Low speed problem!

[dbritt]

The problem I'm having is the car feels like it's wobbling almost front to back when I'm coasting in gear while I decelerate AND when I go at a slow, contant velocity (maybe at fast too, but maybe the wobble happens so fast I ignore it). There is an accompany sound of "Wumm, Wumm, Wumm" approximately 1-4 times per second (depending on speed of travel). It sounds like it's coming from the rear end...but I can't identify it. What is going on?

It would seem obvious that something is rubbing intermittently (restricting motion) causing both the sound and the tiny jerks in the driving. What would rub? Could it be something else?

TIA

 

[CurtTSI]

Sounds to me like typical "coast down rumble". Very common in AWD drive trains. Mine had it, when I bought with 35K miles and it was still the same at 81K miles. I finally learned to just ignore it.

 

[dbritt]

Is there nothing I can do to lessen/eliminate it? I can handle it, personally, but I don't like to see my passengers get thrown back and forth because they're not expecting it.

 

[CurtTSI]

I understand that it's due to slack in the drive train. I think that it can be adjusted but don't know the cost. Never bothered me enough to look into it.

 

[Nautica985]

Your drive shaft carrier bearings are probably bad and the drive shaft is hitting the under side of the car

 

[dbritt]

I found this VFAQ on how to make the play in the carrier bearings be corrected:

http://www.geocities.com/qwik93awd/Vfaq/rearendthumpfix.htm

(it's one of the least VISUAL VFAQs I've ever seen )

It says:

It should not move too freely

But it does not say what "too freely" is...mine has about 1/2" of play in any direction, is that too much?