Vibration problem:
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 677
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From: Davie FL
Vibration problem:
Been reading some prior posts and trying to pin my wheel vibration problem down. So i'm asking for the gurus of the forum to help.
All new front suspention,rebuilt rear end,tires have less than 2000 miles,car has been professionally aligned (to spec),wheels were just balanced ( with the Hunter machine).
Car is fine until you get up to around the 60 mph mark and the vibration starts.
What is a good method to track a problem like this down?? thanks Vic Z.
banghead:
All new front suspention,rebuilt rear end,tires have less than 2000 miles,car has been professionally aligned (to spec),wheels were just balanced ( with the Hunter machine).
Car is fine until you get up to around the 60 mph mark and the vibration starts.
What is a good method to track a problem like this down?? thanks Vic Z.
banghead:
POSSE ZR-1 Driver
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,980
Likes: 138
From: Groton CT
As silly as this sounds, it has worked for many of us.....
Unbolt the driveshaft from either the transmission yoke or rear end yoke and turn it 180*. Tighten everything back up and see if it fixes the vibration.
You can try the same with the half-shafts.
Unbolt the driveshaft from either the transmission yoke or rear end yoke and turn it 180*. Tighten everything back up and see if it fixes the vibration.
You can try the same with the half-shafts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
And while your down there, shake the 3 shafts hard at each end to make sure all the joints are ok and look at the castings they ride in to make sure they are seated properly (centered).
Shake the transmission tailshaft yoke to make sure the bushing it rides in isn't worn.
With the wheels in the air, rock them from top to bottom to check for bearing problems, then you might as well rock the rear wheels from front to back to check for control arm bushings - even though that won't cause a vibration.
Check for excessive ring and pinion play, especially if the vibration increases goung uphill and decreases going down hill at the same speed.
If none of that finds a vibration that only occurs at 60mph, have you put the trans in neutral when the vibration starts to see if it stops? Last resort, put an angle finder on the trans tailshaft and the diff pinion yoke, to verify that both angles are the same and that both are between 1° and 3°. If they are not the same, shim one to match the other.
Shake the transmission tailshaft yoke to make sure the bushing it rides in isn't worn.
With the wheels in the air, rock them from top to bottom to check for bearing problems, then you might as well rock the rear wheels from front to back to check for control arm bushings - even though that won't cause a vibration.
Check for excessive ring and pinion play, especially if the vibration increases goung uphill and decreases going down hill at the same speed.
If none of that finds a vibration that only occurs at 60mph, have you put the trans in neutral when the vibration starts to see if it stops? Last resort, put an angle finder on the trans tailshaft and the diff pinion yoke, to verify that both angles are the same and that both are between 1° and 3°. If they are not the same, shim one to match the other.
Last edited by magicv8; Apr 26, 2008 at 11:16 AM. Reason: °
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 13
From: ar
First determine if the vibration is coming from the engine or the rolling assembly by putting it in neutral and let the engine idle down while the vibration is happening.
Have you changed anything lately or has it always vibrated?
Have you changed anything lately or has it always vibrated?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Davie FL
that was a good idea and I just tried it. Got it up to around 60-65 and put it in neutral for a short distance and still have a vibration.
I think I'm going to take the driveshaft and both half shafts off and get them balanced. Unless any other possbile suggestions come up.
I think I'm going to take the driveshaft and both half shafts off and get them balanced. Unless any other possbile suggestions come up.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,246
Likes: 21
From: Going too fast over the hill. Iowa
that was a good idea and I just tried it. Got it up to around 60-65 and put it in neutral for a short distance and still have a vibration.
I think I'm going to take the driveshaft and both half shafts off and get them balanced. Unless any other possbile suggestions come up.
I think I'm going to take the driveshaft and both half shafts off and get them balanced. Unless any other possbile suggestions come up.
In my car's case it was the ujoints five out of six times. One out of six it was the driveshaft angles not being equal.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,818
Likes: 13
From: ar
Like Magic said it is more than likely drive line angles or u joints. I would not waste my time balancing the half shafts (they are turning 3 to 4 times slower than the driveshaft, depending what rear gear you are running).
You did not mention if you changed any major componets before the vibration started.
You did not mention if you changed any major componets before the vibration started.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 101
From: Riverhead New York
Verle raises a good place to start. Try rotating the tires front to rear. If they are Radials keep them on the same side of the car. Bias ply can be staggered. Also, as someone has already opined, rotate the drive shaft 180 Degrees in the rear Universal Carrier. I suspect a rear tire balance issue. It seems today's Techs just can't get it right the first time. Please report back. Al W.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 8,913
Likes: 283
Check the pinion support (snubber) bushing. The poly bushings are the incorrect size, and can cause vibrations due to the incorrect pinion angle is causes. A worn or rotted rubber bushing can cause this problem as well.
Did all the things you did, and are about to do, until it was suggested to me to check this bushing. Was rotted, new one solved the vibration.
Get the shafts ballanced, and have the U-joints checked by a pro and be done with it.
Mark
Did all the things you did, and are about to do, until it was suggested to me to check this bushing. Was rotted, new one solved the vibration.
Get the shafts ballanced, and have the U-joints checked by a pro and be done with it.
Mark
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 3,078
Likes: 101
From: Riverhead New York
Check the pinion support (snubber) bushing. The poly bushings are the incorrect size, and can cause vibrations due to the incorrect pinion angle is causes. A worn or rotted rubber bushing can cause this problem as well.
Did all the things you did, and are about to do, until it was suggested to me to check this bushing. Was rotted, new one solved the vibration.
Get the shafts ballanced, and have the U-joints checked by a pro and be done with it.
Mark
Did all the things you did, and are about to do, until it was suggested to me to check this bushing. Was rotted, new one solved the vibration.
Get the shafts ballanced, and have the U-joints checked by a pro and be done with it.
Mark
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 677
Likes: 0
From: Davie FL
thanks for the responses gentlemen.I spent close to 2 hours in the shop watching this guy use the Hunter machine. He was determined as I 'am to get this problem solved. to answer one question I also had a little vibration problem but it just seemed getting worse and worse.
One thing he did notice in the shop was there was just a very little play in the wheels and he mentioned that my Appliance wheels should have a center ring (between the wheel and the hub) so that it sits firmly on the hub. That is the first time I heard of that.
I'm going to check the weights on the drivetrain next and probably change these year old u joints to take that possibly out.
I'll get it sooner or later. VicZ.
One thing he did notice in the shop was there was just a very little play in the wheels and he mentioned that my Appliance wheels should have a center ring (between the wheel and the hub) so that it sits firmly on the hub. That is the first time I heard of that.
I'm going to check the weights on the drivetrain next and probably change these year old u joints to take that possibly out.
I'll get it sooner or later. VicZ.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 677
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From: Davie FL
Just found a possible solution to the problem. I was told I need to install a HUB CENTERING RING on my Appliance wheels or I'm sure to get a vibration regardless of balance or alignment.
Any of you guys have these rings installed and have the hub bore and wheel bore size?? thanks !
Any of you guys have these rings installed and have the hub bore and wheel bore size?? thanks !
