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need help with vibration

1.4K views 5 replies 6 participants last post by  Verle  
#1 ·
I have a couple vibrations.
First one I feel in the gas pedal at higher speeds >60mph. It's a rotational vibe. I was thinking it could be the driveshaft or the universal joints in the shaft. Is that something I should do or am I looking in the wrong direction.


Second vibe is more of a shake. At low speeds <20mph the car seems to shake slowly. I would relate it to a feeling like walking with one foot shorter than the other if that makes any sense. Maybe a front wheel is loose? This shake can be felt in the steering wheel. I was thinking of looking at all the steering linkages but am unsure of that one too.

I know vibes are hard to figure out but I am hoping someone had a similar experience and could give some insite.
BTW it is a 72 Chevelle 4dr.
Thanks
B
 
#2 ·
Being a low speed shake check your tires first. Are there any tires that look like a belt is separated? You will be able to see a bulge in the tread. Rotate the tires front to rear first. Drive it and see what happens. Start with the low speed first, it may be the whole problem.

Keep us posted.
 
#3 ·
Being a low speed shake check your tires first. Are there any tires that look like a belt is separated? You will be able to see a bulge in the tread. Rotate the tires front to rear first. Drive it and see what happens. Start with the low speed first, it may be the whole problem.


x2:thumbsup:
 
#4 ·
most of the time if its a driveline/u-joint it will come in at slower speed than 60. also most of the time when you let off of the gas pedal it will go away,then when you tip in the throttle it will start to come back...check your tires first though.....If it is a u-joint the d/shaft can be removed and pivot the u-joints if they have any type of binding or "sticky" spot they are bad..
 
#5 ·
The high speed one will be tough. It could be anything from the clutch to an out of balance wheel. Since the wheels are the easiest to fix, the first thing I would try is to rotate them and see if the vibration changes. The universal joints should be tight. If there is any free play in then change them out. A trick to try with the drive shaft is to put a couple of hose clamps on it. By rotating the clamps relative to each other, you can add or subtract weight. Try it on each end and see if it helps. The clutch would be a last resort for obvious reasons.

The low speed shake is likely a tire tread. Jack them up and spin them making sure the tread tracks true.

Good luck,

Tom
 
#6 ·
I am suspicious to start off with since you have both low and high speed problems.
As stated above the slow speed problem is probably a tire.

Does it feel like one end of the car is moving side to side at slow speed or up and down.

Side to side suggests a tire with crooked tread.
Up and down suggests a tire with a separated tread or a bubble.

Either will be visible upon inspection of the tire. If it is on the front, jack up the front and spin the tires. You will be able to see the problem, a wobble or an out of round.

If you find any visible problem like that, don't drive the car, the tire is unsafe!

You will probably find both slow and high speed problems are related to the same tire.

To continue diagnosis of the problem:

As a start on high speed vibration you need to determine if it is drive train or engine.

Drive at the speed where you feel the vibration, put the transmission in neutral and let the engine idle.
If the vibration goes away it is engine.
If the vibration is still there it is drive train.

You did not say if it is automatic or standard.

If standard, did you balance the clutch and flywheel?

If the vibration is drive train, start with the easy ones first, tire balance..... see above.