General Maintenance & Repairs Leaks | Squeaks | Clunks | Rattles | Grinds

Vibration at high speeds

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-06-2005, 02:23 PM
  #1  
TECH Addict
Thread Starter
iTrader: (25)
 
DopdBrd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Garden City, KS
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Vibration at high speeds!!

Ok my car vibrated really bad at around 85-90 when i first got it. Well I replaced my driveshaft with one out of an LS1, now it still does it but it doesn't really start until above 100. Well, could my driveshaft need to be rebalanced??? Should I maybe replace my wheel bearings??? Any info please.
Old 02-06-2005, 03:52 PM
  #2  
On The Tree
 
1BadpurpleLT1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: St.Louis, Mo
Posts: 112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Could be unbalanced tires to. I would check the balance on that driveshaft to.
Old 02-06-2005, 04:52 PM
  #3  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (12)
 
Shawn MacAnanny's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Delaware
Posts: 2,105
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Could be unbalanced tires, or loose lug nuts. I just found my front lug nuts were loose the other day when i felt a vibration and thumping abover 20mph. I also had a bad constant vibraiton before i replaced the wheels. Once i replaced the front wheels everything was when i tightened the lug nuts. steers straight and no vibrations.
Old 02-06-2005, 04:55 PM
  #4  
Launching!
 
outdooricon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Blaine, MN
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I would say it's your driveshaft again. I would check into rebalancing it. Otherwise, check the wear on the innnermost part of your tires and see how it is. That could give you a good indication on if they're unbalanced.
Old 02-06-2005, 08:34 PM
  #5  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (3)
 
Snow Dog's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 895
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

if your lowered you may need to get your pinion angle corrected. id check the tire balance and ds balance first though. not all lowered cars have this problem
Old 02-07-2005, 03:59 AM
  #6  
Staging Lane
 
Rare4thgens's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Detroit area (Waterford)
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Most likely the driveshaft since worped rotors or tires out of balance would pulsate at lower speeds. Tires will also cancel themselves out periodically leaving a smooth spot inbetween the shaking. I think all the LS1 cars got the aluminum shaft with the better yoke which dealt with this prob (you guys will tell me). If it is an aluminum shaft, yeah, get it ballanced and enjoy. I had the same exact prob (right at 90) and bought a new one for my 94. After that it was smooth sailing up 150+ (so far not enough road for more).

-Jon
Old 02-07-2005, 04:00 AM
  #7  
Staging Lane
 
Rare4thgens's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Detroit area (Waterford)
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

oh I am lowered (owned 2 cars that were so far) from the factory and that won't cause vibration, only wheel hop with sticky tires.

-Jon
Old 02-07-2005, 08:16 AM
  #8  
TECH Addict
Thread Starter
iTrader: (25)
 
DopdBrd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Garden City, KS
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Well I Work At A Tire And Wheel Shop And Ive Been There For 5 Years, I Put On The Wheels And Tires And Balanced Them So That Is Not The Problem. As Far As Getting The Driveshaft Rebalanced Ill Do That. Thanks Everyone
Old 02-07-2005, 12:26 PM
  #9  
Teching In
 
900DollarZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Lowered from the factory?

OIC. 1LE's have different springs?
Old 02-07-2005, 01:04 PM
  #10  
Teching In
 
B-Craig's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

In the case of your original begin replaced. You may need to look at replacing the front bearing on the pinion. I believe that the vibration from the previous driveshaft may have cause some premature wear and damage to that bearing. I have seen this before on a friends car. Once we replaced it the vibration was gone. His situation was almost identical to yours.
Old 02-07-2005, 07:10 PM
  #11  
TECH Resident
iTrader: (3)
 
Snow Dog's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 895
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

1LE cars arent lowered from the factory they just have different spring rates amoung other things. dont be so sure that your pinion angle wont cause a vibration problem.

http://frrax.com/rrforum/index.php?a...&hl=vibration&

i promise that car in question sees sustained high speeds more often than anyone else on here.
Old 02-10-2005, 05:17 PM
  #12  
Teching In
 
72novass327's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

You definately need a Wheel Alignment!!
Old 02-11-2005, 03:13 AM
  #13  
Launching!
 
LT1 Guy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: kansas
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

if you're experiencing vibration at speeds greater than 90 mph, i am thinking it's because your yokes have been mounted a bit off-center.
Old 02-11-2005, 08:52 AM
  #14  
TECH Addict
Thread Starter
iTrader: (25)
 
DopdBrd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Garden City, KS
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

LT1 GUY where are at in kansas????
Old 02-11-2005, 05:01 PM
  #15  
TECH Enthusiast
 
LTSpeed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Anna, OH
Posts: 607
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

If the driveshaft is brand new, you'd see the following...

D/S Type** Dia (in) Mat'l Critical Speed (rpm)
Lingenfelter 3.50 Aluminum 13,252
LS1 3.00 Aluminum 11,292
1LE (Gen III) 2.75 Aluminum 10,312
LT1/L98 2.50 Steel 9,724

When the driveshaft is at it's critical speed, it will resonate (vibrate) and there is nothing you can do about it. In reality it's very difficult to hit the critical speed. For example...

A 4L60E in 4th @ 4800rpm turns the shaft at only 6857, which is 163mph,
A T56 in 5th @ 7200rpm turns the shaft at 9600, going 180mph.

Obviously, these are way above the speeds you're talking about. Keep in mind that if the shaft or joints are unbalanced for any reason, you'll get vibration way below these numbers.

**Disclaimer: I've made some assumptions to compute this that may or may not be 100% accurate. These figures should provide some sense of the relative performance of these common driveshafts.
Old 02-15-2005, 09:20 PM
  #16  
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
Hybrid86Z's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: HEB, TX
Posts: 135
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

another thing to look at is see if your axles are still straight and true. hard launches may sometimes "tweak" 'em a bit.

best way to find out is put it on a dyno and have a guy on each side to watch the rear tires rotate and high speeds.
Old 02-16-2005, 03:32 PM
  #17  
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (53)
 
dhdenney's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Monticello, Kentucky
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I think all cars are going to be a little shaky at 100 mph. I wouldn't worry about it.



Quick Reply: Vibration at high speeds



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:29 PM.