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T O P I C     R E V I E W
chasmccart	I purchased a 2001 Plymouth in April with 375 miles on it and no warranty. I have only driven the car locally until last Saturday. I drove the first time on the highway to the Viper Show in NH. At about 65 mph the car starts shaking and at 70 it is shaking so violently that you would swear it is going to come apart. The shaking appears to be back and forth rather than just a bad vibration. The windshield posts appear to move back and forth about 2 inches. There is no change if I apply the brakes. Only if I slow down. Has any one had a problem like this.
Black Tie 161	bad wheel alignment? Unevenly worn tires? Bad ball joints? was the ball joint recall done? Are your lug nuts secured at 100ft/ lbs all around? Some things to start with....but a 2001 with so little miles, I am guessing the tires have flat spots that will run out with driving. The runflats are prone to flat spot if they sit too long in 1 place.
Marty Usher	With such low mileage the car has probably been sitting a long time and may have flat spots on the tires. I would at least check the balance and roundness of the wheels/tires.
Howard	You can still get an extended warranty. Go to your local Chrysler dealer and ask for a quote. Also shop around. Prices are all over the board.
dbickel	quote: Originally posted by chasmccart: At about 65 mph the car starts shaking and at 70 it is shaking so violently that you would swear it is going to come apart. Welcome to Prowler ownership.
tom112	Can you really get an extended warranty on a 2001 with 6000 miles even if you are the second owner ? I am not familiar with this. If so, what would be the appox. cost ? thanks tom
GRROWL	quote: Originally posted by Howard: You can still get an extended warranty. The extended warrantee doesn't cover wheels, which would be my guess for this problem. Based on reports on this board, it seems that 3 out of 4 are bent or out-of-round right out of the box. There's also a harmonic vibration to the car, but I find it worst from 25-35 MPH (although the dealer tells me they measured it up to 55, it's just less apparent at this higher frequency). FWIW -GRROWL
Marty Usher	My peeling wheels were replaced under extended warranty.
GRROWL	quote: Originally posted by Marty Usher: My peeling wheels were replaced under extended warranty. If it was a Chrysler warrantee, you're lucky (or know somebody???) because "aluminum and alloy wheels" are specifically excluded. It's certainly something to check with the dealer BEFORE buying the extended warrantee - H**L, Chrysler stopped covering peeling wheels under the ORIGINAL warrantee. -GRROWL
Marty Usher	Well - I just checked and all four wheels were replaced under the factory warranty when I had only 11,000 on the car but they replaced the two front wheels again well after I passed the 36,000 mile mark. Just lucky I guess considering what others have experienced.
Howard	Wheels and center caps are not covered by the extended warranty. Tom, you can still get an extended warranty. Just call your Chrysler dealer.
Marty Usher	Regardless of the warranty posts, if your car shakes as wildly as you posted, have the wheels/tires checked and if that is not the problem start looking at the suspension. These cars ride "rough" by modern sedan standards but not that bad.
GRROWL	quote: Originally posted by Howard: center caps are not covered by the extended warranty. That's not entirely clear - "wheel covers" are excluded, but I would argue that the centercaps are not "wheel covers" since they don't cover the wheel (they do cover the "hub", and "hubcaps" are not excluded). Give it a try. -GRROWL
chasmccart	I spoke to the dealer (used car) that I purchased the car from. He said the last time he drove it was last December to the DC dealer to have the wheels replaced. He said the car ran fine with no vibration well over 70 mph. The car was sent back to him on a flatbed because it was snowing. He stored it a garage until I purchased it in April. There are stick on weights on the rims now. I am going to take the wheels off, take them to a local shop that does hot rod tires and have them balanced.
BradleyG	quote: tom112 Can you really get an extended warranty on a 2001 with 6000 miles even if you are the second owner ? I am not familiar with this. If so, what would be the appox. cost ? Tom, I bought an extended warranty on my 2001 with 8400 miles on it. It had been out of warranty for a year, so had to pay a premium (about $2000). I got it from the dealer in Wisconsin (do a search for extended warranty to find him)for $50.00 over cost. A lot of money, but it will be well spent over the next 50,000 miles or 5 years.
Black Tie 161	quote: Originally posted by chasmccart: I spoke to the dealer (used car) that I purchased the car from. He said the last time he drove it was last December to the DC dealer to have the wheels replaced. He said the car ran fine with no vibration well over 70 mph. The car was sent back to him on a flatbed because it was snowing. He stored it a garage until I purchased it in April. There are stick on weights on the rims now. I am going to take the wheels off, take them to a local shop that does hot rod tires and have them balanced. It sounds like the car was never driven after the wheels were replaced? Then best 3 guesses... 1- Tires are flat spotted from sitting 2- New wheels may be bent or out of round. 3- some wheel weights were put on wrong/ Here's hoping for #1 or 3 Good luck!
tom112	Thanks for the info. on extended warranty. I purchased one for 50,000 miles or three years with a $100 ded, for $940. Not cheap but with the parts prices as they are, it will probably pay for itself. tom
Marty Usher	Be aware the time and mileage are from the original service date not from the date or mileage at the time of purchase of the extended warranty.
tom112	Marty, You are correct. I just quoted the time I have left. thanks tom
catfish	tire balance or bad tires. ------------------
MDProwler	quote: Originally posted by jan bruggeman: tire balance or bad tires. That's my guess also. I've been over 90 many times with no problems at all.
chasmccart	Made an apointment to have the wheels balanced next week. I know the shop and they have worked on other vehicles of mine in the past. They did a Prowler last week for a local dealer. Thanks for your help.
chasmccart	Had the tires balanced this morning. All four wheels were not balanced when the rims were replaced last December at the 5 STAR DEALER. The genius must have thought because the rims had weights on them when he took them out of the box the factory must have prebalanced them for him. In case any local Prowler owners need wheel work done I recommend Plymouth Tire & Auto Service in Plymouth, MA. They balanced the tires ($60 for all four). He also said the wheels have a slight hop to them. He said it could have been from sitting in the garage for so long. This car was a former "Garage Queen". I took it up to 85 on the way home and it was smooth.
Marty Usher	Glad to hear it worked out for you.
tangled up in BLUE	I have had Kats sit as long a 2 years and the flat spots were not that bad....