C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Vibration Problem

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Old Nov 30, 2011 | 03:06 PM
  #1  
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Default Vibration Problem

I have a '90 Yellow Roadster Indy Festival Car, automatic, 96K miles, Festival Car.

I have had a vibration problem for a while now.

Between 60 - 70 MPH, depending on the road, I get a noticable shimmy in the steering wheel.

Monday I had the wheels (ZR1 Chrome aftermarket) rebalanced. Still have the problem.

Today I had an alignment (yes I know alignment does not effect shimmy) and the suspension parts and wheel bearings checked at a very reliable shop - all checked out fine.

I have four year old Yokohamas all the way around.

I have had this problem for a number of years (I think) but it is really starting to bug me. Sometimes it runs as true and smooth as you can want, other times, especially on grooved pavement, it drives me crazy.

I had a '78 Pace Car that did not do this (completely rebuilt suspension) and my '07 Coupe does not do this.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Tom
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Old Nov 30, 2011 | 03:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Tom's '07 Monty
I have a '90 Yellow Roadster Indy Festival Car, automatic, 96K miles, Festival Car.

I have had a vibration problem for a while now.

Between 60 - 70 MPH, depending on the road, I get a noticable shimmy in the steering wheel.

Monday I had the wheels (ZR1 Chrome aftermarket) rebalanced. Still have the problem.

Today I had an alignment (yes I know alignment does not effect shimmy) and the suspension parts and wheel bearings checked at a very reliable shop - all checked out fine.

I have four year old Yokohamas all the way around.

I have had this problem for a number of years (I think) but it is really starting to bug me. Sometimes it runs as true and smooth as you can want, other times, especially on grooved pavement, it drives me crazy.

I had a '78 Pace Car that did not do this (completely rebuilt suspension) and my '07 Coupe does not do this.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Tom
Worn out u joints (4 joints total) on the half shafts will do exactly what your describing - check'em - with the car "off" put the car "park" or "1st" (auto/manual) and physically shove/rock the car back and forth and check for slop in the U joints as they load up.

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Old Nov 30, 2011 | 05:17 PM
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Look for any sign of rust at the u-joint cross. A sure sign it's shot.
A Hunter GSP 9700 road force balancer will rule out a tire problem. A straight balance will not show a tire stiffness problem.
To find one: http://www.gsp9700.com/index.htm
It can check wheel out of round; pull; stiffness ect.

A GSP9700 has made a difference for me.

JS
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Old Nov 30, 2011 | 05:53 PM
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Rotate tires front to rear and see if it changes.
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Old Nov 30, 2011 | 07:00 PM
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Front hub ***.Wore out front susp. transmission mount .Pick a starting point and just start checking components .Good luck
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Old Nov 30, 2011 | 08:20 PM
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Thanks for the advice...tires were rotated. tires were balanced with the hunter balancing machine. I will check out the drive train and let you know results.

Tom




Originally Posted by Tom's '07 Monty
I have a '90 Yellow Roadster Indy Festival Car, automatic, 96K miles, Festival Car.

I have had a vibration problem for a while now.

Between 60 - 70 MPH, depending on the road, I get a noticable shimmy in the steering wheel.

Monday I had the wheels (ZR1 Chrome aftermarket) rebalanced. Still have the problem.

Today I had an alignment (yes I know alignment does not effect shimmy) and the suspension parts and wheel bearings checked at a very reliable shop - all checked out fine.

I have four year old Yokohamas all the way around.

I have had this problem for a number of years (I think) but it is really starting to bug me. Sometimes it runs as true and smooth as you can want, other times, especially on grooved pavement, it drives me crazy.

I had a '78 Pace Car that did not do this (completely rebuilt suspension) and my '07 Coupe does not do this.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Tom
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2011 | 11:48 AM
  #7  
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From: Metairie Louisiana
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Originally Posted by Tom's '07 Monty
Thanks for the advice...tires were rotated. tires were balanced with the hunter balancing machine. I will check out the drive train and let you know results.

Tom
It seems like every thread I read about front steering wheel vibration problems are running after market rims. Usually between 50-70 and more noticeable on certain roads.

Hunter road force balance several times didnt help much here either. Did the problem start after the rims were installed? What brand are they? I wish I still had my old rims to put back on to check. I even bought an extra after market rim to swap around. No luck. My next step is to start swapping out suspension parts unless I can burrow a set of stock rims and tires somewhere to test out.

Check out this also...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...ion-fixed.html
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Old Dec 3, 2011 | 09:13 PM
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Default Vibration Problem

I read the last link and it has me thinking again.

This is crazy...I thinnnk I will put my OEM wheel on (need to change out my tires) and see what happens.

I think the suggestions about the damper on the tranny/drive shaft is worth looking at also.

I will keep you informed.

Tom
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