C6 Vibration over 75mph
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 322
Likes: 24
From: San Antonio Texas
C6 Vibration over 75mph
I have a 2005 Z51 M6 and ever since I bought it a few months ago I've had a pretty bad vibration above 75 mph. I haven't pushed it much over 85 mph but the vibration is at least as bad, probably a little worse with speed. It doesn't matter if I'm accelerating or if the clutch is depressed. I have had the tires balance, and road force balanced and nothing has helped. I was thinking the rotors may be out of balance. We just sold my other car, so I don't have time to drop it off at a performance shop so they can determine what the problem is. Does anyone have any ideas? Should I buy new rotors and hope they fix the problem?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 25,015
Likes: 2,709
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
I'd be very reluctant to start just throwing (expensive) parts at it. The cost of renting another car for a couple of days to get the Corvette fixed, would be a good investment.
There is a GM bulletin about vibrations that discusses wheels/tires/rotors, etc; I don't know the bul # but you might do some work with the Search function.
But on a car that's 8 years old, the problem is likely not something exotic.
There is a GM bulletin about vibrations that discusses wheels/tires/rotors, etc; I don't know the bul # but you might do some work with the Search function.
But on a car that's 8 years old, the problem is likely not something exotic.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
From: Houston TX
I had the exact same issue and it ended up being a slipped radial/belt on one of the rear tires. It balanced fine at the discount tire but starting at around 70mph it started vibrating the car and got worse at higher speeds. You could really feel it on smooth roads. If you take it to a really good tire place and have a really experienced person check it they can usually see it when it is spinning or just by looking at how it wearing or how it looks rolling on the ground. Do a google for slipped radial and you can learn all about this. Goodyear run-flats are notorious for this. Good luck
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
Is the car running with oem rims?
If not and using after market there might be a bore hub fit issue, which I have experienced personally.
I would go to a shop that is dealing with track cars on a steady diet.
If not and using after market there might be a bore hub fit issue, which I have experienced personally.
I would go to a shop that is dealing with track cars on a steady diet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
Tire, wheel, or suspension issues. Or a combination. That's why you should always test drive a used car before purchase, especially that old. Hopefully it has never been wrecked (against a curb, etc), and will be something simple. But yes, better let an experienced shop determine what it is, before throwing money at the wrong places. Good luck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,220
Likes: 16
From: Sugarhill Ga
is the vibration in the steering or the whole car? if in the steering wheel only, concentrate on the front (wheels, tires, rotors, axle nuts) if it's in the "seat" work on the rear (wheels, tires, axles, torque tube)
good luck
good luck
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
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Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 475
Likes: 56
There are so many possibilities, it's difficult to simply diagnose based on a few sentences.
It could be wheel bearings, driveshaft, improper clutch install, axles, wheels, tires, suspension parts(tie rods, loose connections, etc).
What have you checked?
Here are a couple things to do. Lift the car up and: grip the front wheels at the 6 and 12 o'clock position, try shaking the wheel and see if there is play in the wheel bearings. Then grip it at the 3 and 9 o'clock position and shake, see if the tie rods have any play.
Check the axles for any missing or loose bolts, same for the driveshaft.
Check the suspension parts for anything missing.
Is it the whole car that vibrates, or does the wheel just shake?
It could be wheel bearings, driveshaft, improper clutch install, axles, wheels, tires, suspension parts(tie rods, loose connections, etc).
What have you checked?
Here are a couple things to do. Lift the car up and: grip the front wheels at the 6 and 12 o'clock position, try shaking the wheel and see if there is play in the wheel bearings. Then grip it at the 3 and 9 o'clock position and shake, see if the tie rods have any play.
Check the axles for any missing or loose bolts, same for the driveshaft.
Check the suspension parts for anything missing.
Is it the whole car that vibrates, or does the wheel just shake?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 7,051
Likes: 945
From: DFW TX
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,075
Likes: 6
From: Wilmington NC
I had the same issue, vibration at 80 mph, now at 75 mph. Turned out to be cupping on the inside of the front tires, a common problem with Vettes using the GM standard alignment specs. The cupping is so slight you could not see it until you got the car on a lift and really inspected it.
I'm replacing the front tires and using the Pfadt tire alignment specs for the street.
I'm replacing the front tires and using the Pfadt tire alignment specs for the street.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 322
Likes: 24
From: San Antonio Texas
Update: I took my car to Big O today and they thought one of my rear tires had Fix-It-Flat in it. They took the tire off the rim and about a 1/2 gallon if Fix-It-Flat poured out. Smooth as butter now above 80 mph.
Thanks for all the help guys,
Ryan
Thanks for all the help guys,
Ryan
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 322
Likes: 24
From: San Antonio Texas