When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I don't think I am going to sell my car because of this, because the vibration is only at the 3500rpm band and I don't drive it there much. But it appears that to fix it is tricky to difficult at best. But the bottom line for me?...I have no clue .....whatsoever. I don't know who to take it to, or if there are any places that even have the capability to diagnose and check balance....at least in the Seattle/Tacoma area. I guess if it breaks, it breaks, and I'll deal with it then. I just can't worry about it any more.
I guess the real question is what if any damage will be caused?
Interesting. I found this post by ArKay99 over in C5 General. A guys car has been at the dealer for 7 weeks trying to find a vibration. I'd be willing to bet that at least in my case, this could be what is causing my vibration. I am not hopeful that this will ever get fixed.
"Sorry to hear about your troubles. Here is my take on what possibly went wrong. When changing the TC the flexplate was probably removed. It states in the manual that you have to mark the location of the flexplate when removing it. This is because sometimes after the initial engine balance the balance needs to be tweaked on the assembly line. Some engines require it, some don't. If the flexplate was offset balanced to correct for an engine imbalance and removed and not put back on in the exact position it was removed in, you will have vibration. OR, they put in a new flexplate that wasn't balanced, OR that flexplate needs to be offset balanced exactly as the original was. However, if the original wasn't marked there will be now way to know where to drill the offset hole. There is a way to balance it afterwards, but it involves using a strobe light with the inspection cover off. I have never seen this done but there was a member about a year ago that had the dealer replace his clutch and flywheel and they messed up the same way by not marking it. The end result was GM sent 4 engineers to the dealership and they used that strobe light method to pinpoint the heavy spot and balanced the assembly that way. This might be your only solution. Time to start spanking some butt and getting some help from higher places. BTW, there is another way to do it but I've only heard it done on manual xmissions. You have to use washers and trial and error under the flywheel bolts, but I don't know if this method could or should, be used in your case."
This sure sounds as though it could be the problem, especially since some engines needed to be rebalanced coming off the line and some didn't. As previously noted, many have had torque converters replaced and have experienced no issues. Then is this thread, there are some who have had issues with aftermarket, and with stock, converters after replacement/reinstallation. It would be interesting to know which shops marked the flexplate upon removal and which did not. I'm thinking about a new converter this winter and will make sure this is done on mine.
Ed
My question is why would you remove the flexplate to change the TC? I think that the problem would be not marking the flywheel when you pulled the driveshaft out of it.
I have had mine apart many times and have never touched a bolt on the flex plate.
Has anyone ever had this problem or is there a specific GM sequence that should be followed when re/reing the torque tube that might have been miss followed by my shop??!!
please help newby
I had this problem with a Yank converter, 3000 stall, as far as I am concerned these are defect converts as they either dont fit or are out of balance or alignment or or or....
all my problems went away when I put the stock convert back in! I let a local torque convert shop set the stall to 2400 and could not be happier.
Before anyone says....... but did you try this? .......... yes we did try everything
Yank was very belligerent and we don't talk anymore, they took me for over a GRAND.
I had this problem with a Yank converter, 3000 stall, as far as I am concerned these are defect converts as they either dont fit or are out of balance or alignment or or or....
all my problems went away when I put the stock convert back in! I let a local torque convert shop set the stall to 2400 and could not be happier.
Before anyone says....... but did you try this? .......... yes we did try everything
Yank was very belligerent and we don't talk anymore, they took me for over a GRAND.
I've thought about this also. Is there a downside to restalling a stock converter?
Ed
I have to agree that there is absolutly no reason to take off your flex plate unless damaged... but where the problem would lye would be at the crank cone coupler/drive shaft...if ..as stated.. some engines were tweeked after assembly.. then if a mechanic did not mark the spline-to-spline in the coupler then i could see this being the issue because the flex plate is attached to the other end of the shaft and if it was balanced to the engine, then if the splines were to have been turned then the balance point would be in the wrong possition HMMMM... but on the other hand this would mean that if we disconnect the tc from the flex plate and run the engine up to that nemisis RPM, we should see the same vibration???? yes/no especially since the TC is neutral balanced. This also follows what i stated before that those who replaced their stock units back in might have just lucked out when putting the shaft/coupler together and got it pretty dame close to the factory spline/spline. I am going to try and spin mine up without the tc tomorrow and see if the vib is still their... this will eliminate the Q of TC verses drive shaft and/or TQ tube. any other suggestions??
St. Jude Donor 05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Originally Posted by klymaxr
I have to agree that there is absolutly no reason to take off your flex plate unless damaged... but where the problem would lye would be at the crank cone coupler/drive shaft...if ..as stated.. some engines were tweeked after assembly.. then if a mechanic did not mark the spline-to-spline in the coupler then i could see this being the issue because the flex plate is attached to the other end of the shaft and if it was balanced to the engine, then if the splines were to have been turned then the balance point would be in the wrong possition HMMMM... but on the other hand this would mean that if we disconnect the tc from the flex plate and run the engine up to that nemisis RPM, we should see the same vibration???? yes/no especially since the TC is neutral balanced. This also follows what i stated before that those who replaced their stock units back in might have just lucked out when putting the shaft/coupler together and got it pretty dame close to the factory spline/spline. I am going to try and spin mine up without the tc tomorrow and see if the vib is still their... this will eliminate the Q of TC verses drive shaft and/or TQ tube. any other suggestions??
To my way of thinking the drive shaft/or TQ tube would have to be zero balanced as they have no idea what enginge assy. will be married to this assy.
I have to agree that there is absolutly no reason to take off your flex plate unless damaged... but where the problem would lye would be at the crank cone coupler/drive shaft...if ..as stated.. some engines were tweeked after assembly.. then if a mechanic did not mark the spline-to-spline in the coupler then i could see this being the issue because the flex plate is attached to the other end of the shaft and if it was balanced to the engine, then if the splines were to have been turned then the balance point would be in the wrong possition HMMMM... but on the other hand this would mean that if we disconnect the tc from the flex plate and run the engine up to that nemisis RPM, we should see the same vibration???? yes/no especially since the TC is neutral balanced. This also follows what i stated before that those who replaced their stock units back in might have just lucked out when putting the shaft/coupler together and got it pretty dame close to the factory spline/spline. I am going to try and spin mine up without the tc tomorrow and see if the vib is still their... this will eliminate the Q of TC verses drive shaft and/or TQ tube. any other suggestions??
I've done what you are talking about doing.... The vibe was less noticable with the TC off, but was still there at the same RPM. I went throught the process of spinning the torque shaft a few degrees, re-installing, and then seeing what happened with the vibe still with no TC installed. I could tell any difference at any spline/ flywheel combo. The vibe WAS more noticble with the TC connected. I did have my TC balanced internal and external at a local shop, so I believe my problem is not there. Could the extra spinning mass add to the vibe?
I ended up living with the vibe. I don't hit the 3800-4000 RPM all the time and when I do the car is floored. I really don't notice the vibe because I spend a fraction of a second passing through that zone.
I have started questioning if the vibe was there even before the TC change. Again I don't spend much time in that RPM range so maybe I didn't notice it. After the install I was very tuned into every aspect of the car, maybe that is why I know it is there.
Let me know how spinning the spline works for you.
Well I disconnected the torque converter and pushed it back into the trans as far as possible as not to interfere with the flex plate...there isn't much room... so it a good idea to spray a little lithium or wd40 up at the general direction of the torque converter pilot just in case it is still slightly touching the flex plate when running the engine. When i started the engine and ran it up to 3500-4000 there was absolutly NO vibration noticable. Now you will hear a slight squeeling sound as the tqc starts to walk back out and slightly touches the flex plate but nothing to worry about because there is no edge to catch anything on. I went ahead and reattached the tqc in the last of the three possible possitions (tryed the other 2 locations with still a vibe) and fired up the engine and ..yes the vibration returned. sooonow it has to be the torque converter or as was stated earlier because the mass is less this might cause it to vibrate. Boy when you remove the torque converter ..does the engine ever spool up quickly!!!! snappy as hell! now i see why it is such an advantage for those M6 boys to put a light weight flywheel on...that would be the first thing I would be doing with a manual! Sooo it looks as if Ill be pulling the tq out to send it back to TCI for a new one...it also seams as not to lock up completely anyway so it will be two birds with one stone I guess.
max
I installed a TCI for Corvette Fever magazine a few weeks ago. Same problem. Out of balance.
I just replaced it today with a new one. Problem fixed!
I had the same problem with my 3200. Sent it back to Precision Ind and they said it was ten grams out of balance so they replaced it. Send it back to the manufacturer and they'll check it.
Good Luck,
KJ
Well I disconnected the torque converter and pushed it back into the trans as far as possible as not to interfere with the flex plate...there isn't much room... so it a good idea to spray a little lithium or wd40 up at the general direction of the torque converter pilot just in case it is still slightly touching the flex plate when running the engine. When i started the engine and ran it up to 3500-4000 there was absolutly NO vibration noticable. Now you will hear a slight squeeling sound as the tqc starts to walk back out and slightly touches the flex plate but nothing to worry about because there is no edge to catch anything on. I went ahead and reattached the tqc in the last of the three possible possitions (tryed the other 2 locations with still a vibe) and fired up the engine and ..yes the vibration returned. sooonow it has to be the torque converter or as was stated earlier because the mass is less this might cause it to vibrate. Boy when you remove the torque converter ..does the engine ever spool up quickly!!!! snappy as hell! now i see why it is such an advantage for those M6 boys to put a light weight flywheel on...that would be the first thing I would be doing with a manual! Sooo it looks as if Ill be pulling the tq out to send it back to TCI for a new one...it also seams as not to lock up completely anyway so it will be two birds with one stone I guess.
max
I hope sending it back works for you. I did the exact same troubleshooting with the same results. Took the TC out and had it balanced locally at a place that makes TC (it was off by around 17 grams). Re-installed and the vibe was still there....
Does anyone know if an engine vibe would be amplified due to the extra mass of the TC spinning?
St. Jude Donor 05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Originally Posted by Mike04
Does anyone know if an engine vibe would be amplified due to the extra mass of the TC spinning?
I would think, if anything , the added mass would lessen the vibe because if it was out 10 grams it would still be out 10 grams, but with a larger mass so a lesser percentage..........
It is starting to look like there may be a problem with the Yank 3000.
I am running a Yank 3000 and its absolutly perfect. No viberations at all. It has the 2.0 STR. I have been running it for approximately 18 months. I love it...
I am running a Yank 3000 and its absolutly perfect. No viberations at all. It has the 2.0 STR. I have been running it for approximately 18 months. I love it...
We have looked it this for quite a time and have found the upon removal, that the drive shaft at the foward rubber attachment is centered by a small plastic sleeve, and with use the rubber and sleeve
will take a set.
the weight of the factory converter allows the drive shaft to act as a balance beam and have a small amount of weight at the front joint
when you take the unit apart the drive shaft falls at the front as their is now no mass at the rear to counterbalance it
upon assy the converter is bolted up and the foward joint is not on center, as the converter can not over come the weight of the shaft and find center, the factory alignment clearance is now enhanced by it taking a set with use .
the drive shaft will orbit at the foward joint and cause a vibration!
To fix this we have designed a heavy duty converter drive plate this unit will not flex like the thin stock unit upon converter bolt up and help bring the inner shaft back to center http://www.converter.cc/newproducts.htm
also, if you can get any movement at the input shaft on the torque tube other than rotation (up and down movement) you must replace the warn items.
Hope this helps!!
any ?'s call us
Mike
We have looked it this for quite a time and have found the upon removal, that the drive shaft at the foward rubber attachment is centered by a small plastic sleeve, and with use the rubber and sleeve
will take a set.
the weight of the factory converter allows the drive shaft to act as a balance beam and have a small amount of weight at the front joint
when you take the unit apart the drive shaft falls at the front as their is now no mass at the rear to counterbalance it
upon assy the converter is bolted up and the foward joint is not on center, as the converter can not over come the weight of the shaft and find center, the factory alignment clearance is now enhanced by it taking a set with use .
the drive shaft will orbit at the foward joint and cause a vibration!
To fix this we have designed a heavy duty converter drive plate this unit will not flex like the thin stock unit upon converter bolt up and help bring the inner shaft back to center http://www.converter.cc/newproducts.htm
also, if you can get any movement at the input shaft on the torque tube other than rotation (up and down movement) you must replace the warn items.
Hope this helps!!
any ?'s call us
Mike
Thanks for the info.
Has anyone used one of these drive plates who had a previous vibe?
I have the same issue with my TCI SF3000. Also lost the lockup clutch.
Getting a billet cover, 3800 stall, triple disk lockup converter to replace it.
hey chris,mine did the exact same thing as yours. when i last spoke to you at Agostino's. I just finmisned talking to Scott at TCI (kevin told him to call) and they are going to send me a replacement as well. Have to pay for it first then they will re-inburse when i send the old one back. I don't want the car on the hoist for another three days so we just will do an in and out. How did those pressure edits work for you? I wish there was a certain formula to follow as well as which tables we should touch to acheive a perfect shift caracteristic.
max