Strange "vibration"

[Chaos687]

Today my '96 Man. SC2 started making a strange vibration sound. It occurs when I am accelerating after about 25+ MPH but it persists to about 10 MPH when I am coming to a stop. I checked all the fluids and everything is optimal. I thought it might be the engine but at a stand still I can rev the engine and the sound doesn't occur. I also thought it could be the transmission but even if I am in neutral the sound occurs. Besides the new sound the car seems like it is running/driving fine. Does anyone know what my car might be experiencing?

P.S. To better describe the sound think of putting a card in the spokes of a bike and riding it around and take that sound and amplify it to the size of a car.

[RC1488]

Sounds like a bad wheel bearing. How many miles on the car? Does the noise change when the steering wheel is turned left or right?

If possible, put the car on jack stands and run it it gear. See if the noise occurs. Try taking the tire off and again test it.

Have you done the brakes lately?

[Chaos687]

The brakes have all been redone, but this was maybe about 3-4 months ago, and only 4k miles have been put on the car since then. 127k miles on the car and the noise doesn't seem like it changes when I turn the wheel but also you cant really turn the wheel all the far when you are going faster than 25 MPH. the sounds seems like it is possibly coming from between the center-passenger side of the car in the front. Tonight I had to drive the car and I was not able to check with jackstands yet due to my job but when I got home the battery light now came on also, but I think that is a seperate issue in itself. Could something be wrong with where the axle from the passenger side wheel enters the transmission?

P.S. I think I might have actually redone the wheel bearings right near when I did the brakes but I am not entirely sure

[RC1488]

You would have known if you did the wheel bearing as it must be brought to a shop to have the bearing pressed it. This require removal of the entire spindle

My original thought of a bad bearing is 2nd now as even at 60 mph usually turning the wheel left/right stops or increasing the noise.

When you get the car on jack stands remove the caliper pins. They must be greased with High temp grease. NOT regular grease. Once i did not grease them with the right lubricant and have awful noise and vibrations come through the steering wheel at all speeds. Check these pins.

Does the noise occur with the brakes pressed?

I dont think it has anything to do where the axle enters the differential.

[Chaos687]

Ok I had to replace the alternator and while I was doing that I tested the car in gear before I lowered it back down, and low and behold the sound didn't occur I got it up to 40MPH with the front wheels raised. I lowered the car and took it for a test drive and the sound occured again after 25MPH and down to 10. so it seems odd that it didn't occur while raised but it did occur with a load on the front wheels, so I am extremely baffled.

[RC1488]

Interesint....unfortunetly im baffled also.

If up in the air, push and pull the tire at 12 and 6 (clock) positions. There should be no movement.

Double check to be sure your lugnuts are tight.

Is it coming from the front or back?

[Chaos687]

it is coming from the front end, when I am driving it sounds like it is coming from the passenger side in the front, but when I have a passenger they tell me that it sounds like it is coming from the drivers side in the front. I checked to make sure that that the wheel didn't wobble from the top and bottom already, and the lugnuts are all tight. The only thing I can think of is that my buddy that was driving the car forgot it was in gear in a parking space the other day and let off the clutch all the way and it jerked pretty bad, but I am not sure if the the sound started right after that or not.

[RC1488]

Follow this video ASAP:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-gqhGC5vKDY

Jerking the car hard which is the same movements as doing burn outs or spinning the tires in snow and then catching pavement can Break the differential pin. Other times it loosens it and it starts to scrape the edges of the tranny housing.

Check this pin. If you see it does NOT match the video you are on borrowed time. Once that pin goes fluid leaks out, synchros stop moving and you no longer can shift Experience talking now.