Help Please ! Driveline vibration?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 6
Help Please ! Driveline vibration?
You know you have a problem when your wife says "what's that rumbling I feel in my seat" ? I've noticed a "vibration" at highway speeds on smooth roads. It's in the rear of the car & I don't think it's a tire. Any ideas ? Hard to describe, the car is vibe free & then the vibe comes in & goes away in that sequence. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 105
From: Northville Michigan
Patrick,
If the vibration phases in and out above 50 mph and is coming from the rear of the vehicle, I would take a look at the tire-wheel combination.
Tires have a force called Radial First Harmonic that can phase in and out depending on the relationship of the left-side tire to the right-side tire.
Also, tire imbalance increases with mileage accumulation. Check for loss of a balance weight, or if you need to have the tire-wheel assemblies rebalanced.
.
If the vibration phases in and out above 50 mph and is coming from the rear of the vehicle, I would take a look at the tire-wheel combination.
Tires have a force called Radial First Harmonic that can phase in and out depending on the relationship of the left-side tire to the right-side tire.
Also, tire imbalance increases with mileage accumulation. Check for loss of a balance weight, or if you need to have the tire-wheel assemblies rebalanced.
.
Advanced
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: VALENCIA,CA
check your front tires for inside wear. I have this problem on my 2000 vert. If I run the tire pressure at 30 lbs, I feel a rhythmic sensation that comes and goes about every 3-4 secs at 70 or so mph. If I raise the pressure to 32-33 lbs, smooth as glass. The inside of my fronts are badly scalloped. They're OE tires with 42,000 miles! I cant complain about wear at that mileage. Alignment was checked, wasn't far off. Replacing tires next week, Hope this helps....SAVE THE WAVE.. 
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 785
Likes: 6
You guys are making me feel better. I'll check for a missing wheel weight & check tire pressure again. I beleive the tires were at 29psi warm on the way home yesterday. Woosch: the car is an '03 with 3000 miles on it.
My dad runs an alignment shop in Appleton so I can "road force" balance If I have to. Thanks for the tips
My dad runs an alignment shop in Appleton so I can "road force" balance If I have to. Thanks for the tips
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,479
Likes: 13
From: Dallas/Grand Prairie Texas
I would think if it was the drivetrain, it would be more RPM based, but since it MPH based and coming from the back it's wheel related.
I had a surging noise and feeling that was vibrating my car too and it turned out to be the wheel hub bearings.
Mine did it around 50mph+ and was real bad at 70mph+
You might try shifting it down at 30 and get your RPM's up for a minute and see how it sounds and feels, might help determine if it's connected to the RPM's???
I had a surging noise and feeling that was vibrating my car too and it turned out to be the wheel hub bearings.
Mine did it around 50mph+ and was real bad at 70mph+
You might try shifting it down at 30 and get your RPM's up for a minute and see how it sounds and feels, might help determine if it's connected to the RPM's???
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Barrackville WV
I was just wondering if you have solved your vibration problem.
I have a 99 6 speed - 34000 miles with a new set of Goodyear run flats that was installed when I bought the car. The dealer cannot find the harmonic vibration that I can hear and feel in the gas pedal at 40MPH + on smooth roads. It is real noticable that 70MPH on a smooth Interstate road.
Regards,
Harry J Brown
hbrown@ma.rr.com
I have a 99 6 speed - 34000 miles with a new set of Goodyear run flats that was installed when I bought the car. The dealer cannot find the harmonic vibration that I can hear and feel in the gas pedal at 40MPH + on smooth roads. It is real noticable that 70MPH on a smooth Interstate road.
Regards,
Harry J Brown
hbrown@ma.rr.com
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 7,201
Likes: 0
From: DP(oh you know where) IL
St. Jude Donor '06
i think i have the same problem. buttttt its at any speed cruising. It is that vibe in and out. I guess its time to check the wheel weights from what you guys are sayin.... i hope that the weights are it cause that would be easy...
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Easily could be a rear wheel/hub bearing. I have the same problem and have replaced both rear axles/cv joints. I think the C5 wheel hubs have the potential to wear out rather quickly. Mine doesn't show up until about 40 mph and goes away when I make a left turn. Have someone else drive and lay in the back and listen, the noises can be decieving from the front seat. Mine turned out to be a wheel hub/bearing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,651
Likes: 6
From: redlands,ca.-usa
Originally Posted by patrickboyle
You know you have a problem when your wife says "what's that rumbling I feel in my seat" ? I've noticed a "vibration" at highway speeds on smooth roads. It's in the rear of the car & I don't think it's a tire. Any ideas ? Hard to describe, the car is vibe free & then the vibe comes in & goes away in that sequence.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,149
Likes: 143
**** I have this and have been trying to track it down. I replaced my pass side hub assembly by recommendation with no effect.
It comes in at 120 - 130 kph gradually getting worse to about 145 kmph and then smoothing out a bit. Its just as described above , a harmonic vibration moving through the driveline. Long burst , then gone. I cant tell if its front to back or back to front feeling but its nasty.
I have drag radials out back that need to be replaced so Im hoping that helps.
It comes in at 120 - 130 kph gradually getting worse to about 145 kmph and then smoothing out a bit. Its just as described above , a harmonic vibration moving through the driveline. Long burst , then gone. I cant tell if its front to back or back to front feeling but its nasty.
I have drag radials out back that need to be replaced so Im hoping that helps.
