Intermittent Vibration above 40 in Fourth...

[ek96]

Hi All

Not sure if this has been covered before or not but I seem to have an intermittent vibration through, primarily, the gear stick (although I can feel/hear it throughout the car) at above 45 mph. It does not happen every time and, when it does, if I put it into neutral and then back into fourth it seems to clear it.

Any idea what could be causing this?

Thanks

Edd

[oliver90owner]

Propshaft UJ?

[ek96]

I've given it a shake and it doesn't feel like there's any play.

I was also confused as I would have thought it would be there all the time!

What is the best way to check the UJ? As I doubt my shaking method is up to scratch!

[mogbob]

Edd
Gloves on , firm grip , either side of the joint and try to twist / turn in opposite directions. If you can feel any " play / slackness / movement " it'd probably time to renew. It will only get worse if left. ( Usual safe advice , level firm ground , jack up , put on axle stands , other wheels chocked , hand brake on , etc , etc ).

If it's going to be DIY , mark the flanges , so you can get the prop shaft back in the same orientation again. Wire brush the circlips well and douse them with WD40 or Plusgas dismantling fluid the night before. Once the old joint is out clean out the circlip groove thoroughly and get back to " clean metal " where the cups of the new joint will sit. A wipe of grease will ease correct insertion. Once it all looks settled , give the propshaft a "good luck " whack with a rubber mallet , to ensured the joint is nicely seated. The new joint should come already greased but double check this is the case. If not , then out with your grease gun. A dab of grease or copper ease , fully covering the circlips will ensure easy removal next time.
Bob
PS Have you eliminated the wheel nuts , done up tight ? , tyre pressures correct and equal, no bulges in the tyre walls, no balancing weights missing / fallen off ( look for marks on the rim , where they would have been clamped ).

[firedrake1942]

Also worth checking engine and gearbox ties. Mine got lots better when I renewed the rubbers on the first and renewed the whole gearbox tie which had actually snapped. The vibration was at about 40-45 and then seemed to disappear above / below that.

[oliver90owner]

First thing I would do is grease the UJs, if a grease nipple is fitted. If it is only intermittent it may not allow a good shake to show up a problem. If the symptom goes away (temporarily) or is reduced, it is probably time to change the UJ(s). An easy job as per mogbob.

There can be other causes, but intermittent and rectified by coating points to the prop. Do as firedrake suggests, but not everything at the same time - or you won't know what cured it, if the problem disappears!

Does the vibration remain, or clear, if you only depress the clutch and coast, then engage the drive again?

[Budgie]

I mentioned something similar on a recent post and it turned out to be the universal joints on the prop shaft .I had changed the front one after I had reconditioned the gearbox back in January and felt a slight play when the prop shaft was off the car and in my hands. Put everything back and I noticed a "rumbling and slight vibration" in the gearstick which was not there prior to the gearbox rebuild. So off with the prop shaft, new uj for the rear and bob's your uncle all's well and vibration / rumble free again. btw the play was very insignificant but enough to cause the issues.

[ek96]

Thank you all very much for your swift and helpful replies, I'll start with the engine steady as it's looking a little tired and see if that makes a difference. If there is no difference then I will investigate the propshaft UJ.

Stay tuned!