I have been searching for - and trying to repair - a very annoying vibration for two years. Okay, I didn't work on it very often, but I'd spent a LOT of hours and several hundred buckaroos with no luck.

First likely suspects to round up were the tires & wheels. Inspection showed nothing but I had them rebalanced. No change. Pulled them off again and popped the tires off the rims for interior inspection. The tire shop crushed a tire pressure sensor. They bought a new one. That's when I found out the other three were late model sensors. Long story, but resolved. Tires & wheels cleared of suspicion and released.

Two different shops agreed that it had to be coming from the rear wheel bearings and/or u-joints. So, I replaced 'em. Don't want to do that job again! No change. Still sounded and felt like somebody tapping on the bottom of the passenger side floorboard with a rubber hammer. Vibration speed was consistent with wheel speed and occured at all vehicle speeds, in or out of gear.

Another two shops agreed that the front wheel hubs needed to be replaced. They won't guarantee that's the problem, just that it's the next step in the diagnosis procedure. Of course they charge an hourly rate for the inspection and advice. When asked if they eat the parts and labor if the vibration is still there with new front bearings, they laugh.

I hem & haw for another few months, then my wife sez we are going on vacation and we are taking the 'vette, so I'd better get off my rear and FIX IT!

I price new hubs at Pep Boys and go into sticker shock. I decide to shop around. Autozone lists them at the same price and they are 30 miles closer to home. "Trouble is", the guy tells me, "We ain't got none and we've been out of stock in the warehouse for a year". Whoopee.

So, I call Pep Boys again. The price has gone up 12 bucks in a week! They won't take a credit card over the phone so I have to drive a hundred miles - twice. Once to order 'em and again to pick them up! :mad

Installing them turns out to be a lot easier than the rears. The first one takes an hour and the second about 45 minutes. The hubs I removed seem perfect. No slop, no grease leaks, no feeling of roughness.

What a difference! It is plainly obvious the vibration is gone. Wife is happy. We had a good trip to Ocean Shores. I think I'll build a band saw using the old hubs.

Rich

 

great!