se owner
Vibration problems
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 601
Likes: 1
From: Wa
Vibration problems
Well i have been having vibration problems going over 70mph in my 96 vete lt4. I feel it in the steering wheel and in the seat. Its not to bad but does get annoying i had tires re balanced and didint help. I know my breaks are getting bad becasue when i try to slow down from going 70+ they really vibrate then. Wonder if the rotors are doing it? Any ideas?
Instructor
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 181
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands TX
Two things - brakes could be a part of the vibration but also the lower ball joints could be wearing out - Hard driving or high milage will over time wear out the ball joints. If you don't know how to check for wear in the ball joints, I would suggest going to a local vette service shop to have them checked. It also could be someting as simple as a tire going bad - a sidewall cord could have snaped or you might have a small bubble. Check these first to conclude... It's most likely something simple.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Does it do it with the top on? Most C4's will have vibration with the tops removed. With the top removed, the car flexes more creating the type of vibrations you are referring to. I have driven over 8 C4's, and they all have this issue.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,700
Likes: 298
From: Ft. Lauderdale Fl
I think you might have a......
Warped front rotor. Or it could be a series of small items,(parts) that are either worn or broken. When you are a speed and you apply the brakes, does the viabration get worse. That would be the test for a warp of the rotors. Just a guess.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11,043
Likes: 3
From: San Jose Pat Tillman - American Hero
The worsening of the vibration upon braking is a dead-wringer for a rotor, but the vibration at speed is another story that doesn't *necessarily* have to be the rotor. It could be bearings, U-joints, ball joints, tie rod ends, tires, bent rim, etc., etc., etc. Vibrations are really a royal b!tch to diagnose, IMO.
FWIW, my 96 LT4 w/ 50k miles has a vibration at exactly 63mph (in any gear) that nobody has been able to figure out. The incorrect way to fix it would be to just start throwing money at the car by replacing part after part until it's gone, but I'm not in a position to do that. Hopefully, I'll one day find it. Sometime early next year, I'm going to do bearings/U's just to be on the safe side as "preventative maintenance". We'll see if that does it. I've already replaced a bent rim, and that didn't do it, nor did 4 new tires...
FWIW, my 96 LT4 w/ 50k miles has a vibration at exactly 63mph (in any gear) that nobody has been able to figure out. The incorrect way to fix it would be to just start throwing money at the car by replacing part after part until it's gone, but I'm not in a position to do that. Hopefully, I'll one day find it. Sometime early next year, I'm going to do bearings/U's just to be on the safe side as "preventative maintenance". We'll see if that does it. I've already replaced a bent rim, and that didn't do it, nor did 4 new tires...
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