High Speed vibration in drivetrain
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 876
Likes: 1
From: Same as our leaders Out of my mind
High Speed vibration in drivetrain
I have a high speed drivetrain vibration that is most noticeable under hard acceleration. My motor has less than 200 miles on it. I have a Richmond 5 speed transmission in a 1979 L-82. I have installed new pilot bearing in the motor and installed a new tail housing and bushing on the trans. The driveshaft has been balanced. The problem was more noticeable before all of this work was done, the stick used to chatter and vibrate pretty good and make a bunch of noise. Now it is quiet, but not as smooth as I was hoping for.
Does the higher compression from my new 383 stroker contribute to this?
Is my old Richmond 5 speed loose internally somewhere?
Or am I just expecting too much from a 27 year old muscle car?
Does the higher compression from my new 383 stroker contribute to this?
Is my old Richmond 5 speed loose internally somewhere?
Or am I just expecting too much from a 27 year old muscle car?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 224
From: Pawleys Island, SC
I have a high speed vibration also at about 70+ that's much more noticable now that I've replaced all my suspension bushings (with poly). I have a good amount of play at the yoke/tailshaft bushing so I'm replacing the bushing next weekend hoping that's the issue. If that's not it, I'll try something else. I don't think you're expecting too much. I'm expecting a smooth highway ride. Thought about something as simple as rebalancing tires?
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
So you say when you push the clutch in and coast the vibration goes away?Your drivetrain is still going the same speed.Is there a differance if you just kick it in neutral verses pushing the clutch in?
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 16,100
Likes: 17
Just went thru this on my 78...very visible in the shifter...I replaced all the spring washers and spring clips on my M20 linkage...now very smooth..but...when backing off from 75-80, I get a resonance from the exhaust...
Can you give a more detailed description ? Vibration in these Vettes can be simple or complex...so a better description will help...also,how old is your Richmond?
Rich
Can you give a more detailed description ? Vibration in these Vettes can be simple or complex...so a better description will help...also,how old is your Richmond?
Rich
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 514
Likes: 44
From: Toronto Ont
I have a similar issue and I haven't gotten around to fixing it but a few things that I am considering that I have read on past posts are
1) type of clutch - some have complained of the dual friction clutches with the weights in the diaphrams as a possible cause.
2) play in the yoke in the rearend
3) transmision mount bushing is worn on my car ( 4 -speed)
1) type of clutch - some have complained of the dual friction clutches with the weights in the diaphrams as a possible cause.
2) play in the yoke in the rearend
3) transmision mount bushing is worn on my car ( 4 -speed)
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,342
Likes: 7
From: Connecticut
Originally Posted by dwncchs
So you say when you push the clutch in and coast the vibration goes away?
Tune up, rebuilt Distributor, carb........ Im vibration free @ 100 + MPH
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Livermore California
Originally Posted by dwncchs
Is there a differance if you just kick it in neutral verses pushing the clutch in?
Neutral w/o clutch- engine and trans input shaft connected;
rear end and trans output shaft linked
Neutral w/ cutch- engine alone, input shaft alone, output linked to rear wheels
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by Richieboy
Clutch only- clutch to wheels linked; engine not connected to trans
Neutral w/o clutch- engine and trans input shaft connected;
rear end and trans output shaft linked
Neutral w/ cutch- engine alone, input shaft alone, output linked to rear wheels
Neutral w/o clutch- engine and trans input shaft connected;
rear end and trans output shaft linked
Neutral w/ cutch- engine alone, input shaft alone, output linked to rear wheels
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 224
From: Pawleys Island, SC
Well, I replaced the tailshaft bushing in my quest to eliminate my high speed vibration problem. No difference. Guess my next move will be to replace both U-joints and have the driveshaft balanced unless someone has another suggestion. The front U-joint felt somewhat stiff when I tried to move it while the driveshaft was disconnected for the tailshaft bushing replacement.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
I went thru the same crap that everyone mentioned here. I changed the length of the driveshaft twice. Through it all I had a high speed vibration that finally went away when I changed the U-Joints to a high quality brand. The drive shaft was balanced 4 times and never showed a problem on the bench. Only in the car. I never would have suspected them if I had not seen it for myself.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by s car go
I went thru the same crap that everyone mentioned here. I changed the length of the driveshaft twice. Through it all I had a high speed vibration that finally went away when I changed the U-Joints to a high quality brand. The drive shaft was balanced 4 times and never showed a problem on the bench. Only in the car. I never would have suspected them if I had not seen it for myself.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 72
Likes: 0
From: Houston Texas
I did not change them myself. It was done during the last time it was balanced at Northwest Driveshaft in Houston. I dont remember the brand - he said it was a high quality brand - they dont use junk - probably a spicer. I know the one at the transmission end is a spicer because it is a 1330-1350 crossover type. But that one was not the problem. I never would have believed that the joints could be the culprit. I was talking to the shop that makes the driveshafts for "Classic Chevy 5 Speed" product. When I discussed what kind of problem I was having he immediately knew the joint was the problem. He said he sees it all the time. I was not sure I believed him but I had no other suggestions to try. So I changed them and the problem was gone. I suspected all sorts of other things related to the tranny, differential, half shafts, position of the moon, state of the economy etc.
He was right - never would have guessed it.
He was right - never would have guessed it.
Last edited by s car go; Aug 21, 2006 at 10:52 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by s car go
I did not change them myself. It was done during the last time it was balanced at Northwest Driveshaft in Houston. I dont remember the brand - he said it was a high quality brand - they dont use junk - probably a spicer. I know the one at the transmission end is a spicer because it is a 1330-1350 crossover type. But that one was not the problem. I never would have believed that the joints could be the culprit. I was talking to the shop that makes the driveshafts for "Classic Chevy 5 Speed" product. When I discussed what kind of problem I was having he immediately knew the joint was the problem. He said he sees it all the time. I was not sure I believed him but I had no other suggestions to try. So I changed them and the problem was gone. I suspected all sorts of other things related to the tranny, differential, half shafts, position of the moon, state of the economy etc.
He was right - never would have guessed it.
He was right - never would have guessed it.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
Interesting solution, I've been trying to solve the same exact thing with mine and have replaced the U-joints on the drive shaft with Spicers a while ago. Balancing mine made a huge difference but it's still there at 70 mph when applying throttle or at light cruise. I've rebuilt the rear bearings, half shaft joints, new tranny tail shaft AND different motor/flywheel/clutch/pilot, and it's still there.
Maybe I should try a differnt U-Joint on the drive shaft. (or change the damn headlight bulbs
)
Maybe I should try a differnt U-Joint on the drive shaft. (or change the damn headlight bulbs
)