My catera has been in the shop 4 times this month. Struts, thermostat, fan switch, and tune up. But none of the mechanics wanna really work on it. So i had the struts replaced cause when i would drive and hit the smallest bump, even a rock it would make a loud bump, and hit it really rough, but only on the front. I know they should of seen the strut mounts when the did it. has anyone else had this problem? Also it's an automatic, and the shifter shakes really bad when i'm driving. Coult that be the motor mount? Also.... my car is in the shop over the weekend, cause it's over heating. I had the thermostat replaced $400, fan switch and radiatorcleaned $250, the fan is turning on regularly, and still getting hot, what else could it be?
Wow same problems, I took mine to the dealership and they said it was running at an ok temp, it usually runs about 5/8 or 3/4, just where the ohms on the gauge make it run, so it wasn't actually overheating. As far as the struts when you has yours repaced did it ride smooth again? I am reluctant to do it, because I'm not sure if its the struts themselves or some of the mouning hardware, what did you find out? I'm really interested to know.
I had the same problem when i first got the Catera, replaced the struts but the problem remains. I don't think you should replace the struts immediately, have the bushings checked first and the sway bar link. I haven't made the check myself since the replacement of the strut because i was busy fixing other stuff in the car, more important ones. Now that i done with the other major stuff, i'll line up the front suspension next.
Hey Allen Let me know what you find, i'm waiting on the three manual set of books for the car, I just don't know where everything is in the front end to check, but if you find it take some pictures and post them, i'll do the same if I get to it before you.
I spent 700 dollars trying to fix the overheating problem and come to find out it was a short in the computer housing....$40. I kinda thought it was electrical cause none of my lights inside were working, neways just glad it wasnt too much although it was in the shop over a week. and as far as the struts, i had them replaced and it didnt help at all, they said it might be the strut mounts. It just seems to be a car no one really wants to work on so you just have to go down the line with possible solutions. Everyone must really love their cateras to put up with all this, i know i do.
So do you think that the "strut mounts" is like a rubber bushing? I had mine in the dealership and they thought the sound was coming from the bottom area of the whole assembley, like a mount was out? Any ideas?
I have not made a thorough check up of my front suspension yet. But there is one thing i noticed that seems to improve the condition. And that is tire pressure. Get the tires to 32 and see how it goes. In my case, there is a very noticeable improvement when i get my tires to the recommended pressure. Being under or over pressure compounds the problem. Give it a try and see how it goes.
Yeah I did the same and it seemed to help a little, another question for ya, does it feel like you can feel/hear too much road noise through the front end of yours, that is how it feels in mine, along with the clunk of hitting small bumps. It is quite annoying I ant to figure out what it is and fix it
Well, after having to listen to the clank sounds whenever i get over holes, i can't differentiate. And by the way, the weird thing is that over bumps, unless it's a sharp bump, there is no problem at all. It is more heard over holes and sharp bumps like edges of road gutters and the likes. And why is it that driving slow seems to worsen the problem. Once i am ready with some fund, i am going to get the bushings and the ball joints and the sway bar checked and see where it brings me (i'm guessing to some expenses). Anyway, it's not going to be soon, but i'll post whatever i find.
That is so crazy, exactly what you just described to a T is the same as mine, yeah me too as soon as I can i'll see what I can find and I'll post it too, thanks for your help its great
