Shudder/Shake
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: fort worth Texas
Shudder/Shake
Ijust wanted to say Hi first since I'm a sort of new member. Anyway,I've had my 92 convertible for about eight years,it;s beautiful with only 53k miles so far.After I purchased it I had a stumbling problem in sixth gear at freeway speeds,turned out to be the dreaded opti,I replaced that and it ran fantasic after that. About 18 months ago I put it in the garage on rollerstands so I can fit all my other stuff in there. I decided to get it out and drive it,when at 50 to 80 it shakes hard in the cowl area and the steering wheel vibrates quite a bit. It didn;t have much gas in it when I stored it but I did fill it up last night and that didn;t help. My question,did I flat spot the tires,just a bad tank of gas,or could the opti somehow be bad again! I know shame on me for no fuel stablizer!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
If it was a misfire caused by stale fuel plugging an injector or something similar it should be present whenever the engine is running, if the tires have flat spots that would only show up when rolling. Try running it up to 80 then put the transmission in neutral and coast down to 50 if the vibration is evident it is probably the tires.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
So, you didn't drive it for 18 months? I can't stay out of mine for 18 minutes.
If it's been in storage that long and not moved, your tires are shot i guarantee it. As far as the fuel, did you start the and run the car from time to time during this time? The fuel thing will most likely straighten itself out after you run a tank or two through the system, IMO. What I would be concerned about are the soft seals and gaskets.
Change the tires and drive it a bit. Keep on the look out for leaks and check the hoses as all this stuff dries out when the car isn't run. And for goodness sakes, enjoy the car. A Corvette in the garage is about 1/1000th as much fun as a Corvette on the road!
If it's been in storage that long and not moved, your tires are shot i guarantee it. As far as the fuel, did you start the and run the car from time to time during this time? The fuel thing will most likely straighten itself out after you run a tank or two through the system, IMO. What I would be concerned about are the soft seals and gaskets. Change the tires and drive it a bit. Keep on the look out for leaks and check the hoses as all this stuff dries out when the car isn't run. And for goodness sakes, enjoy the car. A Corvette in the garage is about 1/1000th as much fun as a Corvette on the road!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
shudder and shake
usually that happens when your tires are under inflated or you have a tire beginning to come apart, or a wheel that is eliptical on the inner rim surface.
Sometimes your steering rack seals deteriorate and this happens.
get your tires road force balanced, and they will pinpoint the problem.
Don't take it up to 80 to see if you can tempt fate. Take it to a competent tire shop and get their opinion.
It is obviously in the front, so just concentrate on the front tires first.
Recap:
1. make sure the tire pressure is correct.
2. jack up the front and open the hood, rotate the tires, and inspect the inside and outside tire wall for cracks and tread separation.
3. road force balance the tires.
4. determine that your steering rack is good.
.
Sometimes your steering rack seals deteriorate and this happens.
get your tires road force balanced, and they will pinpoint the problem.
Don't take it up to 80 to see if you can tempt fate. Take it to a competent tire shop and get their opinion.
It is obviously in the front, so just concentrate on the front tires first.
Recap:
1. make sure the tire pressure is correct.
2. jack up the front and open the hood, rotate the tires, and inspect the inside and outside tire wall for cracks and tread separation.
3. road force balance the tires.
4. determine that your steering rack is good.
.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: DFW TX
Considering it is at speed and not RPMs through the gears.
It is more than likely tires. If you had the cars weight on them for 18 months... they are ruined. The steel now has a permanent flat spot. This is why you see people put their car up on stands during extended storage.
It is more than likely tires. If you had the cars weight on them for 18 months... they are ruined. The steel now has a permanent flat spot. This is why you see people put their car up on stands during extended storage.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: fort worth Texas
Shudder/shake
I did inflate all the tires to GM spec off the door,32psi I think. The car was on a battery tender the whole time. Guess it could be the tires since they are old probably around 5 to 7 years but like I said I hardly drive it.Thanks for the input anyway.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,087
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
If the tires are that old and sat for that long, you will need to replace them.
