Vibration and drumming noise

[andyg916]

My 69 Traveller has started to make a load vibrating noise from the engine area front end, when taking foot off accelerator from speeds of around 50mph. No noticeble vibration through steering though. Any help would be appreciated as this is my forray into Moggy ownership having wanted one for years! Now realising that there's more to it than I expected!! Still she drives great and is my main transport now so I better start getting upto speed on keeping her in good order!

Great club and great forum.<br><br>

[bmcecosse]

Welcome to the forum - so it runs fine, no vibration - pulling well (?) until you lift off ?

[PSL184]

Mine vibrates due to an unbalanced prop which is much worse when I lift off but it is there when running along too...

[cormorant]

I expect you have checked the engine steady and the gearbox steady cable are both ok? Also engine and gearbox mountings look ok?

Engine steady can fracture on these cars. Steady cable sometimes missing altogether. Rubber mountings can perish. Often the exhaust then starts blowing as the engine wobbles around and the exhaust to manifold joint comes loose.

[Peetee]

Is the exhaust making contact where it exits the engine bay? perhaps one of the exhaust mounts is past it's best.

[andyg916]

wow lots of things for me to look at. many thanks for the replies. I may need some help understanding some of the things to look at, as I never heard of these stays mentioned, better get the manuals out!!!! but I'll let you know what I find.

Andy

[mike.perry]

The engine steady is the bar connecting the back of the engine to the bottom of the battery box. The battery box end often breaks.
The gearbox steady cable is underneath the car between the front of the gearbox and the gearbox cross member. This should be just tight and it stops the fan touching the radiator under heavy braking.
Also check that the silencer is not touching the floor underneath and the tail pipe is not touching the chassis cross member.
Check the propshaft UJs and the bolts onto the diff.

[Bazzalucas]

My TR4 did that, and a check of the propshaft revealed that the bolts and nuts that held them to the trans output shaft and the differential were becoming loose. Replaced the lot with new, and self-locking nuts, and never had it again.

[PSL184]

Honestly I would not expect a broken steady bar or gearbox cable to induce a bad vibration. A faulty engine / gearbox mount, yes but I would seriously look to the propshaft first for either loose bolts or damage from someone previously jacking the car up on it. Raise the car on axle stands and chock the front wheels firmly. Start engine and put into 1st gear. Let it run whilst you look underneath at the prop rotation and also check the diff flange for ovality. Whilst under there make sure the prop yokes are pumped full of grease and not siezed up.

[mike.perry]

Maybe the steady bar and cable would not cause vibration but it is a good excuse to check them anyway..