Help! Bad Vibrations

[Rebelrob]

OK, what happens to the u joints? do they bend or break?
How many miles do you think you have on those u joints and shafts?

It's the drive shaft u-joints; which there are two. One front and one rear. There are 2 each on the half shafts for a total of 4 on the half shafts.

Sound like yours is most likely a tire balance problem. Luckily that is easy to fix and doesn't cost much.

Gary

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

U-joints have needle bearing & greese to keep them lubicated. The gease can dry out, the needle bearing wear out. How long they last depends on many thing: if they are lubed reguarly, if so fitted; abuse is one of the biggest thing. Auto seem to be easier on them than manual trans. car. High HP and hard shifts make them wear fast.

The u-joint can break an ear off or a cap. Either way the drive-line can come lose: At 2k-5k RPM the drive line flupping around lose under the car IS NOT GOOD. Hope this helps in some way.

Gary

SAVE the WAVE

 

[Rebelrob]

Thanks. I am going to have it on a lift this week at my friends house.
Is there something I can check on them to see if they worn. Maybe any play/slop/wiggle. Just wondering what to look and feel for.

Thanks,

R

U-joints have needle bearing & greese to keep them lubicated. The gease can dry out, the needle bearing wear out. How long they last depends on many thing: if they are lubed reguarly, if so fitted; abuse is one of the biggest thing. Auto seem to be easier on them than manual trans. car. High HP and hard shifts make them wear fast.

The u-joint can break an ear off or a cap. Either way the drive-line can come lose: At 2k-5k RPM the drive line flupping around lose under the car IS NOT GOOD. Hope this helps in some way.

Gary

SAVE the WAVE

 

[Copdogcorvettes]

Thanks. I am going to have it on a lift this week at my friends house.
Is there something I can check on them to see if they worn. Maybe any play/slop/wiggle. Just wondering what to look and feel for.

Thanks,

R

Check for a lot of gease around the caps. Then fell for any twist or movement up-down, side to side. There should not be any give at all.

Good luck with the check, but I still think your vibration is tire balance. But,I've been wrong before. U-joints cost $20 - $30 each plus installation if you can't do it yourself.

Gary

SAVE the WAVE

 

[Tntruckguy]

vibration

I think evolution1980 is on the right track. I had that same problem with my 80 when I first got it. I did re-balance the wheels and it helped some but the problem went completely away when I had the steering and some worn out front suspension parts replaced. I had a corvette specialist do the work instead of my regular mechanic. It now feels comfortable to drive over speeds of what the stock speedometer reads. I wanted a heavy wheel and the guy who did the steering and front suspension set me up perfect. Oh, don't forget to have the front end aligned. Spare no expense, these things are like racing skateboards at 100mph, one little shake or shimming, your off in the ditch!

Good luck!

tntruckguy

 

[Evolution1980]

I think evolution1980 is on the right track.

Nah, I didn't win the prize. He stated up in post #17 that it was u-joints and a wheel balance issue.