Front end vibration gurus

Discussion in 'Technical' started by Roadeater, Oct 4, 2012.

  1. Roadeater

    Roadeater Warrior of the Wasteland

    I'm embarrassed to admit that I have a vibration :eek:

    Between 90kph - 125kph there is a vibration through the steering wheel that I've done everything I can think of to make disappear. Before and after those speeds she is silky smooth.

    I've changed suspension, tie rod ends, brake discs and tyres/rims (obviously balanced).

    The vibration was there before the changes and is still there afterwards, identical.

    I'm happy to do +125kph all day long, but I'm the only one who thinks that is a good idea.

    Please advise.
     
  2. frysie

    frysie FRYTECH

    How's your centre bearing going ?
     
  3. Roadeater

    Roadeater Warrior of the Wasteland

    Assuming you mean on the tail shaft?

    Suspect, to say the least.
     
  4. black baz

    black baz black 'n blue Bazemy

    OPTION 1: just remove the 6 cartons of booze from the boot .... front wheels will then make contact with the tarmac, eliminating the vibrations .....

    OPTION 2. Remove the super charged Vibrator that you have hidden in the engine bay ...

    easy peasy .... just hit the "thanks" button ... NOW !!!!
     
  5. frysie

    frysie FRYTECH

    less bass ?
     
  6. Roadeater

    Roadeater Warrior of the Wasteland

    You guys have just made my night! LOL'ing so hard my face is making itself into a pretzel.

    Truth be told though, Baz, I haven't been able to drink for over 6 months due to illness, hence the old happier Roadeater seeming far more grumpy these days. OMG how I miss my nightly 6-pack!

    And Frysie, I had the vibration prior to the bass. :rofl:
     
  7. frysie

    frysie FRYTECH

    you might want to check your pants then.... this could be bad.... very bad.

    Jack the car up and see if there is any play in the shaft.

    no im not referring to that sheila in the pub.
     
  8. Roadeater

    Roadeater Warrior of the Wasteland

    Wait, what? how bad? Why bad? You're making me really nervous!

    I have known I needed to replace centre bearing on tail shaft for a while, but do you think it's really the cause of my front end vibes?
     
  9. ryzan

    ryzan Moderator Staff Member

    Pffffft centre bearing won't cause a wobble through the front wheels. You will feel a centre bearing through your seat.

    The fact that it starts at 90kmh makes me think it's a balance issue, does it go away above 125? Trusted mechanic balancing the wheels? Wouldn't be the first time a monkey in a tyre shop couldn't balance a wheel properly. What are your front wheel bearings like? Had a wheel alignment done? How out of spec (if at all) is the front end?
     
  10. OZX_320

    OZX_320 Detachable Member

    The cause is quite simple-

    when you pee, do you not shake off any excess afterwards?

    I couldnt help but notice your veilside front bar. Its quite clear that your front end is merely trying to rid itself from any unslightly, and potentially embarrassing remnants.

    That, or check wheel balance. Vibrating centre bearing usually dissipates after 80km/hr. Recently changed out a rather suspect unit on my 2+2. Vibration was felt between 60-80km/hr, and was that severe, it was felt through the entire car, steering included.
     
  11. TWIN TERROR

    TWIN TERROR Well-Known Member

    If you are feeling it through the steering wheel i would start with wheel bearings. Make sure the split pin is in the nut on the stub axle. Next look at the tie rods all the way back to the rack ends including the rack mount bolts. Swap wheels rear to front and see if the vibration goes to the rear . Also a stupid one i have had my self is a piece of tape stuck to a tyre causing a bad vibration. A crack in a wheel. Shot bushes or bent .
    Thats all i can think of.
     
  12. Roadeater

    Roadeater Warrior of the Wasteland

    Yeah, I've noted the tiny vibration through the seat which I attribute to centre bearing, but the front end vibe is completely a different feel and frequency. Silky smooth below 90kph and silky smooth after 125kph. Havn't thought about wheel alignment as it tracks true and smooth outside of that range. I'll do the wheel bearings.

    I sit down to pee and then use a sheet to dry off, except when outside, I remain standing facing away from the desert winds, then turn around for a minute.

    I'll do the bearings.

    Thanks, Dave.

    I'll do the bearings.
     
  13. stumagoo

    stumagoo Active Member

    personally I would have the wheel bearings checked first (while I think the least likely they are the easiest and cheapest to check) then I would look at whell balance and alignment. As stated by others that just because they were done and paid for you would not be the first to have not got a good job done. - I personally saw a car that came straight to my house from having the wheel alignment done and still had mud/dirt caked all over the lock nuts on the tierods. not to mention the car was still pulling to one side. Also check the wheel nuts are correctly torqued up. You have no idea how many front wheels I have found to be vibrating due to this lovely issue.

    Finally is it possible for the tension rods to cause this. (I do not know myself - I know mine are dying but the only vibration I have in my car is the centre bearing).
     
  14. Roadeater

    Roadeater Warrior of the Wasteland

    I see what you're all saying (and I will most definitely do the bearings) but as previously stated these are different rims/new tyres, suspension and discs, but the vibration is absolutely identical in every way to before all changes were made to the front end.

    I'll do the wheel bearings. Cheers, Stu.
     
  15. Brock32

    Brock32 Active Member

    Have you hit any kerbs or similar.

    See if you can try a different set of wheels and see if the problem still exists.

    One of your wheels might be out of round .
     
  16. Roadeater

    Roadeater Warrior of the Wasteland

    No kerbs that I've ever hit, not sure about the previous owner but there is no sign of any damage throughout chassis as I've studied the underside/wheel arches a lot lately.

    Ideas are all welcome. Thanks Brock.

    People seem to miss the points that I've changed most everything yet the vibration is identical before and after.

     
  17. MAX

    MAX Ex Zedder

    Long shot but could be king pin bushes. Not cheap though, exhaust other sus items first.

    Also as mentioned swap the wheels round. Could be damaged wheel or flat spot on the tyre. You can balance an out of round tyre/wheel/drive shaft. Soon as it hits the road you will feel the effect though.
     
  18. Roadeater

    Roadeater Warrior of the Wasteland

    Thanks Max, I'll refer to this thread in future and do the bushes if the rest fails.

    Seriously though, I think people aren't getting the idea that these are:

    • Brand new tyres all around (50km's max of gentle driving)
    • Different rims
    • Wheels balanced by Tyre Power (reputable one would hope?)
    • Brand new suspension
    • brand new tie rod ends
    • Brand new brake discs

    And I'll underline and emphasize once more - the vibration is exactly identical in every way before the

    • Brand new tyres all around (50km's max of gentle driving)
    • Different rims
    • Wheels balanced by Tyre Power (reputable one would hope?)
    • Brand new suspension
    • brand new tie rod ends
    • Brand new brake discs

    Were all done!

    Now I'll just think people are taking the piss if these factors are mentioned again. :rofl: Ok, so what of the odds of the rims being bent in the exact same way as the last ones? And the odds of a flat spot in new tyres? And that 2 different sets of rims - balanced - can be both out in the same way?

    Mathematicians?

    I'll do the wheel bearings.
     
  19. stumagoo

    stumagoo Active Member

    so next thing to do is see if the vibration is rev based (maybe engine mounts or something attached to the engine) or speed based, once at a speed where the vibration kicks in (lowest appropriate speed that is) drop down a gear and see if the vibrations frequency changes. if it does then forget all the comments on balancing the wheels etc.

    Looking also at the speeds concerned I would defer to those more knowledgable and ask is it possible the HICAS is causing this in some way.
     
  20. Roadeater

    Roadeater Warrior of the Wasteland

    On it. Back soon! :br:
     

Share This Page