Suspension and Chassis Questions about your suspension? Need chassis advice?

bad vibration

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Old Oct 24, 2008 | 09:27 PM
  #1  
Seanmay1's Avatar
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From: GA
Car: 89 Firbird Formula WS6
Engine: TPI 305
Transmission: T 5
Axle/Gears: 3.45 Posi 9 bolt
bad vibration

Well i was getting a vibration starting around 50mph and at about 95-100 it was pretty bad. So today i decided to change the U joints, now the vibration starts around 45-50 mph and by 80 its so bad u don't want to go any faster. U joints where installed right so i have no idea why. Going to take the driveshaft back out in the morning and see if everything looks okay. Im starting to think a trip to the junk yard and a 4th Gen driveshaft can come home with me for $15

Edit: My car has a factory aluminum driveshaft
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Old Oct 25, 2008 | 02:25 AM
  #2  
Mikz86TA's Avatar
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From: Tallahassee, Florida
Car: '86 Trans Am and '03 S-10
Engine: 355ci and 4.3l
Transmission: 700R4 and NV3500
Axle/Gears: 7.625/3.42 Auburn and 8.5/3.08 Gov-
Re: bad vibration

sounds like the DShaft is out of balance
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Old Oct 25, 2008 | 06:43 AM
  #3  
JamesC's Avatar
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From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: bad vibration

Originally Posted by Seanmay1
My car has a factory aluminum driveshaft
Check near the ends of the shaft. If you're missing a balance weight, you should be able to see where it once was.

JamesC
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Old Oct 25, 2008 | 03:25 PM
  #4  
Seanmay1's Avatar
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From: GA
Car: 89 Firbird Formula WS6
Engine: TPI 305
Transmission: T 5
Axle/Gears: 3.45 Posi 9 bolt
Re: bad vibration

Originally Posted by JamesC
Check near the ends of the shaft. If you're missing a balance weight, you should be able to see where it once was.

JamesC
It has all of the weights on, i just double checked.

I'm thinking about just going to pullapart and getting another shaft, they have a few 4th gen, i could get one for less than $15. Who knows, i might get lucky and find a 6 spd transmission to lol
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Old Oct 25, 2008 | 04:32 PM
  #5  
JamesC's Avatar
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From: Lawrence, KS
Car: Met. Silver 85 IROC/Sold
Engine: 350 HO Deluxe (350ci/330hp)
Transmission: T-5 (Non-WC)
Axle/Gears: Limited Slip 3.23's
Re: bad vibration

Have you considered tires and/or wheels? How about alignment?

JamesC
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Old Oct 25, 2008 | 04:33 PM
  #6  
dKillaCamaro's Avatar
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From: Bay Area
Car: 83 Camaro
Engine: 5.0
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.73 open
Re: bad vibration

My first car was a 89 RS had a set of cragers on it and it did the same thing, But didnt know what it was till i changed the rims the cragers were bent or had oblong lug holes, it was bad to dash would shake "or more like jump" after i changed the rims the car was smooth. If you can just to check try and swop your rims for a friends for a test drive
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Old Oct 27, 2008 | 11:23 AM
  #7  
Seanmay1's Avatar
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From: GA
Car: 89 Firbird Formula WS6
Engine: TPI 305
Transmission: T 5
Axle/Gears: 3.45 Posi 9 bolt
Re: bad vibration

I don't think it needs an alignment because the steering is smooth, last car needed a alignment and at 60 the steering wheel was vibrating. I could try a different set of wheels though, the back could be either bent or out of balance
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Old Dec 11, 2008 | 03:07 PM
  #8  
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Re: bad vibration

I had the same problem. I had my driveshaft balanced and installed new u-joints and still had a vibration problem. I took it to (2) driveshaft shops they both said the driveshaft had a slight wobble meaning it was not completely straight so I changed the driveshaft and the the problem went away. More than likely your driveshaft is slightly bent. For $15 buy the junkyard shaft and try it. Worse case scenario you'll have to go back and buy another if the first one doesn't work. Just make sure to check the u-joints to make sure they are in good shape.
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Old Dec 11, 2008 | 04:26 PM
  #9  
Seanmay1's Avatar
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From: GA
Car: 89 Firbird Formula WS6
Engine: TPI 305
Transmission: T 5
Axle/Gears: 3.45 Posi 9 bolt
Re: bad vibration

Well i put new joints in mine and it still sucks, I will find me another aluminum one at the junk yard and try it out, It would be nice if $15 bucks fixed it
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Old Dec 11, 2008 | 04:50 PM
  #10  
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From: East Tennesse
Car: 1991 RS Camaro
Engine: L03 (want LS1)
Transmission: 700R-4 (and T56)
Axle/Gears: 4th Gen 3.23 posi
Re: bad vibration

Have you had the wheels balanced lately...?
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Old Dec 11, 2008 | 08:17 PM
  #11  
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Lincoln, Nebraska
Car: 1988 Firebird, 2000 GTP
Engine: 327
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9" posi, 4.11
Re: bad vibration

Double check your pinion angle.
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