Vibration around 45mph

KarstenZimmerman · #1 07-28-2005, 02:31 PM

Checked through the threads here and I can't find anyone else with a like problem.

Problem started happening when a local shop replaced my intake manifold gasket on my 95 Rodeo (Automatic V6). They said it would run rough for a day or two until everything settled. In addition to the gasket, they replaced my plugs and wires too. The car starts to vibrate when I hold a steady 45mph+, if I accelerate or take my foot off the gas the vibration goes away. The vibration doesn't build up, but when I accelerate to 45mph and maintain it, my rpm will drop and the vibration kicks in. The vibration settles out as I go faster up to around 60mph where it disappears altogether; drives great on the highway. I can go a steady speed at a lower mph yet same rpm as 45mph and there is no vibration. It does idle a little rough, but the slightest amount of gas will make it go away. It sounds a little like the problem others were having with the center shaft bracket, but like I said, it's smooth on the highway.

One thing to note, when I went to check on the plugs / wires after the shop replaced them, I went to pull out a wire and the wire casing that goes around the plug came apart. I had to fish the rest of it out with some needle nose pliers. I put it back together and reconnected the wires as it appeared to just have been poorly glued. It doesn't sound like it's an ignition problem, but that's why I'm asking here.

amigo-2k · #2 07-28-2005, 03:08 PM

does it vibrate if you are not moving? Like at a certain RPM?

Balanced the tires lately?

Maybe the timing belt tensor?

KarstenZimmerman · #3 07-28-2005, 03:35 PM

I had the tires replaced in January, but everything was fine, no vibrations. It only started after I took it into the shop. Also, if I give it gas or take my foot of the accelerator, the vibration goes away. It's not shaking the steering wheel at all so I don't suspect it's in the steering.

amigo-2k · #4 07-28-2005, 04:14 PM

does it vibrate if you are not moving? Like at a certain RPM?

KarstenZimmerman · #5 07-29-2005, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amigo-2k

does it vibrate if you are not moving? Like at a certain RPM?

I left the car in park and slowly rev'd the engine up to around 3k and let it set at different intervals, no vibration at all.

I was trying different things out yesterday and it seems to only be a problem when it shifts into overdrive. Almost like it's shifting too soon and causing the engine to lug down. Is this a problem with the speed sensor?

megavolt121 · #6 07-29-2005, 01:27 PM

Try to reproduce somewhat of a driving condition/load by jacking up the back of your car, be sure to put the jackstands on the frame. Chock up the front wheels and then drive your car, letting the back wheels spin freely. Hopefully you can have someone else help by driving it till it wobbles while you look at where the vibration is coming from.

I'd also pull out each sparkplug and make sure they are looking fine. My family once had a car that was running like crap. One day while @ a stoplight, a sparkplug blew out of the cyclinder. It turns out the shop didn't tighten the plug down enough.

KarstenZimmerman · #7 08-04-2005, 08:13 AM

Got the car up on blocks yesterday...almost. I went to put the car down on two stacked cinder block and a portion of the block broke off when I set it down on it. I put the block under it with the longest edge running under the frame. Should I have place it perpendicular to the frame, or any other tips?

I was able to crawl under there though and look around. The only thing that seemed loose was the drive shaft where it breaks towards the rear. I was able to move it up and down a good 1/2'' within that sealed joint casing with my hands.

Daddycat · #8 08-05-2005, 10:10 AM

[quote=KarstenZimmerman]Got the car up on blocks yesterday...almost. I went to put the car down on two stacked cinder block and a portion of the block broke off when I set it down on it. I put the block under it with the longest edge running under the frame. Should I have place it perpendicular to the frame, or any other tips?

Sweet mother of Jesus!! NEVER, NEVER, NEVER try supporting your car or truck on cinder blocks. jack stands are so cheap now, please get yourself some before you kill yourself!

KarstenZimmerman · #9 08-05-2005, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Sweet mother of Jesus!! NEVER, NEVER, NEVER try supporting your car or truck on cinder blocks. jack stands are so cheap now, please get yourself some before you kill yourself!

Good to know...I thought cinder block supports were common occurence. Then again I live out in the backwoods kind of, so I see it a lot. Will see about picking up a pair of jackstands and taking another stab at it.

hazegrey · #10 08-05-2005, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KarstenZimmerman

Good to know...I thought cinder block supports were common occurence. Then again I live out in the backwoods kind of, so I see it a lot. Will see about picking up a pair of jackstands and taking another stab at it.

pretty much any walmart, kragens(checkers, schucks) have an all in one kit that come with jack, jack stands wheel chocks and a creeper(great for under truck work) for rather cheap and if you are going to have the rear wheels off the ground I would highly recommend the wheel chocks.

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