Vibrations from shifter
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 570
Likes: 22
Vibrations from shifter
I have a 69 427 with the 4 speed manual M21 transmission. When I hit speeds above 70mph I get a lot of vibrations from the shifter. I’ve read several posts that list different causes including linkage, drive shaft, etc. I’ve had the drive shaft balanced and that didn’t resolve it. Anyone else have this issue and have any recommendations?
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 110
Likes: 15
From: Oregon, Ohio
As long as you are certain it's not the drive shaft (I had a shop swear they balanced mine, they didn't, took it elsewhere and it resolved the issue), it's got to be elsewhere in the drive train. Most likely the harmonic balancer. Did this start recently, what did you change, if anything?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
I have a 69 427 with the 4 speed manual M21 transmission. When I hit speeds above 70mph I get a lot of vibrations from the shifter. I’ve read several posts that list different causes including linkage, drive shaft, etc. I’ve had the drive shaft balanced and that didn’t resolve it. Anyone else have this issue and have any recommendations?
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 44
Likes: 9
From: Hebron KY
Have you gotten under the car and attempted to give the drive shaft a good shake? Typically, if the shifter starts vibrating, I suspect u joints first. Especially if the vibration is speed dependent and not RPM dependent. Chock the wheels, put the car in neutral, grab the drive shaft and check for movement. Also check for any evidence for witness marks where weights that should be attached to the drive shaft are no longer there.
That's the easy stuff. After that,
That's the easy stuff. After that,
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,259
Likes: 9,401
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
check motor mounts and transmissoin mounts for cracks and loose bolts
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 10,956
Likes: 409
From: California
Bolded,,, what he is getting at is,,,, is it a Centerforce clutch?
if so... may be your problem... thoes weights NEVER self center.. and do cause vibration.
Also, if you do not have proper drive shaft angle, a "Z" angle it will vibrate as well.. do you have stock suspension? ie, ride hight?
are all transmission mounts good, and tight? the rear end snubber, is it also in good condition, and tight?
if so... may be your problem... thoes weights NEVER self center.. and do cause vibration.
Also, if you do not have proper drive shaft angle, a "Z" angle it will vibrate as well.. do you have stock suspension? ie, ride hight?
are all transmission mounts good, and tight? the rear end snubber, is it also in good condition, and tight?
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 231
Likes: 39
From: Imboden Arkansas
My vibration turned out to be a half shaft u-joint. The joint was tight, had no play in it. But, when the half shaft was taken off the car, a tight spot could be felt when the moving the u-joint. Turned out to be wear between the bearing and the cross member. New u-joint repair kit fixed the vibration.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
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
Pro
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 708
Likes: 150
From: Minnesota
I had this issue in the past with a ‘67 Camaro also a Muncie. The car was run at the strip a few times and vibration as you describe. Ended up being a sprin/tweaked input yoke on the rearend. The problem could be virtually anywhere in the drivetrain. Replaced the front yoke and problem solved.
Last edited by JoeMinnesota; Feb 10, 2019 at 05:20 PM.
