Vibration felt through whole car

Toxic wrote: As for tyres....any recommendations as to what people use?

Tom

I replaced mine a few months ago and got Pirelli P7's.  Not overly impressed.  Seems like the consumption has dropped off by about 1.5 mpg and they don't feel quite as communicative.  Having said that, I can't be sure that tracking isn't contributing to the problem a bit.

I had the Conti's before these and they felt better.  Goodyear Eagles seem to be recommended here by many as well.

TJ pointed me to Rathcormac Tyres (025) 36301, near Fermoy and their prices were excellent.  Couldn't beat them with Dave McCann or Eiretyres (the other outfits recommended this side of the pond).

I missed out on some of this thread earlier.  My cat is has been on the way out and last week started to sound like a tin of marbles so I'll need to get that done.  Did you get the bits for that yourself or did your service guy?  What sort of cost did that come to.  I'm hoping its not going to be as eye watering as KBannon's!

Toxic,

I have had the front lower control arms and bushes replaced and it was better. I  have been asking on forums if they had upper ones and I guess you have answered that! How much are you being charged? I will have mine done too ..

Andrew, ya I have those wheels.  I believe they are called Style 33.  I thought the OEM tyres were Dunlop SP Sport 2000, maybe thats for the cars with the M setup?  Thanks for the info on the Conti's.  I think I have them on the back, but I have Firestone directionals on the front and they are not in great shapes.

brybusa wrote: Any more progress Tom?

I got a 2nd opinion this morning.  Also thinks I'm over reacting but it's there.  OK, what we found was...my cat is still not centered down the middle of the underneath of the car so it is slightly rubbing off the heat shield.  Until I get this rectified, there is no point looking around for another vibration.  However, we found that the back box when it was shaked, had rattles in it where the baffles are breaking down.  2nd opinion reckons the baffles hopping around in there at about 2,500 rpm could contribute to a vibration from revving.

Also, jacked up all 4 corners separately and rotated the tyres by hand.  Noticed 3 out of 4 of them had slight flat spots on them about 1-2mm.  It was suggested to me to replace all 4 of them before taking it any further as he checked out every suspension component and they all were sound.

I think my next step is to get the back box replaced, the cat straightened and centred at the same time and take it from there. 

As for tyres....any recommendations as to what people use?

I bought 2 tyres for the other car yesterday in Northern Ireland while I was up there (205/60/16) for £59 each (€87). Dunlop SP Sport 2000.  Closest price on eiretyres for similar tyre was €115 and then it will cost you an extra €10 to fit.

I'm thinking of next time I am up in Derry (April), I'll get the 4 tyres up there then and save a packet...

Cheapest from Eiretyres for Dunlop SP 9000 is €140 each and SP 2000 is €205 each.

I think I got a quote for SP 8000's at €130 each inc. fitting.

Edited by Toxic

 

Car was dropped back to me last night by the indy after the new cat & throttle cable were installed.

What a difference the new cable made…!!!

Took the car for a short drive last night and it appears the vibration has gone down quite a bit and the cat is much quieter.  However, this morning when I started it from cold, it sounded like a tractor and the exhaust was about to fall off.  Checked underneath and everything looked ok, and after about 2 mins and 100yds down the road the noise disappeared.  Whatever it was, it went away when it heated up a little.  Started it up again there earlier and same story again.  Something loose on cold….needs to go back for a quick inspection on the ramp on Monday and a good drive then to see if any improvement has been made in the vibration department.

When I've had a worn wheel bearing it's made a sort of moaning noise
when taking a bend at speed, but only in one direction, ie if it moaned
through a left hander it was one of the right -side bearings.

Thia is probably way off, but I wondered if the difference in vibration on
different surfaces could be due to resonance in a tyre if it was
significantly over/under inflated? Just a guess.

Vibration coming thru' the floor pan usaully IS the exhaust coming loose....

Get it up on a ramp and check it before throwing £££££ away...

Andrew Rolland wrote: Tom I don't know if you have taken steps on this before or know its not a factor but not wanting to worry you, could the engine vibration be a result of the dreaded Nikasil issue?  This might explain the vibration when stationary but not the vibration as a result of hitting a pothole. Hmm. The only other thing I could think of that might produce a high frequency vibration at speed might be a worn wheel bearing (or damaged one after hitting the pothole) and with a combination of possibly worn suspension bushes allowing metal to metal contact and hence the vibration felt thru the car body.  This effect may be exaggerated immediately after hitting a new pothole and then settle down once the suspension components move about to their 'normal' positions afterwards. Best of luck at the indy.  Keep us posted Andrew

Andrew, I'm thinking along the line that it might be a bearing but I'm told you would be deafened if the bearing was gone....

As far as the Nikasil thing, I'm not losing any oil between serice (8k miles) probably a litre, so I should be ok there? Right?

Edited by Toxic

Alex,

I have a feeling I have 2 problems.  One vibration coming from revving the engine, whether it be from bad engine/gearbox mounts or exhaust vibration.

2nd is from driving the car.  Reason I say this is I can feel a vibration through the floor pan sitting at idle and gradually raising the revs.  2,000rpm seems to be where it kicks in.  There is no vibration seen on the sun visor or passenger headrest at this time.

However driving at 70-80, the headrest and sunvisor can be seen to vibrate.

I'm going down to my local independent tomorrow and he is going to give me 4 wheels to put on the car and see if they make any difference.  If they do, then the garage that supoosed to have balanced the wheels last for me didn't do it right.

I'll also have a good poke around with thim under the bonnet and try to convince him of the vibration.

My vibration only seemed to happen after I hit that pothole.  I replaced the tyre & wheel and got the wheels balanced and 4 wheel alignment, but no improvement.

I still suspect some suspension bushing wear, so with teh wheels off tomorrow, I'll get his opinion on the bushings and their condition.

Update tomorrow evening.

Toxic wrote: Also, in a stopped position, I revved the car slowly up to 4,500rpm and the vibrations can also be felt up thro the accelerator & clutch pedal. I'm baffled as to what might be causing it....

replacing the bushings and arms in the rear wont help a vibration if it vibrates when stopped, as you have said above! maybe it is worse when driving, BUT if you do have a vibration when stopped and revving, i would tend to assume these are somehow one in the same thing!!  so i would still start with your engine/gearbox mounts!!

unless, the vibration when sanding still is simply a 'rattle' from a loose cat/exhaust/heat shield etc...