Vibration at 60 mph and above
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Vibration at 60 mph and above
Hey all,
I have a 2000 C5 base. The car has 78k miles on it. I noticed a slight shaking in the steering wheel. I had the wheels aligned and balanced. The majority of the shaking is gone; however, there is a definite vibration that is felt at 60 mph+. It seems to cycle between vibrating and stopping at a pretty quick rate. It's not surface specific. I'm not sure which direction to go in. I was thinking the harmonic balancer, or maybe the drive shaft. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Clif
I have a 2000 C5 base. The car has 78k miles on it. I noticed a slight shaking in the steering wheel. I had the wheels aligned and balanced. The majority of the shaking is gone; however, there is a definite vibration that is felt at 60 mph+. It seems to cycle between vibrating and stopping at a pretty quick rate. It's not surface specific. I'm not sure which direction to go in. I was thinking the harmonic balancer, or maybe the drive shaft. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Clif
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta GA
Hey all,
I have a 2000 C5 base. The car has 78k miles on it. I noticed a slight shaking in the steering wheel. I had the wheels aligned and balanced. The majority of the shaking is gone; however, there is a definite vibration that is felt at 60 mph+. It seems to cycle between vibrating and stopping at a pretty quick rate. It's not surface specific. I'm not sure which direction to go in. I was thinking the harmonic balancer, or maybe the drive shaft. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Clif
I have a 2000 C5 base. The car has 78k miles on it. I noticed a slight shaking in the steering wheel. I had the wheels aligned and balanced. The majority of the shaking is gone; however, there is a definite vibration that is felt at 60 mph+. It seems to cycle between vibrating and stopping at a pretty quick rate. It's not surface specific. I'm not sure which direction to go in. I was thinking the harmonic balancer, or maybe the drive shaft. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
Clif
Just to verify did they re-balance the rear tires as well?
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Thanks for the questions and sorry for the late response. No, it is still felt in the steering wheel and in the driver's seat. I had a friend ride along and he was able to notice it as well. Yes the rear tires were rebalanced too.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 215
Likes: 1
From: Roseville CA
Is the vibration felt when turning as well? what about upon hard braking? Just thinking you might be able to narrow the location of the vibration by shifting the weight of the car around. definitely going to be related to something rotational (rotors, axles, wheels, bearings, driveshaft, etc.).
Pro
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 568
Likes: 1
From: Fresno California
Make sure the that the wheel and hub are clean where they seat together. Do you use a torque wrench when you tighten the lug? Check the wheel run out.
My 04 had a vibration like what you described and it turned out to be wheel run out caused by debris on the hub.
My 04 had a vibration like what you described and it turned out to be wheel run out caused by debris on the hub.
Last edited by onlyavette; Jul 29, 2013 at 12:25 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
If you had a proper alignment and balance and it reduced your vibration, it could be a tire issue. Maybe a belt had separated some. Hard to see unless it gets really bad. I would suggest you find another C5 friend and put their wheels/tires on the front and see if that corrects it. If not, we can go from there.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 568
Likes: 1
From: Fresno California
I had a new Michelin tire once that vibrated and it turned out that the tread was not concentric with the bead. It took a while to get that figured out but they replaced the tire without hesitation once the knew what it was.
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Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Thanks for the input from everyone! As the car is my DD and the vibration seems to be getting worse, I took the car to a shop to have whatever it is found and fixed. I'm preparing for the worst as I think it may be something regarding the driveshaft. I should know something tomorrow. I tried to find someone to swap wheels with, but the one guy in the area I know had already sold his oem wheels. I'll keep the post updated with the findings. Thanks again! This site is a wealth of information. PS If anyone lives in the NE Florida area and wants to cruise, let me know.
Clif
Clif
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 4
From: cinnaminson n.j.
St. Jude Donor '14
I agree with posts 6,7 & 8. If it was driveline related, it would change on and off the throttle. An out of round wheel or belt shift won't show up on a standard spin balancer. Either of the 2 will cause a vibration thru the steering wheel.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
From: Loxahatchee FL
sterring wheel is front in, gas pedal is rear end car is drive shaft.
did you jack it up and check the wheel hub is solid? I had the same thing driving down the road and it would shake then stop etc.
grab tire from top and bottom and push pull any play wheel hub.
did you jack it up and check the wheel hub is solid? I had the same thing driving down the road and it would shake then stop etc.
grab tire from top and bottom and push pull any play wheel hub.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 832
Likes: 14
From: Lake Charles Louisiana
All alignment and tire balancing shops are not created equal. I had the same problem you describe. Oscillating is how I describe it. The frequency got worse and shorter in between as I increased from 60 to 75. Had two tire shops balance the front tires. Second one didn't do much at all with the weights. I watched close. Brought it to a third shop because I still suspected tire balance issues. The guy put one on the machine, spun it up and looked at me and laughed. He had to move the weight about 90 degrees and add 1 oz. on one and something similar on the other. Vibration is gone.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 4
From: cinnaminson n.j.
St. Jude Donor '14
sterring wheel is front in, gas pedal is rear end car is drive shaft.
The rest I understand
Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
From: Loxahatchee FL
steering wheel means front end issues (suspension) example: wheel weights, wheel bearings, ball joints etc.
Gas pedal same as above except rear suspension
car is driveline or really bad front and rear combined suspension, sway bars shocks etc.
Gas pedal same as above except rear suspension
car is driveline or really bad front and rear combined suspension, sway bars shocks etc.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 662
Likes: 0
From: Loxahatchee FL
No kidding.
But it still stands for diagnostics with vibrations in those locations.
After being an alignment tech for years, (years ago) my brother owning a shop and being able to zero in on my own rear (gas pedal) vibration that was a rear wheel hub bearing that was bad. Ill stay with what I've learned over the last 35 years working on cars, boats and motorcycles.
But it still stands for diagnostics with vibrations in those locations.
After being an alignment tech for years, (years ago) my brother owning a shop and being able to zero in on my own rear (gas pedal) vibration that was a rear wheel hub bearing that was bad. Ill stay with what I've learned over the last 35 years working on cars, boats and motorcycles.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Update- Regardless of the vibration I needed and was planning on getting new tires. I had the tires replaced this morning. I went with the Michelin Pilot Sport AS Plus RF. I didn't get a chance to get the car up to speed until my lunch break. The vibration is still present which is disheartening. Anyway, I tried to pinpoint exactly where (RPM and speed) the vibration is most prevalent. It seems to be right around 68 mph. I set my cruise and rode at the speed for about a mile. I was right around 2k rpm (5th gear). Prior to having the tires replaced I had the car at a dealership. I rode with the technician and pointed out when the vibration started and ended. He was able to feel it and time the cycles just as I was. I was told that the problem would have to become worse before it could be pinpointed. This was pretty disappointing. Is it possible that a bent wheel would cause this? If that were the case I would think the vibration would be felt at all speeds. I don't have a lift and don't know of anyone in the immediate area (Jacksonville, Fl) to swap wheels with for troubleshooting. Any ideas? Thanks again for the input!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,846
Likes: 129
From: Orlando Florida
Wouldnt you know if you had hit something that might have caused a bent wheel ? Especially if it wasnt there when u got the car ?
I would at least get the car up to the 68mph trouble spot and try different gears so the rpms change, That would rule out the drivetrain if it did. My C4 had the same issue and it was a rear wheel hub/bearing.
I would at least get the car up to the 68mph trouble spot and try different gears so the rpms change, That would rule out the drivetrain if it did. My C4 had the same issue and it was a rear wheel hub/bearing.
