slight vibration at 80+ normal?

[Inspector Lou]

I start to get a vibration at about 80+. Is this normal? It is not bad but you can feel it and see the rear view mirror starting to vibrate a little. It kind of feels like driveline out of balance(a little) This is my first Vette and am thinking it is normal to feel a little more of the road and vibration due to sitting on top of the rearend and the fact that it is bolted to the bottom of the car and not hung on springs. What do you think?

 

[BigRed]

Try jacking up the rear of the car (Or have a mechanic do it) and wiggle the rear tires hard side to side. Sounds like you've got a wheel bearing problem.

The only reason why I say its the rears is because they're famous for having problems due to the indy suspension.

If you take it to a mechanic just ask to have a complete suspension check with wheel bearings.

If its not the bearing it could be a few other things that should be caught in the inspection (Try U joints as well.)

 

[vettepilot]

Your vibration could be coming from any number of rotating components. Tires included. Yes you will normally feel more of the road, and it's associated irregularities, but vibrations should not be a normal part of the Vette driving experience. It is a symptom of something out of balance, worn, or otherwise not correct.
Just as in any other vehicle, sometimes it's something simple, sometimes it's not. Even though the Corvette is not set up in the conventional manner as most other vehicles, the trouble shooting techniques are very much the same......
Actually, now that I think about it, many new vehicles are coming out of the factory now with independent rear suspensions, so I guess one could say it really is like other vehicles.
vettepilot

 

[Inspector Lou]

okay I will jack her up this evening and see what I can find. The car only has 35000 on her so I was thinking the chances of things being worn weren't to likely. But, you never know???

 

[Ken]

I start to get a vibration at about 80+. Is this normal?

In a word, no. But Red and the Pilot seem to have a handle on this, so I'll leave it to you guys to diagnose the reason for the vibration.

_ken

 

[MoeJr]

One thing to consider is up here in New England the snow plows use chains on their rear tires for traction and they will gouge the road something fierce. It creates a washboard feeling at hiway speeds. I notice this in my super stiff/rock hard riding 84. I know my car is mechainically sound when it comes to the driveshafts and tires.

 

[MoeJr]

Don't mind me I didn't notice where Inspector was from. ;stupid

 

[ErnieN85]

Hi, it doesn't have to be new England. I notice vibration on some roads. the way I know it's not the car is that when the surface changes the vibration stops! so I'm sure it can be the road. even though it may feel like a balance problem