heavy vibration
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
heavy vibration
Ive been working on this project for nearly 6 years now and took its maiden voyage yesterday around the block. We started to notice a vibration around 5-10mph and it pretty heavy by 25-30mph. Right now I am thinking its the driveshaft, but thought I would see if anyone had any other ideas. The driveshaft is what I got with the pile of parts when I got the car. I am starting to think it is not the right one as it measures about an inch and a half short of what it looks like the factory shaft should be. So that will get replaced, any other areas to look for vibration?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 14
From: Mobile Alabama
If that drive shaft slip yoke is not fully on the output shaft that could be the problem. But as said above, need more info such as - in gear or out of gear, during acceleration or deceleration, during turning or traveling straight.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
Ive been working on this project for nearly 6 years now and took its maiden voyage yesterday around the block. We started to notice a vibration around 5-10mph and it pretty heavy by 25-30mph. Right now I am thinking its the driveshaft, but thought I would see if anyone had any other ideas. The driveshaft is what I got with the pile of parts when I got the car. I am starting to think it is not the right one as it measures about an inch and a half short of what it looks like the factory shaft should be. So that will get replaced, any other areas to look for vibration?
Take it up to about 40 mph then kick it into neutral and see if the vibration instantly goes away. If it does then its engine related.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8,877
Likes: 3,556
From: Fernandina Beach FL
2023 Restomod of the Year finalist
2020 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
Only 6 years??? I feel your pain!!!
here's a way to quickly check if you driveshaft angles are where they should be-
An APP from Tremec (it's FREE) and a smart/I phone is all you need-
App - http://tremec.com/menu.php?m=154
here's a way to quickly check if you driveshaft angles are where they should be-
An APP from Tremec (it's FREE) and a smart/I phone is all you need-
App - http://tremec.com/menu.php?m=154
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
heavy vibration
Sorry...should have given more details. 78 automatic (th350), 383. Front suspension has been rebuilt, motor is new and trans freshly rebuilt. Steering it all new as well. The vibration does not go away in neutral. Tires probably need balanced as well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
If you're using the same tires it has been sitting on for the last 6 years they certainly have large flat spots on them and those flat spots may never come out. Tires only last about 5 years before the rubber degrades too much to safely use them so they must be replaced even if they appear to be new.
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,351
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
heavy vibration
Only 6 years??? I feel your pain!!!
here's a way to quickly check if you driveshaft angles are where they should be-
An APP from Tremec (it's FREE) and a smart/I phone is all you need-
App - http://tremec.com/menu.php?m=154
here's a way to quickly check if you driveshaft angles are where they should be-
An APP from Tremec (it's FREE) and a smart/I phone is all you need-
App - http://tremec.com/menu.php?m=154
Last edited by Vette-kid; Jul 18, 2015 at 09:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
How about half shafts? I imagine they get balanced like a drive shaft, would an out of balance half shaft cause that type of vibration at low speed? Are half shafts difficult to remove? If I can poop them out as easy as the drive shaft I may just run them down to the local driveshaft shop and have them checked.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
I don't think that out of balance half shafts or drive line angles could cause vibration at 10MPH. They're just not turning fast enough. As posted above, I'd check the tires first. Start with the easiest thing.
You save the vibration does not go away in neutral. Does that mean you put it into neutral and let the RPMs drop or maintain the same RPM?What happens when you race the engine with the car out of gear and stationary? Does the vibration occur at the same MPH with the car in 1st or 2nd gear?
You save the vibration does not go away in neutral. Does that mean you put it into neutral and let the RPMs drop or maintain the same RPM?What happens when you race the engine with the car out of gear and stationary? Does the vibration occur at the same MPH with the car in 1st or 2nd gear?
Last edited by jnb5101; Jul 19, 2015 at 12:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
heavy vibration
I let the rpm drop...no change with rpm, just speed. Car idles and revs nicely, i don't think it is engine related. I did try shifting gears manually and maintaining speed. Again no change.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
Thanks...i don't have a "known good" anything right now. Car was a pile of parts when i got it. FWIW, the car has NOT been sitting on the tires all this time. Maybe a year. I am going to have them checked for balance at a tire shop.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,000
Likes: 299
From: New York
An out of angle Drive shaft can cause vibrations at any speed as well as one that is not in balance. A bad U - joint can also cause it as well as a bad transmission mount which would alter the drive angle causing a vibration.
Tires on the rear can cause a vibration but usually poorly balanced tires are put on the rear to cover the fact there poorly balanced LOL ...
Tires on the rear can cause a vibration but usually poorly balanced tires are put on the rear to cover the fact there poorly balanced LOL ...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,193
Likes: 156
From: Navarre FL
heavy vibration
Just thought i would update this. New driveshaft and New tires seem to have fixed it.
Strangely, many driveshaft was almost two inches short compared to the new one. New one leaves 1 inching room for the skip yoke. Also my diff yoke is 1330 whereas the driveshaft is a1310 joint. I had a conversion joint on the shelf so no issue there...but why is my diff seem to be different from what stock should be? Anyway to tell what the rear end is from...do they have casting numbers?
Strangely, many driveshaft was almost two inches short compared to the new one. New one leaves 1 inching room for the skip yoke. Also my diff yoke is 1330 whereas the driveshaft is a1310 joint. I had a conversion joint on the shelf so no issue there...but why is my diff seem to be different from what stock should be? Anyway to tell what the rear end is from...do they have casting numbers?