4L60E - Vibration in 3rd only...
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 180
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From: Tennessee
4L60E - Vibration in 3rd only... I have a 99 TA with 124k on the clock. The car is stock except for a k&n and an SLP lid. Picked it up a few months ago so I am just listing all its bugs and putting a hit list together. First off, the transmission shifts and locks up just fine. However, I have noticed a vibration the comes in when the trans shifts into 3rd. The vibration goes away when it shifts into 4th and is not there in 1st or 2nd. I have noticed the vibration both when driving easy and when running it all out.
When I got the car, the transmount was busted, so I put a poly one in. At first, I thought this was the cause for the vibration, but I doubt it would only be in 3rd then. The vibration is noticable, but not severe at this point, though the faster you are going, the worse it is.
I know transmissions are fun to diagnose over the internet, but any ideas on what type of problem I may be looking at?
When I got the car, the transmount was busted, so I put a poly one in. At first, I thought this was the cause for the vibration, but I doubt it would only be in 3rd then. The vibration is noticable, but not severe at this point, though the faster you are going, the worse it is.
I know transmissions are fun to diagnose over the internet, but any ideas on what type of problem I may be looking at?
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Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Just outside of Springfiled Missouri.
I have a 99 ta also, it has the same problem, i would check the front and rear u joints on the drive line, thats what fixed mine.
I agree since I cant imagine anything that would cause a vibration in the transmission in third only
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
Do a search on "vibration" in this forum. There have been a few threads on this over the years. 3rd gear only - it may defy explanation, but it's pretty common. I have it.
Tech Resident
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,117
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From: Philly
i have a vibration in my car in 4th gear when it's locked up at exactly 50 mph. i have no idea what the hell it is. 45 mph it's quiet. when i accelerate locked up from 49-51 i get a weird sounding rattle from directly under the console (so it sounds) and then it goes away. hate to hijack, but have any of you guys had this problem, too?
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Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 180
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From: Tennessee
Thank you for all the replies. Sad as it sounds, I am glad I am not alone 
Guess I will take a crack at new u-joints. I have re-done aluminum shaft that was slated for my 98, I guess I will give it a test in the 99 for kicks.
I was looking to put a stall convertor in but the vibration was conserning me.
Guess I will take a crack at new u-joints. I have re-done aluminum shaft that was slated for my 98, I guess I will give it a test in the 99 for kicks.
I was looking to put a stall convertor in but the vibration was conserning me.
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Verdad Gallardo Good luck sorry could not give a more definative answer
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Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Tennessee
Originally Posted by performabuilt
Good luck sorry could not give a more definative answer
Thats ok, thats for any info. I was half expecting to hear, "yeah, mine did that then blow up". lol
I know I will be needing a new transmission in the near future, I just hope it gives me time to research what transmission I want...
Wanted to mark this thread. I know it's old. LOL
I didn't realize that vibrations could occur in 3rd gear mainly b/c the trans. is at a 1:1 ratio. Makes sense though since everything will be turning together at the same rate of speed.
I guess you do learn something new everyday!
I didn't realize that vibrations could occur in 3rd gear mainly b/c the trans. is at a 1:1 ratio.
Makes sense though since everything will be turning together at the same rate of speed. I guess you do learn something new everyday!
TECH Regular
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 420
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From: Ricerville
Yep. Mine does the same thing, but intermittently. I'll be cruising at about 60 or so with it in OD and the TCC locked, then I'll punch it to make it downshift into 3rd. Sometimes it vibrates until it hits 4th, sometimes it doesn't. I suspect a bad transmission mount in my case as it is also doing other things to make me think the mount is shot.
One thing to help is moving your Torque arm mount off your tranny and get a brace that holds it. If you drag race your car the torque arm puts alot of stress on your trans and poly mount.
I have a 99 TA with 124k on the clock. The car is stock except for a k&n and an SLP lid. Picked it up a few months ago so I am just listing all its bugs and putting a hit list together. First off, the transmission shifts and locks up just fine. However, I have noticed a vibration the comes in when the trans shifts into 3rd. The vibration goes away when it shifts into 4th and is not there in 1st or 2nd. I have noticed the vibration both when driving easy and when running it all out.
When I got the car, the transmount was busted, so I put a poly one in. At first, I thought this was the cause for the vibration, but I doubt it would only be in 3rd then. The vibration is noticable, but not severe at this point, though the faster you are going, the worse it is.
I know transmissions are fun to diagnose over the internet, but any ideas on what type of problem I may be looking at?
When I got the car, the transmount was busted, so I put a poly one in. At first, I thought this was the cause for the vibration, but I doubt it would only be in 3rd then. The vibration is noticable, but not severe at this point, though the faster you are going, the worse it is.
I know transmissions are fun to diagnose over the internet, but any ideas on what type of problem I may be looking at?
I think it would be your yokes from the driveshaft. When I changed my tranny it made that sound. I went back to see what was wrong. I saw the yokes and one of them was a tad of like the thickness of a quarter. I put it all the way down and the vibration stopped. 10 months go buy and I get it again. but this time it was the transmission mount. Its a two piece but I took out one of them installed a long bolt I bought at the hardware store and put like no bullshit 25 washers and a big *** nut and torque it all I could. Dont do this tho. I just thought I will put it out there. I was at the track when I encountered this problem so I was looking for an easy fix.
gl 
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 65
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From: upstate NY
Anyone ever figure this out? My car has done the 3rd gear vibe since I bought it in '06. Worse under load, if you are on it hard, it shakes pretty bad. I have since moved the torque arm off the transmission, and replaced the stock steel driveshaft (came with the 2.73 gears) with an aluminum one off a B4C Camaro. No change- did GM screw up balancing them from the factory?
