DC2R vibration when accelerating at low speed. CV?

[TTim]

Hi Guys,
Quick question - my DC2R has a pretty heavy vibration on acceleration between 40-60km/h, especially when loaded up in 3rd. The problem isn't as big an issue when accelerating hard through 1st/2nd but more when driving normally.

I have read CV's are often the culprit. All the boots are intact and there is no clicking on lock. Any good way to find out which side short of just replacing both shafts?
Also does anyone have a good source for shafts online?

Thanks,
Tim.

[tinkerbell]

nothing you have posted isolates it to drive shafts... there are many things that cause "vibrations"

much more testing & diagnosis is required before asking "where is the best place to buy driveshafts?"

for starters - what is the noise when you drive slowly at full lock, e.g. around a cul-de-sac?

[TTim]

I'm very open to it being other things but just basing on what some of the yank forums suggest (bad source I know).

No noise driving at full lock, as mentioned above. No clicks / clunks.
No vibration coasting at those speeds and engine mounts look ok

[tinkerbell]

No noise driving at full lock, as mentioned above. No clicks / clunks.

doesnt this rule out a CV joint?

if only at certain speed usually means wheel alignment... or wheel balance... or wheel damage... or worn bushes... or worn shocks...

do you feel it in the steering wheel? or does the car shake?

you need to provide MORE information.

[RC_dc2]

Look into your wheel bearings too. Jack up each side and feel the play on each wheel, rotate and check different spots.

Sometimes a worn bearing can only manifest sound and vibration at certain speeds which cause resonance.

I had one that only did it mainly coasting down hills at 80-90km and sometimes on the freeway at 100km/h.

Of course this isn't the only possibility though.

It may be a silly suggestion. But have you checked your wheel nuts are done up properly?


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[tinkerbell]

It may be a silly suggestion. But have you checked your wheel nuts are done up properly?

certainly not silly!!!

Tim has not really told us much, like when the 'vibration' first started? was it after an 'event' or 'occurrence'? or gradually got worse?

[TTim]

I have finally had time to sit down and type a proper response.

I bought the car about 6000km ago and noticed the vibration was present then but didn't think much of it. The vibration is of a moderate strength and felt through the car more than the steering wheel. It really only comes at about 35-50km/h when accelerating. If I am maintaining that speed there isn't much of an issue. Its definitely worse if the car is loaded up in a higher gear and I don't seem to notice it if accelerating hard through 1st / 2nd (but that might be due to the limited time spent within that speed range). It will disappear lifting off the throttle and when coasting with the clutch in.

There is no other speed where this issue exists. On the highway at 110km/h its fine, on the track at 160km/h it is fine. Its not a massive issue but its just a bit annoying.

Initially I thought it might have been a tire balance issue and had them balanced without improvement (very close to new re003 on buddyclub p1, 16"). I also got some hub locating rings when also made no difference (so wheels are definitely tight). I have a slightly noisy wheel bearing (only really heard on the track, mid corner at 130+) but I am fairly sure that is a rear left issue and the vibration 'feels' like it is coming from the front of the car.
Bushes at the front all look ok and I don't have any problem with crashing / clunking over bumps. Shocks are bilsteins on what look like standard springs.
Engine mounts seem ok and a few have been replaced over the last couple years (looking at service history).

Its not a big deal as I don't really drive the car that much but it's still annoying anyway. I am planning to go over the car and get it in shape for a few events in the next few months but I figure it is better to have a good plan of attack of what to replace so im not doing front brakes + wheel bearings then pulling it all apart a few months later for shafts.

Thanks for the advice so far.

[tinkerbell]

re-check the rear mount?

[RC_dc2]

re-check the rear mount?

Possible, when my rear mount was torn I could mainly feel it when accelerating in gear then backing off the throttle. It's worth testing, mine was more of a huge clunk but I got it when the mount was already torn through. It was a bitch to change so hopefully for you that isn't it.

I'd try switching wheels front to back if you haven't already. While your at it check for play in the wheel bearings and cv's.

[TTim]

So, it was a cv.
Car was getting maneuvered around a workshop when there was a bit of clicking and a loss of drive. On pulling the joint apart the retaining cage was in several bits and the some parts of the knuckle had been sheared off.
New shaft, no more vibration.

It was a bitof an annoying issue, more so when it happened 2 days before the car was due to go its new owner.