Shimmy and vibration while accelerating / under load
20

Asked by John Apr 29, 2023 at 03:22 PM about the 2000 Buick LeSabre Limited Sedan FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My 2000 Buick LeSabre vibrates / shimmy's while under load. I have been
chasing this for some time. I have read extensively on the problem and
spend much cash trying to resolve. So far the following has been
accomplished. New tires / balance, tune up new plugs / wires, all 4 motor /
transmission mounts replaced, both CV drive axels replaced. Struts have
less than 5K miles. Lower control arms have been inspected satisfactory.
Inner and outer tie rods inspected satisfactory, front and rear brakes
overhauled. Transmission 2x Shift Solenoids, EPC Solenoid, TCC (Lockup)
Solenoid, Manifold Pressure Switch replaced. Transmission filer and 6 quts
of fluid replaced. After all this, it is as if none of this maintenance
accomplished a single thing. The engine is tight, no misfired or codes. It still
vibrates / shimmy's. At this point, I'm about to cut this thing up into little
pieces. I believe it has to be the transmission at this point. Suggestions are
welcomed as I am at wits end.

5 Answers
38,925

beatupchevy answered about a year ago

Sounds like the clutches in the tranny are shot and it needs a rebuild . You've dumped all that money into a 23 year old car and now you either keep fishing or cut bait .

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20

John answered about a year ago

I do all the work myself, additionally and at the same time I teach others to do this kind of maintenance, so it's not that bad. I own several late 90's / early 2000's GM vehicles with the 3800 / 4T65E. Probably the best vehicles GM has ever made in the modern era. My limitations are with transmission diagnosis outside the capabilities of my OBD. So, off to an expert later this week. I love driving 20+ yo BOP's.

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155,245

james answered about a year ago

These transmissions are notorious for losing overdrive and TCC lock in. There's a shaft inside the transmission that wasn't made correctly and the splines break off. Usually the only symptoms are no overdrive or TCC lock in and sometimes a whine when the transmission is supposed to shift into overdrive. You could also be looking at a bad valve body. I had an 02 Impala that would jerk and bang and that's what it was. Luckily it was still under warranty. Hope that helps! Jim

1 people found this helpful.
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20

John answered 11 months ago

Thank you James for this information, I am gearing up to replace the transmission. During disassembly, it was identified that the output shaft (where the CV axle meets the transmission) on the left side of the transmission has significant play. I'm thinking this is my problem. I'll soon know.

2 people found this helpful.
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