Strange vibrations - Land Rovers Only

beechit · 12-16-2004, 01:16 PM

I have a series III 2 1/4 petrol. When I get to 40 MPH the whole thing vibrates violently. I know they all vibrate but this is quite bad, it feels like something is out of balance, but it doesn't feel like wheels and tyres. I know it is not engine related because it does it while coasting. it does not get any worse or better between 40 and 60 mph

any ideas ?

jozg44 · 12-16-2004, 01:59 PM

You may have a seized or stiff Universal Joint in your rear propshaft (assuming this happens when you're in 2WD). Mine went and it set up some nasty vibrations at about 30-40 mph.

UJs are easy and cheap to get. Get two and replace both at the same time. Often if one fails, the off-balance running causes the other one to wear out, plus that if one goes, the other one is probably the same age and so should be done as well.

Be careful not to fit the UJ the wrong way round. Whilst it will fit and work perfectly, the grease nipple is only on one side, so get it wrong and you won't be able to grease the UJ (you may recognise the voice of experience here).

However, UJ noise usually occurs first as a clonk when you change gear, and tends to lessen if you coast along with the clutch disengaged. It may a wheel-bearing or something else, but I can't really comment here....

Jack

Moeras · 12-16-2004, 10:26 PM

Take a look at suspension bushes, (the nylon tube like things that fills the gap between your leafsprings and the bolts attatching the spring to the mount.)

When I got my Landy the first time the one front spring did not have bushes in! It also vibrated a lot, although at all speeds, it was more noticible at high speeds.

The easyest way is to jack the truck up using the chassis as a piont (not the diff or suspension). if the wheel is free of the ground you will be able to wiggle it around and notice any play on the leave springs.

onslow · 12-17-2004, 05:51 AM

If non of the above work try the preload settings on the swivel pins if they are slack they can cause this problem refer to manual for how to do this.
ONz

xavitoLR · 01-02-2005, 10:11 AM

Balance the tires or check to see if they are deformed.

Also, could be the drums that have taken a serious beating. Lift the car, turn it on and spin the wheels

Bogatyr · 01-03-2005, 08:48 AM

I'm with Onslow, swivel preload.

Get a fish scale to test it...disconnect the steering arms and see what the number is by pulling on the scale and noting the number that the housing moves at. The whole procedure is outlined in the green bible...it's pretty straightforward...

Bogatyr

TerryS · 01-03-2005, 09:56 AM

I also would be suspicious that the swivel preload is to light. Not a hard job, unless the swivel pins are worn, or the bushing which fits into the swivel ball itselfis worn. Then it's just more dissassembly.

xboxy · 01-03-2005, 11:21 AM

link to swivel pin preload
http://www.sf.hiof.no/~frodehaa/swivelpinpreload.htm

this is for a discovery but it might give you a little insight into the job in hand

Snagger · 01-08-2005, 11:04 AM

Start off with a zero-cost test (apart from a squirt of fuel).

Vibration is almost always down fo a failed UJ, and as Series vehivcles usually euse the rear axle only, it's almost always a rear prop UJ.

Remove the rear prop, engade 4wd high (yellow knob down), and test drive. If the vibration is gone, it's a rear prop UJ. If the vibration persists, refit the rear prop and try again with the front prop off. Again, diappearance of the vibration will confirm a failed front prop UJ.

Second stage is to check the wheel bearings by gently rotating each wheel by hand, feeling for notchiness, noises and free play. Check the swivel pins aren't worn at the same time.

Next, get the wheels' balance checked. This is fairly cheap. Also have the tyres checked for bulges, flat spots or defoermities.

Chick Magnet · 01-21-2005, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beechit

I have a series III 2 1/4 petrol. When I get to 40 MPH the whole thing vibrates violently. I know they all vibrate but this is quite bad, it feels like something is out of balance, but it doesn't feel like wheels and tyres. I know it is not engine related because it does it while coasting. it does not get any worse or better between 40 and 60 mph

any ideas ?

If it's only at speed could it be the steering damper?

Snagger · 01-22-2005, 01:06 PM

Possible, but unlikely. It's probably a prop shaft problem which is exacerbated when the prop rotates at its harmonic frequency.

12-16-2004, 01:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
beechit Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1 Gallery: 0	Strange vibrations I have a series III 2 1/4 petrol. When I get to 40 MPH the whole thing vibrates violently. I know they all vibrate but this is quite bad, it feels like something is out of balance, but it doesn't feel like wheels and tyres. I know it is not engine related because it does it while coasting. it does not get any worse or better between 40 and 60 mph any ideas ?

12-17-2004, 05:51 AM	#4 (permalink)
onslow Series Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: The Lake district,UK Posts: 532 Gallery: 0	other idea If non of the above work try the preload settings on the swivel pins if they are slack they can cause this problem refer to manual for how to do this. ONz

01-03-2005, 08:48 AM	#6 (permalink)
Bogatyr Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: upstate NY Posts: 317 Gallery: 0	I'm with Onslow, swivel preload. Get a fish scale to test it...disconnect the steering arms and see what the number is by pulling on the scale and noting the number that the housing moves at. The whole procedure is outlined in the green bible...it's pretty straightforward... Bogatyr __________________ Current Rover Fleet: 1996 D1 120k (finally on the road) 1970 IIa 88" (the running one) 1970 IIa 88" (parts truck - need any parts?) 1966 IIa 109" (next project...)

01-03-2005, 09:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
TerryS Moderator Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Bloomfield, CT If I died today, I lived there all my life. Posts: 2,151 Gallery: 0	Three Votes for Onslow I also would be suspicious that the swivel preload is to light. Not a hard job, unless the swivel pins are worn, or the bushing which fits into the swivel ball itselfis worn. Then it's just more dissassembly.

01-03-2005, 11:21 AM	#8 (permalink)
xboxy Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 7 Gallery: 0	link to swivel pin preload http://www.sf.hiof.no/~frodehaa/swivelpinpreload.htm this is for a discovery but it might give you a little insight into the job in hand __________________ 1993 200TDi Disco 1996 RR 4.0 se

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12-16-2004, 01:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
jozg44 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 222 Gallery: 0	You may have a seized or stiff Universal Joint in your rear propshaft (assuming this happens when you're in 2WD). Mine went and it set up some nasty vibrations at about 30-40 mph. UJs are easy and cheap to get. Get two and replace both at the same time. Often if one fails, the off-balance running causes the other one to wear out, plus that if one goes, the other one is probably the same age and so should be done as well. Be careful not to fit the UJ the wrong way round. Whilst it will fit and work perfectly, the grease nipple is only on one side, so get it wrong and you won't be able to grease the UJ (you may recognise the voice of experience here). However, UJ noise usually occurs first as a clonk when you change gear, and tends to lessen if you coast along with the clutch disengaged. It may a wheel-bearing or something else, but I can't really comment here.... Jack

12-16-2004, 10:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
Moeras Profesional Hunter Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: On the banks of the Great Grey-Green Greasy Limpopo River (Rudyard Kipling 1902) Posts: 442 Gallery: 0	Take a look at suspension bushes, (the nylon tube like things that fills the gap between your leafsprings and the bolts attatching the spring to the mount.) When I got my Landy the first time the one front spring did not have bushes in! It also vibrated a lot, although at all speeds, it was more noticible at high speeds. The easyest way is to jack the truck up using the chassis as a piont (not the diff or suspension). if the wheel is free of the ground you will be able to wiggle it around and notice any play on the leave springs.

01-02-2005, 10:11 AM	#5 (permalink)
xavitoLR Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7 Gallery: 0	Balance the tires or check to see if they are deformed. Also, could be the drums that have taken a serious beating. Lift the car, turn it on and spin the wheels

01-08-2005, 11:04 AM	#9 (permalink)
Snagger Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bedford, UK Posts: 125 Gallery: 0	Start off with a zero-cost test (apart from a squirt of fuel). Vibration is almost always down fo a failed UJ, and as Series vehivcles usually euse the rear axle only, it's almost always a rear prop UJ. Remove the rear prop, engade 4wd high (yellow knob down), and test drive. If the vibration is gone, it's a rear prop UJ. If the vibration persists, refit the rear prop and try again with the front prop off. Again, diappearance of the vibration will confirm a failed front prop UJ. Second stage is to check the wheel bearings by gently rotating each wheel by hand, feeling for notchiness, noises and free play. Check the swivel pins aren't worn at the same time. Next, get the wheels' balance checked. This is fairly cheap. Also have the tyres checked for bulges, flat spots or defoermities. __________________ It's not broken; it's British

01-22-2005, 01:06 PM	#11 (permalink)
Snagger Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bedford, UK Posts: 125 Gallery: 0	Possible, but unlikely. It's probably a prop shaft problem which is exacerbated when the prop rotates at its harmonic frequency. __________________ It's not broken; it's British

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