in my observation it was under hard acceleration. Since it was almost 5:00pm in the afternoon, he highly recommended for me to leave the vehicle so, he can perform a complete inspection on it. When I returned to the service desk and after calling to see if I could arrange for a ride back home, I informed Andy that I would need to schedule the inspection for another time.

On the way back home, I took my 2008 Dodge Avenger back to the Tire Kingdom franchise store that I usually take it for alignments as I presently have an alignment agreement with them. The Manager has had explained in a honest and sincere manner as to why they presently do not have a printer at the Alignment station and thereby, called me over to the alignment computer to show me exactly why the vehicle maybe drifting to the right as “Dave” had observed. The Right Front strut is somewhat forward from the Left Strut assembly and the Driver’s rear wheel assembly has an inclination, all of which are NOT adjustable unless you start changing the factory configuration by using shims and the Tire Kingdom Manager did not recommend. He told me that this is the manner in which the vehicle had been assembled and he can only possibly guess that it was to allow the vehicle to veer off to the right in case the driver falls asleep instead of heading to on-coming traffic on the Left. Make a long story short, I have had a good experience from this dealer with Oil Changes and one execution of a Technical Service Bulletin to replace the Power Steering Pump reservoir due to a part change by Dodge. However, I feel that I have lost confidence in this dealer and somehow been labeled a trouble-some customer, especially by the manner I was treated by Andy and his need to search the Database to somehow call me a lying fool with respect to earlier "Noise" complaint.

Yes correct, I will no longer take my 2008 Dodge Avenger to this DODGE DEALER!

Have a good one!
Carlos

 

so... did you ever fixed ur problem? or found out what it was? either by tire kingdom or the dealership. Did Dave even heard the noise/vibration you complain about?

I got a feeling you got bad tire.

btw, you NOT suppose to top off brake fluid. If it is low, it is either due to leak or you need brakes, or some brake service was done b4. we are only suppose to top off Coolant and Washer solvent during oil change.

 

At this time, there is NO Problem to be FIXED.

Yes, another Tire Kingdom store did look at the Lower Engine Mounts, the main one in the middle at the bottom and Certified Mechanic did observed a crack in the soft material. He told me that he could not determine for sure if this was what was causing the noise so, he recommended for me to go back to the dealer.

No, I disagree with you. As the brake pads / shoes get worn down the need for additional "BRAKE" Fluid need to be added so, the freaking sensor does not drive you crazy. There is no need for any Brake Service at this time as I made sure both Tire Kingdom and the Dealer looked at the reminding material and they gave me a green light. The last mechanic at the Dealer was driving my car aggressively for a noise that is heard at low speeds and below 35 MPH so, no the squeal was just a heavy footed mechanic trying to de-rail the issue and seek a long winded inspection that I find totally unnecessary.

Thanks for your concern but, I was hoping someone would have had a similar situation or better yet a Technical Service Bulletin addressing my issue.