Violent vibrating...

ripped camel

ripped camel

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No I'm not speaking of sex toys....:p

Any speed over 70mph the entire car vibrates VIOLENTLY! Even the people in the back of the car feel it. When I let off the gas at that speed it gets worse, but when it drops under 65mph it goes completely away. Why?

Also under acceleration it doesn't really vibrate either until it gets to 70mph+.

What is this?

Driveshaft?
Suspension?

Car was switched to a non-airbag setup by previous owner. Tires are good, it's not the rotors as they don't vibrate or do anything when stopping. Any ideas?
 
My driveshaft caused that, just like that actually. It wasn't so bad at first. But man, when it started to get bad like you say I finally had to fix it no matter what because I was leaking trans fluid so fast that I had to add every day, and I had a few things to fix because I let it go so long. I'd get that fixed asap if I were you.

I had my stock one re-tubed and it only cost me around 160 dollars including balance.

However if it's not your driveshaft it's definately your wheels, so long as your brakes feel normal.

If it's in the rear, you feel it in your seat.
If it's in the front, you feel it in the steering wheel. That rule of thumb will never fail you.
 
^ +1

I would guess a u-joint heading south, and or drive shaft.

Any clunking when you put it in gear?

You might have to get under the car and check for play in the drive shaft.

Wheels would be easy to check and re-balance.
 
Definite clunking going into gears. The vibrating is so bad it is felt in the front and back. I don't feel it in the pedal as much as I do throughout the entire car.
 
U-joint.
Crawl under the car and grab the drive shaft and try to twist it.
If its all sloppy loose its time for some fun.

You will have to pull the gas tank out.
How many miles are on your 97?

It would be the time to replace the fuel pump while you have it apart.

Check http://www.car-part.com/ for a 93 shaft install u-joints and have it ready before you start.
 
ford nut said:
U-joint.
Crawl under the car and grab the drive shaft and try to twist it.
If its all sloppy loose its time for some fun.

You will have to pull the gas tank out.
How many miles are on your 97?

It would be the time to replace the fuel pump while you have it apart.

Check http://www.car-part.com/ for a 93 shaft install u-joints and have it ready before you start.
Click to expand...

Car has 126k on the O. Don't know if the fuel pump has been done yet...but I also don't have a ton of money to throw parts at it yet either because I'm still in school. Still got a good 3 years left.
 
ripped camel said:
Car has 126k on the O. Don't know if the fuel pump has been done yet...but I also don't have a ton of money to throw parts at it yet either because I'm still in school. Still got a good 3 years left.
Click to expand...

U-joints are cheap.
Its costs more time then money to replace, it would be lucky if that's the problem.
Did you check?
Its sucks to be broke, believe me I know.
Better not put it off though, it could damage your trans or yoke if it let loose.
It will strand you somewhere.

Are you by Jamie?
He is a good chit....he would give you a good price to fix it if you can't.
 
I would throw you some u joints to you if you were close enough to catch 'em. I'm super ignorant on what u-joints cost, because I've never bought them by themselves, but they have to be cheap because it's never stood out to me. Like between 3 and 10 dollars a piece maybe?

Serious though, you're going to need trans work if you let it go. I will tell you that all day. You want to beg someone for what it takes because if you don't it's going to accelerate the problem fast.

It's not hard to put in, either.

Make sure your tank is about empty so you don't have the weight.
Only a couple bolts for the tank straps, which you don't even have to take out, you just have to loosen the front.

A phillips screwdriver to loosen your fill tube clamp and vent tube clamp.

4 bolts for the rear of the driveshaft, and it drops and slides right out. It really is a quick operation, but do like ford nut said and have the new one ready to put in. Then your car's only down for a couple hours.
 
Nothing like pulling a U-joint and having pieces of needle bearings and dust everywhere when there should be grease. I used to slap on the greasable ones if I was going to keep the car.
 
U joints for our cars from Oreily's will cost you $34... I know because I have put in 2 sets of them in the last few months...
 
Greaseable Super-Strength, made by PRECISION from rockauto.com are $15.00 each + shipping and I have a 5% off code if you decide to buy from them.

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