Got vibration through car, it's not very bad but enough to be noticed and make high speed driving uneasy. It's definately coming from the back end and i've had the wheels balanced which seems to have reduced it. I know the car has had a recent prop shaft bearing but there is also a note on a previous service record that the prop shaft was suspected. To test, the prop shaft was removed and the car towed at 50mph - no vibration, prop shaft refitted - vibration present. Result - prop shaft worn.

 

I don't see how the prop shaft can be worn as it runs on a bearing and the bearing is new. Are there any other bearings?

 

Could it be something else?

Can u feel the vibration through the seat, at 40+ mph ?

 

does it get less or go away when warmed up ?

 

It could also be the Rear gearbox mount. It starts to giveway, moving the prop out of alighment

 

also need to check that the prop was put back together properly. When it was removed they should of marked the prop at both ends, and then put it back the same way.

 

Could also need rebalancing

 

or they may have but the spacers on the wrong way. THere are 2 washer-like spacers which should sit between the bearing housing and the chassis. They may have been put on between the bolt heads and bearing housing. This also knocks it out of alignment.

good advice. Havent noticed it getting less once warm. I can feel it through the seat and it does start at 40+. The vibration feels quite soft - not harsh, doesn't rattle the whole car but its strong enough to be anoying! I'll try a local garage, one of my mates and get it on the ramps...any test you can suggest?

I don't see how the prop shaft can be worn as it runs on a bearing and the bearing is new. Are there any other bearings?

As well as the propshaft Carrier bearing there are three UJ type bearings in the prop itself. Wear in any of these will also cause vibration. If on removal you work each of these back and forward in both planes(to test all four segments) Any noticable wear or tight/loose spots will cause mild vibration.Not as harsH as the rubber/metal carrier disintigrating but still a vibration.

When removing the propshaft, you should always mark both flanges to ensure it is fitted back on in the same position, because it is balanced. If you did not mark it, do so now, and then undo rear bolts and rotate the propshaft one set of holes at a time, roadtesting at each position, to see if the vibration has stopped. Check your universal joints first for any play.

I have the same annoyance. bearin's ok and mounts good too - so it's gotta be general wear in the prop uv joints. Remedy is to remove the taga panels.

 

160k on a 1990 NA.

 

Good luck

 

Jack

Also be sure you dont have a saggy mount on the transmission as this will make the angle wrong from tailshaft to prop. You can make a temporary repair by jacking the rear of the transmission gently and slipping rubber strips into the gap that appears in the rubber mount. This is on an auto - not sure about a manual.

Jack, thanks for the tip but a bit difficult in the rain.

 

Getting under the car at the weekend and i'll try rotating the position of the prop shaft first like 'Old Zed' suggested

I fixed Legraths a couple of weeks ago. Some one had put it up wrong after removing the gearbox. Only takes about an hour with the right tools

...sorry to hear that it rains in Wrexham. I can't remember the last time I had the tops on - always seems to be dry here in East Anglia. I'll be interested in what you find at the weekend. Keep us all informed.

 

good luck

 

Jack

i have this problem too..vibrations.. if I can feel half an inch of play or more on the u/j'S on the prop shaft when i get under the car and turn it with my hand with the wheels jacked up does that mean they are fooked?

is a second hand prop shaft recommended?

...blimy - that's an old link... Uv joints on your propshaft should be almost solid. There should be some side to side movement at the centre bearing as it's in a flexible rubber surround, but excessive movement in the cv joints of the shaft definately require attention. It might even be an MOT failure - my tester always checks for wear in the prop UVs.

 

I believe you can get replacement UV joints fitted from a specialist prop repairer, or try Andy in the traders - he breaks Z's so might have a good second-hand one available. Also MikeF in the traders had some new ones for about £250 recently... inc the centre bearing.

 

Good luck

 

Jack

...blimy - that's an old link... Uv joints on your propshaft should be almost solid. There should be some side to side movement at the centre bearing as it's in a flexible rubber surround, but excessive movement in the cv joints of the shaft definately require attention. It might even be an MOT failure - my tester always checks for wear in the prop UVs.

 

I believe you can get replacement UV joints fitted from a specialist prop repairer, or try Andy in the traders - he breaks Z's so might have a good second-hand one available. Also MikeF in the traders had some new ones for about £250 recently... inc the centre bearing.

 

Good luck

 

Jack

 

hi Jack..cheers for that mate..will go off to the traders area now :mac1:

I had the same vibrations and got under the car a couple of days ago, found a uj gone (just behind centre bearing), friend of mine punched it out and fitted a new uj now smoother.

I had similar problem on my last zed the propshaft was not aligned properly it took less than a hour to put it right