need advice about vibration
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: chandler az
need advice about vibration
My car has a weird rythmic vibration between 50 and 70. I feel it in the steering wheel and I can't seem to find anything loose up front. Any ideas?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
Re: need advice about vibration (brookman)
Usually at that speed it's a wheel balancing problem. You also might want to check the alignment and all the U-joints for play. :cheers:
[Modified by VBP, 3:28 PM 10/18/2002]
[Modified by VBP, 3:28 PM 10/18/2002]
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 124
Likes: 0
From: Huntsville Al
Re: need advice about vibration (brookman)
Mine seems to have the same problem. I've ruled out the tires and balance, all u-joints have been replaced, shocks are new. Mine shakes more when cold. Does yours? I was starting to think resonance could be part of my problem since I have no cats. But, I haven't heard of resonance being so bad the car shakes. Or does it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,818
Likes: 2
From: Alive and well in Burlington NC
Re: need advice about vibration (LeadFoot)
Mine seems to have the same problem. I've ruled out the tires and balance, all u-joints have been replaced, shocks are new. Mine shakes more when cold. Does yours? I was starting to think resonance could be part of my problem since I have no cats. But, I haven't heard of resonance being so bad the car shakes. Or does it?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,818
Likes: 2
From: Alive and well in Burlington NC
Re: need advice about vibration (brookman)
Check it for what - level? color? smell?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,011
Likes: 0
From: Jupiter Florida
Re: need advice about vibration (brookman)
I just spent a week chasing down a vibration similar to that on my truck. Balance? Nope. Tires? Nope. CV joints? Nope. Front diff? Nope.
Here's where it becomes relevent (maybe); the hub assemblies are almost identical in construction to the units on the rear of my Vette. I had long ago checked them using the 6-and-12 method. Zero play. Spun 'em by hand. Zero noise.
After fooling with all that other stuff, I ran out of options and changed the hub on the side I thought was causing problems, voila! Vibration gone.
Prior to this fiasco, I've never heard of a wheel bearing that was dead silent, tight, and smooth to rotate that would give that kind of vibration. Now I can tell you conclusively that it happens.
I'd definitely stick the wheels on a Hunter 9700 before I went on that kind of witch hunt though.
Here's where it becomes relevent (maybe); the hub assemblies are almost identical in construction to the units on the rear of my Vette. I had long ago checked them using the 6-and-12 method. Zero play. Spun 'em by hand. Zero noise.
After fooling with all that other stuff, I ran out of options and changed the hub on the side I thought was causing problems, voila! Vibration gone.
Prior to this fiasco, I've never heard of a wheel bearing that was dead silent, tight, and smooth to rotate that would give that kind of vibration. Now I can tell you conclusively that it happens.
I'd definitely stick the wheels on a Hunter 9700 before I went on that kind of witch hunt though.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 926
Likes: 2
From: chandler az
Re: need advice about vibration (rocketfinger)
That is what I am suspecting - unfortunately it's going to cost me $125 a side to prove that theory. There is a slight amount of play. Thanks. :sad:
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Almost all Skyline Cruises Vettes at Waterside 1-5
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Re: need advice about vibration (brookman)
That is what I am suspecting - unfortunately it's going to cost me $125 a side to prove that theory. There is a slight amount of play. Thanks. :sad:
Guess what I found today? Right front shock locked up tighter than a drum!
I had planned to replace the shocks anyway, when I began to remove the right front, I didn't need to hold the stud while turning the nut (upper).
Shock shaft was locked up so tight that I could (did) remove the castle nut without holding the shaft at all.
I had the car jacked up and wheel off, but when I finally got the nut off the shock, the A arms dropped about an inch.
You can't move this shock with a "ten ton" press!
I now have a cracked and slightly bent shock tower to boot. Installed new shock, vibration gone!
Jack
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: need advice about vibration (brookman)
My car has a weird rythmic vibration between 50 and 70. I feel it in the steering wheel and I can't seem to find anything loose up front. Any ideas?
I thought flatspots were only a problem with nylon tires. I suppose any rubber will take some time to lose it's memory though.
