88 NA Targa-Shakes while driving, Worse with top out. Bad Bushings?

[SupraFreak13]

I bought a 1988 NA 5 Speed Targa this winter, 170,000 miles. It is bone stock, all original as far as I know.

My problem is this shaking going on. At less than 50mph I can feel some shaking or shuddering in the suspension(I think). On really smooth roads it almost goes away, but on any bit of bumpy road it shakes. Above 50mph it smooths out a little, maybe because it shakes so fast it SEEMS to go away.

Now I really got concerned recently. I took my top out on the first nice day, and 1/4 mile down the road I pulled over to check my lugs...It was shaking so hard at 10-30mph that I though my wheel was falling off! At highway speeds it seems to smooth out, and I can't really feel it at 65mph+. But as soon as I hit 10mph all hell breaks loose and the car shakes from side to side like crazy.

Has anyone experienced this before? Have any clue what I could look for to be damaged or worn out? Eventually I plan to replace all the suspension/subframe bushings, but not for a while. I would like to solve this problem as soon as possible. Now, even with the top in, I don't even like driving the car while it shakes it's way down the road, and I don't want it to cause further problems...it's really getting annoying.

thanks for your input

 

[Sawbladz]

Search for retorquing your subframe bolts. A few have stated that they noticed a difference after doing this. Also, you should expect there to be shake with the roof off. This is just the nature of the beast.

 

[Poodles]

Low speed wobble with the top off is normal, but shaking at speed is USUALLY tire related... If it's not tire, it's going to be suspension or drivetrain...

 

[SupraFreak13]

Low speed wobble with the top off is normal, but shaking at speed is USUALLY tire related... If it's not tire, it's going to be suspension or drivetrain...

Yea, I've heard the targas can have some shake, but I can't even describe how violent it is. I may take a video of it. The tires it came with had some uneven wear, and at least one tire has a broken belt in it. SWD Fredester 3 lent me some wheels with good tires, and that helped some but mostly at higher speeds. It's hard to diagnose because I believe I have some drive train issues as well, a bad tranny bearing, bad driveshaft carrier bearing/bushing, or both...

I'll try retorquing the subframe and see if that helps....report back later.