vibration cure question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,882
Likes: 234
From: Bangkok, Thailand
vibration cure question
Not sure how to ask this but.......
I'm having an intermittent vibration issue at freeway speeds.
Here's what I'm thinking/wondering - is it possible that the batwing bushings are worn to the point where the differential can move enough to throw the half shafts to an odd angle causing the vibration? Those are now the only original bushings left in the back of the car aside from the sway bar bushings. I kind of doubt it with the C-beam in there, but I'm curious if anyone else has run into this.
I'm having an intermittent vibration issue at freeway speeds.
- Just had the tires/wheels rebalanced
- the u-joints are all good/tight
- the driveshaft and half shafts appear to not be bent - best as I could tell without using a dial indicator
Here's what I'm thinking/wondering - is it possible that the batwing bushings are worn to the point where the differential can move enough to throw the half shafts to an odd angle causing the vibration? Those are now the only original bushings left in the back of the car aside from the sway bar bushings. I kind of doubt it with the C-beam in there, but I'm curious if anyone else has run into this.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,836
Likes: 337
From: Database Error Indiana
Sounds to me like a tire problem. Can you rotate the tires and see if the vibration moves. Most every time Ive had a vibration it was a tire or a U joint. Look for red rust around the U joints. Just because they seem tight doesnt mean they are good. My 2 cents.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,882
Likes: 234
From: Bangkok, Thailand
I just had them rotated and balanced - no change at all. Next time I get under there I can ghcek the u-joints more carefully, but they seemed to all be tight and nice.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,882
Likes: 234
From: Bangkok, Thailand
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 101
From: Decatur, Alabama
Tires, you rotated them, you can balance a square brick, but it still wont be round. Rotate tires again in a "x" pattern and see if there is ANY difference, I bet there is, not saying it will be gone but different, that will prove tires. Rule of thumb, if you feel shake in steering wheel its balance, if you feel it and hear it in body, it a trueness (roundness) issue.
(BTW - I was Goodyear Tire Corporate Manager - 5 years)
Also, changing rear gears causing higher driveline speeds will do it too.
(BTW - I was Goodyear Tire Corporate Manager - 5 years)
Also, changing rear gears causing higher driveline speeds will do it too.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ontario
I chased an intermittent balance problem for a whole summer.Sometimes it was in the steering wheel and then sometimes I felt it in the seat then on the floor.Turned out to be worn shocks. I could'nt believe what the car felt like after.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,220
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
I also have to think tire, u-joint, or driveline. Engine don't vibrate (unless the RA wasn't balanced from the get-go). Tire's can have wear patterns and/or out-of-round that balancing won't cure.
Most people say the driveline's not that sensitive to being installed backwards, but one or two posters have said it can cause vibration. That's I'd believe wouldn't be intermittent -- but it could oscillate in/out.
If you feel it in the body and not the steering wheel (with both tire locations) front or rear, I'd be more inclinded to suspect the driveshaft or u-joints. If it was constant and got louder with speed -- wheel bearing.
I suppose a shock could even do it -- if the isolation is SO far gone that it's transmitting road texture depending on how the shock (piston) is setting at any given moment.
Most people say the driveline's not that sensitive to being installed backwards, but one or two posters have said it can cause vibration. That's I'd believe wouldn't be intermittent -- but it could oscillate in/out.
If you feel it in the body and not the steering wheel (with both tire locations) front or rear, I'd be more inclinded to suspect the driveshaft or u-joints. If it was constant and got louder with speed -- wheel bearing.
I suppose a shock could even do it -- if the isolation is SO far gone that it's transmitting road texture depending on how the shock (piston) is setting at any given moment.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,882
Likes: 234
From: Bangkok, Thailand
The wheel bearings are new as well. Tire wear is very normal.
I can easily beleive however that it could be the shocks. I've heard some odd sounds comming from the rear lately and it's also bouncier than when the schocks first went in. I have a set of Z-51 Bilsteins on the way. I also still have the KYB's that were on the car when I got it up front.
Give me till next weekend to get the shocks swapped and I'll let y'all know how it is.
I can easily beleive however that it could be the shocks. I've heard some odd sounds comming from the rear lately and it's also bouncier than when the schocks first went in. I have a set of Z-51 Bilsteins on the way. I also still have the KYB's that were on the car when I got it up front.
Give me till next weekend to get the shocks swapped and I'll let y'all know how it is.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,214
Likes: 101
From: Decatur, Alabama
The wheel bearings are new as well. Tire wear is very normal.
I can easily beleive however that it could be the shocks. I've heard some odd sounds comming from the rear lately and it's also bouncier than when the schocks first went in. I have a set of Z-51 Bilsteins on the way. I also still have the KYB's that were on the car when I got it up front.
Give me till next weekend to get the shocks swapped and I'll let y'all know how it is.
I can easily beleive however that it could be the shocks. I've heard some odd sounds comming from the rear lately and it's also bouncier than when the schocks first went in. I have a set of Z-51 Bilsteins on the way. I also still have the KYB's that were on the car when I got it up front.
Give me till next weekend to get the shocks swapped and I'll let y'all know how it is.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
From: Delray beach FL
C4 are very sensitive when it comes to shocks. Good ones make a hell of difference in car's various vibrations.
When I changed for 4 new F1GSD3, Rotating 180 the front right solved my intermitent vibrations problems at cruise.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 740
Likes: 2
From: San Antonio TX
I had a vibration at 4,000 rpm it was my exhaust pipes hitting the dana 44, i guess when the *** off the car would sink at wot it would get close enough to cause that annoying vibration. Took me awhile to find it i changed u-joints had the tires balanced it felt like my motor was out of balance.