Car Vibration Problem

[scaldwellk]

I have a vibration problem that does not seem to match when I did a search. The vibration is always there. I start to really fell it at about 50 to 55 mph. It has the feeling in the steering wheel like warped rotors, but they are new. I have noticed that if I get on the throttle more then normal driving it seem s to be worse. Also if I get the car up to about 80 mph and slow down to about 70 it is a bad vibration. I have never heard of one like this nor had a vibration like this. Could it somehow be one of three things.

1) Drive line
2) Transfer
3) or the trans it self

I was leaning to something with the drive line, but was not sure if if could cause what I feel in the steering wheel. As I said before. The vibrtion is always there.
Thanks.

 

[blkbrd1988]

Have you checked all motor mounts to see that they are in good condition, its possible that the bolts may have loosened up a little over time. my car did the same thing and i got to looking and found out that both of my transmission mounts were loose.

 

[EclipseTrbo420A]

Check your axles on that list also.....read my two threads.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210566

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210877

 

[ZachM31]

it could be a worn out carrier bearing for the driveshaft, i know when those get worn out, you experience some vibration, is the vibration speed related (only happens when the car is moving)? or is it engine speed related? and how do your tires look? any abnormal wear on any part of the tire? so at this point i would definitely look into the driveline. See if you can't have a reputable mechanic drive your car to see what he thinks.

 

[scaldwellk]

It is speed related. Engine was just rebuilt about 3k miles ago. I put in new axles and all engine/trans mounts seemed ok. The mounts are good and tight. This way I was looking at the drive shaft. I just did not want to have it done buy a local shop that will balance it for me if there was something cheap to check 1st.

 

[DodgeAvenger96]

You might want to get your wheels and tires rebalanced! I think that might be your problem.

-Ryan

 

[scaldwellk]

I will try that 1st.
Thank you.

 

[scaldwellk]

You might want to get your wheels and tires rebalanced! I think that might be your problem.

-Ryan

You where dead on. 3 out of 4 is not bad, well in my case it is. Turns out I have 3 bent rims. The front right is the worst one and I could see the tire move when the guy had it on the machine. I could see where the lip is bent on the inside and outside of that rim. I guess my next move is to try and find some rims for the thing. Thanks for the help.

 

[Goro21]

You where dead on. 3 out of 4 is not bad, well in my case it is. Turns out I have 3 bent rims. The front right is the worst one and I could see the tire move when the guy had it on the machine. I could see where the lip is bent on the inside and outside of that rim. I guess my next move is to try and find some rims for the thing. Thanks for the help.

I had a vibration very similar to yours and tried just about everything to fix it. I figured out I had a bent rim as well, bought a new one and all new tires and the vibration was still there. Get under the car and see how much play the driveshaft has in it. Don't completely rule out the driveshaft carrier bearings, those suckers go bad pretty often on both 1 and 2gs.

 

[Blkrx7]

Now that you've had your problem solved, I'll pose a quick feeler of my own for the guru's watching this thread and hopefully won't get hit with a threadjacking comment

I've had a very serious vibration in my 98 Tsi, which began directly after a lapping day.

Mine occurs around 105-120kph (say 65-75), and feels as if someone is literally shaking the car, left and right. It's extremely apparent in the steering wheel, it probably shakes a solid 1/2" left and right. Neither acceleration at that speed, nor braking seem to have much if any effect.

I tossed the tires, installed a new set, had them balanced, no help. Installed my track tires and rims for a quick run around, and felt it was mildly improved (but they're 50 series, instead of 40's on my regular rims). And, with winter here, I've put on the snows, which are a 60 series, and it is again further reduced, but still shakes more than hard enough to yank the wheel around and shakes the change in my dish and be an obvious problem. I'd say that I also feel this vibration to a lower extent on hard acceleration runs at low speed, but it's tough to call as I cannot realistically hold the pedal down for an extended period of time and focus on the feeling.

I've had the suspension gone over by a pair of shops, one suggested I had a slightly worn tie rod end, but it was a tough call (I felt it myself, and feel it might have been a slight bit of slop in the rack). They still put the car on a rack, and it was still lined up. Brakes feel good, no unusual pulls or shake (though they certainly did fade on the track and start to vibrate, but after a cool down they feel normal).

I've shaken the prop shaft around in the hopes of finding something loose, but it feels fairly taught. Ditto for the CV's, no clicking in circles, no torn boots, and the car doesn't have a lot of miles, around 55k.

The shake gets outright dangerous sometimes on a decel. If I accelerate out to say 100mph, the shake nearly entirely subsides, but as the speed reduces and hits around 80 or thereabouts, the car sakes so seriously I'm concerned something unrelated is going to break. The most frustration part of all of this, is it's inconsistent. Often times, for 5 to 10 minutes at speed, it's totally unreproducible. But inevitably, especially after a few minutes, it crops up and gets worse the longer I drive, until around the 25-30 minute mark and it gets downright scary.

Any wild guesses? I have a spare set of CV's, transmission and prop shaft. I was waiting to swap a lot of this out until I had to do a clutch in the spring, but would have no trouble trying something else.

Thanks!

Paul

 

[Goro21]

At speeds where the vibration is the worst, is it actually pulling your steering wheel different directions? (if so, you may need an alignment job very badly) or does it just vibrate/ shake the steering wheel? Have you checked the driveshaft near the carrier bearings? grab the shaft near the two carriers and push/pull on the shaft, it should move a "Small" amount, not a lot. (the rubber mounts should be FIRM) Also, check to see if you have slack between the 3 pieces. grab one section with one hand and the other with your other hand. twist the two pieces in opposite directions, if there is ANY slack in either of the pieces, you may have a bad u-joint. Driveshafts can make quite a few vibrations, even speed specific ones like your having. ;(

 

[Blkrx7]

At speeds where the vibration is the worst, is it actually pulling your steering wheel different directions? (if so, you may need an alignment job very badly) or does it just vibrate/ shake the steering wheel? Have you checked the driveshaft near the carrier bearings? grab the shaft near the two carriers and push/pull on the shaft, it should move a "Small" amount, not a lot. (the rubber mounts should be FIRM) Also, check to see if you have slack between the 3 pieces. grab one section with one hand and the other with your other hand. twist the two pieces in opposite directions, if there is ANY slack in either of the pieces, you may have a bad u-joint. Driveshafts can make quite a few vibrations, even speed specific ones like your having. ;(

Thanks Goro:

The car tracks reasonably straight, even during this vibration, but it most certainly does move the wheel left and right a good half inch. But, the frequency is fairly high, too high for the chassis to respond imo. It has been on the alignment rack, twice, neither time has anything (other than camber) been out of spec.

The prop shaft, this is a concern because every search I've done (and I bet I've read 50 threads here alone) says 'it shouldn't move, much'. Well, what's 'much?' . It certainly moves, but none of the rubber is torn, and the shaft doesn't contact anything. I haven't tried twisting it however, which I'll absolutely head out and do now. Damned fine idea. Thanks!

Outside of noise (I have solid engine mounts, so noise doesn't bother me) can anyone see any trouble with making solid prop shaft mounts?

Paul

 

[scaldwellk]

Ordered a new set of rims today. I should have them with new tires in a week or so. I will leave you know if the vibration goes away.

 

[scaldwellk]

Story 1st. I ordered my new rims on a Thursday and was going to buy new 16" tires. I get a call on Monday from the rim dealer and they have 2, but the other 2 will be on back order for about 3 to 4 weeks. I was worried about getting them at this time, but the man made me a deal. He offered a free upgrade to 17" rims. I told him that was fine and would like it, but I had 2 new 16" tires and was going to buy the other 2. He then talks to his boss and makes me a deal on 4 new tires at half price. WOW, how could I refuse to do the upgade with this good of a deal. I now have the 17" tires and rims on my car and Monday it goes to get an alignment to be safe.

The vibration that I had is now gone and I can go down the highway smooth again. I hope this helps people with the same problem I had.

DodgeAvenger96 (Ryan). I just want to say thank you again for the insight of my problem.