Rear end vibration
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 108
Likes: 90
From: Central PA
Rear end vibration
My '72 has a small vibration in the back end. I feel the vibration in the seat once I get up to about 55 mph. I don't have any vibrations in any other gears at any other RPM's. Vibration seemed consistent up through about 65 mph. I haven't pushed beyond that. Any suggestions on things to look for? My friend has a wheel balancer so I was going to have him check the wheels but beyond that I sure could use some help. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
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I think checking the wheels/tires first is a good place to start. I had a similar vibration in my 77. turned out a belt in the right rear tire had let go. It got progressively worse. then I seen the bulge in the tire. New rear tires and no vibration.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,411
Likes: 1,821
From: Apple Valley, MN
Agree with checking wheels/tires first. If fronts and rears are the same size, simply rotate them and see what you have.
If the vibration is still there, you could have:
1) a u-joint failing
2) a rear wheel bearing failing
3) the balance weight of the prop shaft fell off
4) a differential pinion bearing failing
5) a more serious issue with the differential
If the vibration is still there, you could have:
1) a u-joint failing
2) a rear wheel bearing failing
3) the balance weight of the prop shaft fell off
4) a differential pinion bearing failing
5) a more serious issue with the differential
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
Agree with checking wheels/tires first. If fronts and rears are the same size, simply rotate them and see what you have.
If the vibration is still there, you could have:
1) a u-joint failing
2) a rear wheel bearing failing
3) the balance weight of the prop shaft fell off
4) a differential pinion bearing failing
5) a more serious issue with the differential
If the vibration is still there, you could have:
1) a u-joint failing
2) a rear wheel bearing failing
3) the balance weight of the prop shaft fell off
4) a differential pinion bearing failing
5) a more serious issue with the differential
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,949
Likes: 4,507
From: Virginia
Here's a recent cautionary tale about checking your U-Joints.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...n-on-68-a.html
Hopefully a wheel balance fixes it, but do take a look anyway!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...n-on-68-a.html
Hopefully a wheel balance fixes it, but do take a look anyway!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If your tires have some age on them (more than 7 years), and you have properly eliminated other possibilities, the tires would be the likely cause. Also, tire balance is a big issue these days, because tire stores won't run spin balancers more than 40 mph or so; and many don't calibrate their balancers well or at all.
