Posted September 3, 20168 yr Hi All, I'm trying to solve an issue with serious vibration along the drive tunnel, into the rear of the car and felt in the base/back of the drivers seat (55mph+). The previous owner made me aware of this and he tried changing the prop to a higher spec single piece and the wheels with no success. Following observations and checks have been done: 1) Prop has been checked and balanced 2) Wheels checked and balanced (slight buckle in both rears) 3) Spigot rings are ok and correct fitment 4) Wheels are on securely and have been torqued 5) Subframe is mounted by solid mount rather than poly bushes 6) There does sound like a whining noise coming from the rear of the car, it has been suggested to me that there could be something wrong with the diff. 7) Starts at 55mph and appears worse when accelerating/decelerating I have sourced an original 2 piece prop which I will be picking up soon, the only things I can think to try are replacing the solid mounts with poly bushes and getting a replacement diff. Whilst on the subject of the diff, I understand if I change the TT diff for an NA diff in a TT car, it will increase pickup but reduce top end speed due to gearing ratio? Is this something anyone else has experience of and would it be advisable? Kind regards James
September 3, 20168 yr I've got a TT diff here if you want it. :thumbup1: There were apparently no issues with it when it was removed from the car it was on (not mine).
September 3, 20168 yr solid sub frame /diff mounts you will hear the diff whine a little in the car thats normal
September 3, 20168 yr if there is a buckle in the rear wheel even when balanced up that still could cause vibration swop the rear wheel to the front and front to the rear as a test to see if the vibration changes place
September 3, 20168 yr It maybe a stupid question....... Have you checked the engine and gearbox mounts? Is it only from 55mph upward?
September 3, 20168 yr Author Thanks to Mondo, I will have a diff and prop to try. Unfortunately the wheels are 265 on the rear and 235 fronts so I can't swap them, furthermore I don't have another set to try. Although I will be replacing the wheels at some point, I'd rather not pay £1,000 for a new set of wheels and find I still have more expensive things to fix first. I suppose the alternative would be if I can get a cheap set just to test with, don't mind spending maybe £200-£300 including tyres if anyone has any going spare they know are good? Veilside: No I haven't had the engine/gearbox checked, however it is pretty specific in it's location and yes it is only 55mph+. Although having said that, I suppose vibration can travel, are there any specific signs that would point to the engine/gearbox I should look out for? Kind regards, James
September 3, 20168 yr solid sub frame /diff mounts you will hear the diff whine a little in the car thats normal Yup, quite a noticeable increase in volume. - - - Updated - - - Have you tried rotating the prop 180' a refitting?
September 3, 20168 yr Author The prop was checked/balanced then refit, I don't know if it was refit exactly as it came out. I guess with a different prop, diff and replacing the subframe bushes it covers all aspects. Are there any specific bushes that are recommended?
September 3, 20168 yr Veilside: No I haven't had the engine/gearbox checked, however it is pretty specific in it's location and yes it is only 55mph+. Although having said that, I suppose vibration can travel, are there any specific signs that would point to the engine/gearbox I should look out for? Kind regards, James Hi James, No idea specifically, I was just thinking if the transmission or engine mounts had split then the vibration could be passed through the prop... I think the buckled rear wheels is best place to start as you know they are buckled. I would see if you can borrow as set of wheels to rule it out... Is there anyone local to you that has an old / spare set to see if it disappears at 55mph... even a set of original wheels... I have had a vibration due to rear hub having dirt that stopped the wheel sitting flush against the hub face. I also have multi fit wheels with 10 holes. 114.3 and 112...... The tyre fitting company fitted 3 wheels in the correct 114.3 holes and one wheel in the 112 holes, causing me loads of vibration as the studs weren't centred in the holes so nuts were off centre in the hole.... They also forgot to fit my spigot ring on one wheel..... this same wheel in fact.... http://www.ebay.co.uk/gds/Spigot-Rings-Just-What-Are-They-/10000000179072609/g.html Just a couple of idea's..... maybe already thought of, but things I have come across. Russ
September 3, 20168 yr Author Hi Russ, The wheels are multi fit and the fittings had been in the wrong holes, corrected now and it made a slight improvement. The spigot rings have all been checked and the wheel is sitting flush to the hub. The vibration only starts, or at least is noticeable at 55mph+, at 70mph you really don't want to be maintaining the speed, it's pretty unnerving! But yes, I have put an ad up in the Selling/Buying section to see if I can get another set of wheels. Cheers James
September 3, 20168 yr The gear box mount is a (was) brand new Nismo mount James. I fitted it trying to eliminate the vibration. The (was) new prop was fitted trying to solve the problem. The rear subframe bushes are still the originals, they just have locking collars fitted. You could try removing them? (easy), but I don't remember them making the problem worse and I had fitted them to my first Zed without problems. Read about them here.... https://conceptzperformance.com/czp-subframe-bushing-collars-90-96-nissan-300zx-z32-czp-sf-col_p_12899.php I think look at diff, possibly driveshafts. Like I told you the car has had some 'unsympathetic' owners and that's being very polite. I'm surprised by the wheels being slightly buckled, they were also new and have done little miles. That said I wasn't happy with the quality which became apparent after a few months.
September 3, 20168 yr Author Hi Gareth, I'm hoping should have all bases covered: 1) Original 2 piece prop 2) Replacement diff 3) All new bushes and mounts (need to purchase) 4) Different wheels to test (need to source) I would imagine between those things there can't be anything else in the chain? Are there any poly bush kits you would recommend? Cheers James
September 3, 20168 yr Author Actually something else to mention, or rather query, could the buckle in the wheels be caused by standing in the garage for too long at a time? 3 weeks without movement etc? I'm not getting to drive it much at the moment and the garage floor is just standard concrete. Cheers James
September 3, 20168 yr Actually something else to mention, or rather query, could the buckle in the wheels be caused by standing in the garage for too long at a time? 3 weeks without movement etc? I'm not getting to drive it much at the moment and the garage floor is just standard concrete. Cheers James No.... more likely pot holes.... UK roads don't like alloy wheels.... especially with low profile tyres....
September 4, 20168 yr see if you can replicate the problem with the rear wheels of the ground (eg. on a 2 post lift) Have someone in the car "drive" a steady 55 mph and see if you can see/hear what could cause the vibration (eg a wheel/tire/driveshaft). ..be careful you don't come near moving parts/wheels though !! Then do the same with the rear wheels removed and see if the vibration has changed in any way. If the vibration is still there without the wheels, you could go a step further and disconnect the halfshafts to see if that changes anything. I have discovered that in some case the rear brakediscs can also cause a vibration, but this is usually only at high speeds (>180 kmh)
September 4, 20168 yr James,a customer of mine took his car to vibrationfree in Bicester so not far from you,They can analyse the whole drivetrain,He had his wheels balanced 3 times to no avail.They did them on the car and installed sensors under the car and ran it up,added 1 washer to a prop bolt, problem solved !!.£100 they charged him and his car is as smooth as silk now.
September 4, 20168 yr ^^^ Now that sounds interesting! Might be worth a shot. James, firstly I'd try removing the subframe locking collars things. This is an easy job and would be worth a try. That said, they wont be the cause of any vibration, they may just amplify them. I really don't think its the propshaft, we've both covered that. Save your effort there. Personally, I think the problem is within the rear subframe. Either the diff or driveshaft/s. And I would consider getting someone to just swap out the complete rear end with one from a breaker. The man in Doncaster I've mentioned would do this for a fair price and might have one? I don't think the wheels are the issue either, really I don't. They were bought new to eliminate this as a cause. The vibration didn't change from the wheels previously fitted, but I'm surprised that they are slightly buckled, they really shouldn't be! If you insist on trying the wheels, pick up a pair of original wheels ( Personally, I don't recommend poly bushes except when the price is just far too expensive for the OEM bushes. Fit OEM if possible for best balance of performance and comfort. Many will disagree here though, but I think Nissan engineers know best after investing millions in R n D. If you change the subframe bushes I think OEM are obsolete, so fit the softest possible replacement. Please don't do the solid thing. You'll regret it, there are some members on here that can vouch for this. Finally be double sure there is no play at the rear wheels, I think I'd sorted that though and all was nice and tight. Edited September 4, 20168 yr by lonezedder
September 4, 20168 yr James,a customer of mine took his car to vibrationfree in Bicester so not far from you,They can analyse the whole drivetrain,He had his wheels balanced 3 times to no avail.They did them on the car and installed sensors under the car and ran it up,added 1 washer to a prop bolt, problem solved !!.£100 they charged him and his car is as smooth as silk now. That sounds like a proper solution.
September 4, 20168 yr That sounds like a proper solution. Rather than waste money trying to chase problems, these guys will diagnose the issue properly.If its £100 which i believe it is,will work out way way cheaper than swapping wheels,bushes ect :yes:
September 4, 20168 yr Rather than waste money trying to chase problems, these guys will diagnose the issue properly.If its £100 which i believe it is,will work out way way cheaper than swapping wheels,bushes ect :yes: Totally agree, throwing cash just guessing is a very expensive and disheartening way to progress forward.
September 4, 20168 yr Actually something else to mention, or rather query, could the buckle in the wheels be caused by standing in the garage for too long at a time? 3 weeks without movement etc? I'm not getting to drive it much at the moment and the garage floor is just standard concrete. Cheers James Are you in Derby as your details indicate???
September 4, 20168 yr Hi, just north, J28 of M1. Cheers James Well if you bring yer mota down to Langley Mill we can try some other rear wheels on it and "test" it down the A610 /A38 I would hate to see you do a 180 mile round trip to Banbury for someone to charge you a £100 to tell you the back wheels are bent! :lol::lol::lol:
September 6, 20168 yr Author Well if you bring yer mota down to Langley Mill we can try some other rear wheels on it and "test" it down the A610 /A38 I would hate to see you do a 180 mile round trip to Banbury for someone to charge you a £100 to tell you the back wheels are bent! :lol::lol::lol: Hi Pete, much obliged, would you be available Saturday afternoon about 12:30ish? I think the wheels are worth checking even just to see if the vibration changes rather than is removed. I do still intend to go down to vibrationfree, the only issue being their availability, I'll need to take a day off work in the week as they don't do weekends. Cheers James
September 6, 20168 yr Hi Pete, much obliged, would you be available Saturday afternoon about 12:30ish? I think the wheels are worth checking even just to see if the vibration changes rather than is removed. I do still intend to go down to vibrationfree, the only issue being their availability, I'll need to take a day off work in the week as they don't do weekends. Cheers James Yes mate I am free. Gimme a call Sat morning to confirm. 07778 411568 Having a quick run on some known good wheels simply takes them out of the equation.
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.