1st Generation Specific (1979-1985) 1979-1985 Discussion including performance modifications and technical support sections

Vibration at 70 mph +

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-08-07, 10:36 PM
  #1  
Never Follow

Thread Starter
iTrader: (18)
 
82transam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 8,307
Likes: 0
Received 68 Likes on 50 Posts
Vibration at 70 mph +

Ever since I got my project car on the road it has a nasty vibration, especially in gear, off throttle that starts at 70+ and gets worse the faster you get, the irony is that it is more noticable when you let off. I switched to the wheels off my other car, which doesn't vibrate, still the same, I swapped driveshafts, still the same. The axle bearings are new. Could a worn tail shaft bearing in the trans cause this? Something tells me it may be in the trans because it was in the car when I got it, so its history/true mileage is unknown, whereas the engine, rear end etc do have known histories. I'm thinking its gotta be the transmission, but a second opinion would be nice before I start swapping things out.
thanks
Sean
Old 02-09-07, 01:41 PM
  #2  
Rotary Enthusiast

iTrader: (1)
 
Nicholas P.'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 1,415
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
On my step moms honda oddesy. We hit a large bump and ever since we hit it , it would vibrate over 65mph.

The dealership said that the weight was bumped out of position on one of the wheels. They needed to be rebalanced.

Hope this helps

-nick-
Old 02-09-07, 01:44 PM
  #3  
Too old to act my age

 
Rogue_Wulff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Tulsa, Ok.
Posts: 3,164
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Yeah, a worn tailshaft housing bushing can cause this type of issue.
Old 02-09-07, 03:19 PM
  #4  
Wankel Me This!!

 
openshot's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: St Cath Canada
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
maybe the drive shaft weight fell off.
Old 02-09-07, 04:01 PM
  #5  
Full Member

 
thegoatc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Idaho
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
take a look at you driveline if the yoks are worn too much it will vibrate like no budys business. try a different drive line and see if that helps.
eric
Old 02-09-07, 05:23 PM
  #6  
Audio Cronic Syndrome

 
blazer1313's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Anacortes, WA Hometown: P.O., WA
Posts: 890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
he's swapped driveshafts and wheels ppl....

you know that the rear axle bearings are ok?
Old 02-09-07, 05:44 PM
  #7  
Never Follow

Thread Starter
iTrader: (18)
 
82transam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 8,307
Likes: 0
Received 68 Likes on 50 Posts
Yes the axle bearings are new, the U-joints on the one driveshaft were brand new as well. I'm almost positive its not in the front end, because the vibrations aren't transmitted through the steering wheel. Furthermore there is no feeling in the brakes (regular and e-brake) so it seems unlikely that its a bad wheel bearing etc. The fact that it is much more noticable on deceleration leads me to believe its something in the trans, or diff. Seeing as the drveshaft swap did nothing, and the joints on both I tried were tight I doubt its that either... Any other thoughts?
Old 02-09-07, 06:01 PM
  #8  
What?

 
John64's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: CT
Posts: 3,833
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Sean, it's like when you go to the Dr's. "Doc, it hurts when I bend my finger. Yell Sean, just don't bend your finger"

You know I'm a smart ***!

I think the Panda is pissed because she's not the one getting a turbo transplant!!!!!!!
Old 02-09-07, 06:08 PM
  #9  
Senior Member

 
chedda_j's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Canada
Posts: 634
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Check for worn shock mounts. Never know eh? Thats the only thing i can think of.

shake the following to check for play. "wheel bearings, front rack, shock towers and whatever else is linked to the tires."

I have the same problem but i know its because i need a wheel alignment.
Old 02-09-07, 06:32 PM
  #10  
Never Follow

Thread Starter
iTrader: (18)
 
82transam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 8,307
Likes: 0
Received 68 Likes on 50 Posts
shocks, springs, bushings, ball joints, tie rod ends, strut top plates, idler arm, wheel bearings, and pretty much everything else is new on the car. Although I haven't had it properly aligned, but i'm pretty sure the vibration is coming from the rear half of the car.
The shifter vibrates like crazy when its doing it....
Old 02-10-07, 11:37 AM
  #11  
Never Follow

Thread Starter
iTrader: (18)
 
82transam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 8,307
Likes: 0
Received 68 Likes on 50 Posts
so anyone else wanna confrim my trans theory?
Old 02-10-07, 04:22 PM
  #12  
Strength & Unity

iTrader: (1)
 
2wankel's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: CT
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Balanced driveshaft?
Tires bad?
Wheels balanced?
Axle bent?
Old 02-11-07, 01:53 PM
  #13  
Never Follow

Thread Starter
iTrader: (18)
 
82transam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 8,307
Likes: 0
Received 68 Likes on 50 Posts
Didn't have the driveshafts balanced, but having the exact same problem with two different shafts leads me to believe its not that.
tires are brand new and I balanced them myself (yes on a tire balancing machine )
The axles are straight as a arrow, I checked them when I had the rear apart to replace the axle bearings. Looks like a trans swap is in my future, luckily I have several spares and it doesn't take very long...
Old 02-11-07, 02:01 PM
  #14  
Senior Member

iTrader: (2)
 
neektar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: CNJ
Posts: 534
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Originally Posted by 82transam
The shifter vibrates like crazy when its doing it....
Transmission mount. Take a look at that and I bet you'd be surprised
Old 02-11-07, 04:29 PM
  #15  
Lives on the Forum

 
Kentetsu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Grand Rapids Michigan
Posts: 11,359
Received 14 Likes on 11 Posts
Originally Posted by ~Nector_Rivera~
Transmission mount. Take a look at that and I bet you'd be surprised
Bingo! I was waiting for someone to suggest this as I was reading through the responses. Good call Chief!
Old 02-11-07, 06:34 PM
  #16  
Never Follow

Thread Starter
iTrader: (18)
 
82transam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 8,307
Likes: 0
Received 68 Likes on 50 Posts
Nope thats brand new and still in place too...
Thanks for the replies too....
Old 02-13-07, 02:34 PM
  #17  
Junior Member
 
Arturski's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: ARIZONA
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I had a terrible vibration problem until I bought a NEW driveshaft from Mazda. New U-joints will NOT work because Mazda requires a tedious shimming and balancing procedure. Unless you KNOW that the other driveshaft is in perfect balance it is going to vaibrate unless it has the original U-joints and they are pristine.

Take the shaft to a balancing shop (they are fairly common) or buy a complete new shaft.
Old 02-14-07, 12:49 AM
  #18  
RotatingCheesehead

 
Markusr2001's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Could be the wheels you have.
I had all items checked: U-joints, tranny mounts, idler arms, etc.
Turned out to be the wheels (they were bent and could not be balanced) which I'm planning to have replaced soon.
Old 02-14-07, 12:49 AM
  #19  
RotatingCheesehead

 
Markusr2001's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Originally Posted by Markusr2001
Could be the wheels you have.
I had all items checked: U-joints, tranny mounts, idler arms, etc.
Turned out to be the wheels (they were bent and could not be balanced) which I'm planning to have replaced soon.
I too had the vibration issue of any speed higher than 75 mph.
Old 02-14-07, 01:28 AM
  #20  
Lives on the Forum

 
Kentetsu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Grand Rapids Michigan
Posts: 11,359
Received 14 Likes on 11 Posts
Not sure if this will apply to you, but I'll throw it out there just in case...

If you have drum brakes, and install aftermarket wheels, you need to remove the screw that holds the drum onto the hub (broad headed phillips screw). Otherwise, the wheel may hit against that screw and keep it from sitting flush against the hub. The factory wheels are designed so that the screw does not interfere with them.
Old 02-14-07, 09:00 AM
  #21  
Never Follow

Thread Starter
iTrader: (18)
 
82transam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 8,307
Likes: 0
Received 68 Likes on 50 Posts
Thanks for the input guys, but as my orignal post stated I had several different wheel/tire combos on the car to test that theory. One set of wheels was off my other 83, which has no excessive vibration all the way to 110mph....
Old 02-14-07, 01:08 PM
  #22  
Junior Member
 
Arturski's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: ARIZONA
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I may be scrapping my RX-7. See the ZERO COMPRESSION thread. I would have an extra set of four Weds 14 inch wide wheels with 195x60 Potenza SR71 performance tires available.
Old 02-14-07, 01:24 PM
  #23  
Never Follow

Thread Starter
iTrader: (18)
 
82transam's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: North Jersey
Posts: 8,307
Likes: 0
Received 68 Likes on 50 Posts
Nice wheels, I'm sure you'll sell them easy enough, although If I were you I'd consider fixing it rather than selling.
Everyone is making simlar suggestions, but are you guys keeping in mind that the vibration is much, much worse on decel? Tires being out of balance etc, would vibrate either way, my car shutters/vibrates more when I let off the gas...
Old 03-10-07, 08:12 AM
  #24  
Audio Cronic Syndrome

 
blazer1313's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Anacortes, WA Hometown: P.O., WA
Posts: 890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
found bad front u joint on my driveshaft.....mazdatrix sells an aftermarket driveshaft with greaseable u joints.
Old 03-10-07, 10:56 AM
  #25  
Terrified.

 
Naegleria_Fowleri's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Muncie, IN
Posts: 3,463
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by blazer1313
found bad front u joint on my driveshaft.....mazdatrix sells an aftermarket driveshaft with greaseable u joints.
Are they lighter by any chance?


Quick Reply: Vibration at 70 mph +



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:05 PM.