First off, I noticed a TERRIBLE vibration at around 70mph on the highway. Even at slower speeds, it was bad.

I had a bent wheel (passenger side rear), but picked up a used one that was in good condition and put it on there. The vibration isnt as bad, but still noticeable at 70mph and above. Still feels like it is coming from the rear, but not sure. Anything else I should look at?

 

Take it to a tire shop and have them check the balance on the back wheels, might not be the problem but its a cheap (maybe even free) place to start.

 

bent wheel, bent axle?

 

Well the right wheel was bent (picture attached). Replaced it.

Havnt tried to balance the left one though.

And I replaced the driveshaft with an aluminum (balanced) a month or two ago. No problem there.

 

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I doubt that little bend would cause the vibration. I went through 2 days of crap this week at the tire shop getting the vibration out of my car. I have Boss motorsport 304 18x9 wheels with federal ss985 rubber. when I got the wheels and tires mounted they balanced everything and sent me on my way. about a week later it began to vibrate. did not think it was the wheels as they only had 400km on them. It turns out the weights fell off and un balanced them, and also the tire presures were way out. I had them rebalanced at a different shop with a road force machine and went on my way. best ride of my life for about 100km when there was a huge bang, then another then another. The wheel weights were flying off on the highway! Brought it back told them that, they basicaly said I was full of crap and told me I would need to pay for another balance if I was wrong. Now I have stick on weights in the inside of the rim hope they stay. I had thought it was my U-joints but it was the wheels. Vibration can ocur from 1) imbalance in tire/rim 2) Improper tire pressure 3) Stiff or fused U-Joints 4) Imbalanced driveshaft 5) bent axle. I would ask as to what caused the bent wheel and how hard of a hit was it. The axle could be bent from that. If the car sat for a long time the U-joints could be siezed. but as you said you changed the driveshaft so I assume you put new U-joints in at same time. Find a tire shop with a Road force Balancer, as it is WAY better than the old school tire balancers.

 

If it is a bent axle you may here a scraping sound in the back of the car as it drives slow. Axle rubbing on axle tube! may not be constant.

 

Thanks for the help DeWynter.

I think the scraping noise is from the brakes, since when i give it brake pressure, the noise changes pitch.

Yes I did have the Ujoints replaced with the driveshaft.

And believe me - it rides MUCH better with the new driveshaft and wheel.

I have to take my truck to a welder tomorrow to get exhaust work done. While I leave it there Im probably going to just jack up the camaro and switch wheels and see what happens (roll them while still jacked up).

On the other hand, I did have the car on rollers a few days ago only rear wheels spin, of course), in which I got the wheels up to 40 mph or so. The right one was shaking like crazy. Like I said, I had it replaced. The driver side though looked just fine.

Any easy way to tell if an axle is bent?

 

Is it ok to swap wheels from side to side (passenger rear to driver rear)? Obviously going from front to back isnt going to happen.

These are directional tires and I need to get up to at least 70mph. Just wasnt sure if it is safe.

 

If it's a directional tire you can't swap them from left to right. Only front to back. Unless you dismount the tire and put it on backwards.

 

Heres a video of the rear passenger side.

BTW, this is with it jacked up via pumpkin... but most importantly, I am stomping on the brakes and the car IS IN NEUTRAL. If that isnt proof that my rear brakes are gone I dont know what isnt.

 

IMO It looks more like you have what they call a Heavy tire. It means that there is a heavy spot on the tire that cant be balanced. No tire or rim is perfectly round, But if you get to much of a high spot on the tire every time it goes around it hits the road hard making a vibration, (kinda like driving over a small bump every time the wheel goes around) In the video the rim does not look like it is wobling or moving but the tire does look like it is moving up and down. A heavy wheel can be balanced but it will always be out of round. Has this been happening sice you bought the tires?

 

I bought the car a little over a year ago. It came with those stock wheels and he replaced the tires. I think I have a discount tire receipt somewhere...

The right rear rim was jacked up pretty badly. Got a used one from a cool guy on the forum and it rides pretty nice on that side now.

The right front wheel also has a small bent in it.