Vibration...
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 7,574
Likes: 250
From: Laquey, MO
Vibration...
Well poo...
I've developed a pretty good vibration in the '87 from about 45-50 mph on up. It feels like a lean condition in the engine, but there's not many vibrations being transmitted though the gear shift. Here's what I suspect...
1. I know I have a loose lower ball joint on the driver's side. It may have worn enough to put up a vibration, but it doesn't seem to be in the steering.
2. Lean condition caused by failed O2 sensor. I need to check codes first...
3. Wheel(s) out of balance. Again, the vibration feels more general than specific to front/back or side/side but its possible.
4. Failed harmonic balancer - a real possibility since I haven't had any luck getting the timing marks to line up with the indicator to set the timing. I've never experienced what a failed balancer feels like to compare to.
5. EGR issue - disconnecting the EGR vacuum line and plugging the line improved performance from a dead stop, but still vibrated once at cruising speed.
I'm open to suggestions as I really want to get this back on the road without destroying anything else along the way.
I've developed a pretty good vibration in the '87 from about 45-50 mph on up. It feels like a lean condition in the engine, but there's not many vibrations being transmitted though the gear shift. Here's what I suspect...
1. I know I have a loose lower ball joint on the driver's side. It may have worn enough to put up a vibration, but it doesn't seem to be in the steering.
2. Lean condition caused by failed O2 sensor. I need to check codes first...
3. Wheel(s) out of balance. Again, the vibration feels more general than specific to front/back or side/side but its possible.
4. Failed harmonic balancer - a real possibility since I haven't had any luck getting the timing marks to line up with the indicator to set the timing. I've never experienced what a failed balancer feels like to compare to.
5. EGR issue - disconnecting the EGR vacuum line and plugging the line improved performance from a dead stop, but still vibrated once at cruising speed.
I'm open to suggestions as I really want to get this back on the road without destroying anything else along the way.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,251
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Ah all that you named and maybe a drive shaft u joint? Have you lubed the slip spline lately?
Swap tire positions (front to rear) and see if it moves....
Motor mount, trans mount, worse case (hope not) pinion bearing.
Swap tire positions (front to rear) and see if it moves....
Motor mount, trans mount, worse case (hope not) pinion bearing.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 7,574
Likes: 250
From: Laquey, MO
I crawled under there and inspected the balancer. There are some tears in the rubber and a small amount of side to side play, but I wasn't able to find any rotational slip, but I didn't have the drivetrain locked down very well either.
I'll put a tire rotation on the list and see if that does any good.
I'm going to take back the power steering pump core and pulley tool. I'll grab a ball joint tool and the upper joint (already have lower) and change that out as well.
In the meantime, I'm reserving driving it for testing purposes until I figure it out. I don't want it to tear itself up for nothing.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,251
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Well ok, one more then, get the ball joint changed, ck the wheel bearing while you are there, rotate the tires and see if it moves.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Laquey, MO
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That's the current plan. If that doesn't make any difference then I'll move on to something else.
I'll also check for codes to see if there's something amiss there as well.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 7,574
Likes: 250
From: Laquey, MO
Time for a dope slap and someone to shout "Well d'uh!"
I believe I found my vibration - I got the truck in position to work on the front ball joint and did a quick survey of my wheels. It appears that I have a rear tire without a single balance weight on it. I'm so embarrassed. I haven't driven a truck in so long that I forgot what it felt like to have a wheel out of balance...
I believe I found my vibration - I got the truck in position to work on the front ball joint and did a quick survey of my wheels. It appears that I have a rear tire without a single balance weight on it. I'm so embarrassed. I haven't driven a truck in so long that I forgot what it felt like to have a wheel out of balance...
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 7,574
Likes: 250
From: Laquey, MO
I also suspect that I had a stuck u-joint as well. It still vibrated a bit after the wheel balance, but seemed to free up and run smooth as silk. After minimal use for the last year, I suspect even a new u-joint will get sticky. If it recurs, I'll pull the driveshaft and check them...
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