:) Hello there;
I am hoping that I am not a crazy female, well at least as far as my car goes. But the dealership seems to think I am. I have a 2003 Out lander that for several months has had a couple issues. It started out with a simple vibration or shimy around 65-70 mph. I had an alignment and the tires balanced but it still does it, almost like it grabs briefly then releases. It also seems to make this sound that sounds to me like grating metal but again the dealership says no. At one point a man at my work offered to pop the hood and see if he could see anything obvious. The first thing he noticed was the hose from the radiator to the engine (I guess, remember I am female) was sucked in but released as soon as he popped the radiator cap, he says "well heres your problem your radiator is dry? OOPS, SHOCKED ME as I check my fluids routinely and as he soon found my the place where I check it still had plently of fluid in it? To make a long story short< filled the radiator< and that was that> but<< now it seems to along with the other stuff mentioned< has what seem like power drains very briefly<< kind of like bad gas< which maybe it is< but I always buy shells top grade. The vibration feels worse lately and sometimes the entire car including steering wheel shake? Any ideas?
Any help you could give would be awesome,,

well does the shaking happen when u slightly press the brake ? if so it can be ur brakes and Rotors which also explain the grinding noise ... if not , well if its a 4wd try driving it on 2wd on the freeway and such , thats all i can say

You tires may be chopped causing a vibration. Need more info on the noise as to when it happens :at idle, accelerating, braking, certain speed, or turning,

Hesitation - jerky stop/go power drain under load (accelleration)? Could be plug wires.

I'm a little miffed at the radiator hose cavitation. Has it ever overheated? Does it need a radiator flush? How is the air filter / fuel filter?

Check the little things first.

putting in Shells 93 or 94 octane is doing nothing more than costing you extra every time you fill up. The factory recommends regular unleaded. Run some injector cleaner through with your oil change and you will be fine. You may also think of checking your fuel filter. Did you ever run the car out of gas, or had the red light on until you thought you might run out of gas? What is the mileage on your car? Around 30K miles I believe that the fuel filters are due for a change. Ask the mechanics to check your fuel pressure and that may give you an idea of where to go next. Could also be a fuel pump problem cutting in and out.
Good luck and keep us posted. :right: