Vibration at speed

[prlee]

I have a slight problem with my car at speed, there is a vibration between 68ish and 73ish mph.

This is a high frequency vibration through the car, felt on the seats, gear stick and steering.

I have had the front wheels balanced (the rocking of the steering wheels has now gone) and the tracking adjusted. The problem is reduced but still there. I am sure it wasn't there when I last drove the car 2 years ago.

The suspension has been completely rebuilt and upgraded since then.

Any ideas?

Pete
81 DHC (MOT and tax, nearly finished)
79 Spitfire (big hole found in floor)

[PeterTR7V8]

Drive at 67mph. Otherwise check your wheel bearings. The only time I've had something like this was when the bevel ring was spinning in the hub. You will need to disassemble the hub & remove the bearing to check this. Not too hard to do but it will mean a new hub if this is the problem. Go thru a few more checks first tho. Does the vibration occur when you brake? Is it the same in 4th as well as 5th? Are the bearings loose or worn?



The map: http://tinyurl.com/wedgemap . The blog: http://www.forum.triumphtr7.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8548

[busheytrader]

You said the wheels have been balanced but have you got the same set of wheels and tyres on the car as before?

Adam



TR7 V8 DHC Jaguar Solent Blue. 9.35cr Range Rover V8, Holley 390cfm, JWR Dual Port, 214 Cam, Lumention, Tubular Manifolds, S/S Single Pipe Exh, 3.08 Rear, 200lb Spax & PolyBushes all round, Anti- Dive, Strut-Top Roller Bearings, Capri Vented Discs & Calipers, Braided Hoses, 4 Speed Rear Cylinders, Uprated Master Cylinder & Servo, AT 14" 5 Spokes or Maestro Turbo 15" Alloys, Cruise Lights, S/S Heater Pipes, Replacement Fuel Tank. No Door Stickers. Mine since July 1986, V8 from 1991

[Hasbeen]

Pete, I have had something similar twice over the years.

The first time it was the tail shaft out of balance. The tail shaft people thought it may have thrown a weight. It had a slight bend, but they reckoned most of them did.

The second time was for a few miles before a back tyre threw a large chunk out of the tread. I then had a large vibration, until I stopped.

A mate of mine told me he had a funny vibration when the mechanic gave his car back to him, with the wheel nuts, on one back wheel only finger tight.

Hasbeen

[RadioGuy]

Same thing here Hasbeen; drive shaft threw a weight on a 1969 428CJ Cougar convertible, in my case it got progressively worse as the speed went up..FWIW




Maintained on Saturday…Drive on Fun-Day !!! 1976 FHC - 1980 DHC

[prlee]

The front wheels and tyres are as before, new rear tyres (avons).

Car has just passed its MOT a at very reputable garage so I wasn't suspecting wheel bearings. I have had a similar noise on my modern car which turned out to be the tyres, could this be down to the new rear tyres?

Braking does not seem to affect it.

I wil check the rear wheel nuts.

The tracking was way out I was told.

Pete
81 DHC (MOT and tax, nearly finished)
79 Spitfire (big hole found in floor)

[prlee]

Had a good session on the car this weekend.

Fitted new Mintex brake pads to try and improve the braking until I can go for the upgrade next spring.

Serviced the n/s rear brake now I have a technique to remove the drum thanks to JClay.

When I removed the front wheels I am sure one of the wheel nuts wasn't tight. I made sure the nuts properly located the wheels. swapped the rear wheels over noting there was i large weight on the inside of each wheel.

Glued some pieces of trim in place.

Realigned the headlamp pods better - o/s has some sturdy washers to bring the pod a little more forward and give a uniform gap. I had done this on the n/s but this was a little too much and the rubber cover was touching the front metalwork, unfortunatly now I have moved this pod it makes an odd noise on lifting, nothing is rubbing though so this needs more investgation.

I was also able to flat back the front wings and front panel and resprayed them from one of the aerosols I had prepared when I last ordered some paint. This has given an acceptable finish for the time being. I was then able to replace the front grill.

The vibration I had at just under 70 is much reduced, the wobble on the steering wheel is also gone. I think fitting the front wheels properly has made a difference, I dont think refitting the front grill would have had an effect. I may have the rears rebalanced.

I now have just under 1000 miles on her simce the MOT 3 weeks ago, she seems to be getting between 32 and 34 mpg which seems very good.

The list of things to do is now getting much smaller.

I am unsure about the rear suspension. I have the uprated lowered springs from S&S (via Rimmers) The ride can be a bit harsh with some pot holes send a bit thud thorugh the car which seems a bit exessive, I am not sure if this is the shocks which are set on the softest setting or just the firmness of the the springs. The front seems ok and the handling is much improved but I find the ride maybe a little of the hard side of comfortable. Time will tell.

Pete
81 DHC (MOT and tax, nearly finished)
79 Spitfire (big hole found in floor)

[Bobbieslandy]

I've also got a slight problem with vibration at speed. At around 110mph, the windscreen wipers do a couple of sweeps every few seconds. This is embarrasing when overtaking as it looks like you don't know where your indicator stalk is[8D]

[prlee]

I often squirt my windscreen washers angrily at other cars when they cut me up. Doesn't seem to have much of an impact.[:D]

Pete
81 DHC (MOT and tax, nearly finished)
79 Spitfire (big hole found in floor)