Vibration

[Discosid]

Hi Roverhead

I have an issue that maybe one of you lot can help with.
Or at least start pointing me in the right places.
Some back ground first.
?94 disco 1, 5 spd, 145000 miles.
NEW (6 months new) ? Bushings panhard rod, all the suspension, shocks, brakes, rotors, tires, balanced and alignment
I found today that I get a vibration. No more like a rumble, in the truck when I get to just before 70MPH. Sort of 68 or 69 MPH.
This is a rumble in the truck itself nothing via the steering, the steering is vib? free and steady.
I don?t know if it goes away past 75 I haven?t been that fast in it. Also I not 100% on this but I feel it could be starting from the back, But it defiantly effects the whole vehicle.
Where should I start to look?
Any help would be great.

 

[Tom in MD]

Are you lifted or stock? Drive line? Do you have U-joint or roto-flex at the rear on a '94 ? Check those fittings for wear. Lot's of possibilities, but sounds like drive line to me. Are you noticing it getting better or worse when you take your foot off the gas ? If U-joints and roto-flex look OK, try removing one drve shaft, lock the CDL, and drive it. Then the other. Good luck.

 

[PHARAOHDISCO]

I would suggest looking at the rear driveshaft. First confirm that your U joints are in good shape and if you also have the rubber Rotoflex, check that it is not cracked. Check that the balancing weights are still welded onto the driveshaft, they might have broken off. Do the same for the front driveshaft.

 

[Discosid]

O.k.

I'll take a look at the rotorflex this weekend I have the replace the oil seal there anyway. All balances are in place. No lift, I've never seen the point in them myself.
CDL what exactly am I to expect if I remove the drive staft rrear or front and drive it

 

[Tom in MD]

CDL what exactly am I to expect if I remove the drive staft rrear or front and drive it

If you remove an offending shaft, the one with the bad bits, you should have a smoother ride. The object would be to eliminate one more variable. Sounds like you've already eliminated tires/rotors/shocks as suspects. Keep us posted.

 

[Discosid]

If I remove the rear or front drive shaft and drive in 2 wheel drive at 70 wont this cause any damage. This all sound a little dangerous to me.

 

[bri]

Just do not use the skinny pedal too hard. If you drive easy for this test you will be fine.

I had a similar issue, removed the rear first and vibe went away. Took drive shaft to a shop where it was balanced and it got much better. I do not know what a drive shaft shop would do with a rotoflex rear shaft though. You'd have to ask. I have roto no more.

 

[Tom in MD]

Don't do anything you're not comfortable with. I drove mine in front wheel drive only, with the cdl locked, with no problems. If this idea creeps you out, you can take it to a mechanic you trust.

 

[bri]

Good point Tom.

 

[jcollett]

my 96 was doing the same thing -- it went away at 80 mph though (hehe). ended up being the rubber coupler on the rear driveshaft, it was dry-rotted and cracked. replaced it --- no more vibration. easy to put in too.

 

[muddydisco2]

Yeah, I had the same type of vibration that I was feeling, and I was even a little concerned....right until I realized that I was running 32" MT/R's.

Abercrombie

 

[Discosid]

Tom

Tom the big big problem is I don?t trust mechanics.
I have never met an honest one yet. I doesn?t mater where in the world you are its part of there college training.
1. How to fix an engine
2. How to fix a gearbox.
3. How to fix a driveline
Thats year 1, And final to pass the exam. This Year 2, 3 and 4
4. How to screw the customer so he only realizes it 2 months later.
5. How fix it so another problem comes up related to the original
6. How to pretend its nothing to do with you.
I have Mechanic friends in England I used to be horrified to hear of there tricks.
If you walk in to a Shop not knowing your in for rough ride.
Sorry this is my opinion and sorry for offending any Mechanics out there.
Maybe you can rebut try and put some trust in you guys back in me.

Thanks for all you help on the vib i have

 

[Steve83]

Maybe you can rebut try and put some trust in you guys back in me.

Why waste the time?

 

[Tom in MD]

I don?t trust mechanics.

I think the key is finding one that's a LR enthusiast. I've been to dealerships and come away feeling like these guys have no skills beyond my own but with more/ better tools and information.

Luckily, within an hours drive, I found an excellent mechanic who happens to be an enthusiast. (Trevor with TMC).

Try to find an independent shop. Talk to your local off-road shops and see who they recommend. Start a string here on DWeb searching for a good independent shop in your area.

Remember that these guys need to make a living too. If you want to go cheap, you'll have to come up to speed doing things yourself.

In terms of trust: Sounds like you've had some bad experiances. IMO I don't think I've ever been deliberately screwed, even buy a dealership. It does feel that way when they quote pricing, especially in terms of parts and when they try to pile on additional service items I don't think I need. They're probably just taking the recommendations out of their manual and passing them on. You have choices in which services you accept. If you ever feel screwed, there are remedies. You've got to assert yourself and drag the service manager in. Keep going up the chain until you're satisfied.

Good luck with your Disco..

 

[CaptainSpalding]

Good Instincts.

If I remove the rear or front drive shaft and drive in 2 wheel drive at 70 wont this cause any damage. This all sound a little dangerous to me.

I'm relatively new to the Land Rover world ('04 Disco) My other truck is an older Mercedes G-Wagen. I've read of several occassions where G-Wagen owners have fried bearings in their t-case by driving with a shaft removed. In a G-Wagen the t-case is lubricated by an oil pump that is driven by the front shaft. Remove the front shaft=no t-case lubrication=fried bearings.

I'm not saying that the Disco is just like the Merz, but you should know the details before you try something like that. IMHO, of course.

-- Spalding

 

[RANGIEBLISS]

Just a friendly Warning

Tom the big big problem is I don?t trust mechanics.
I have never met an honest one yet. I doesn?t mater where in the world you are its part of there college training.
1. How to fix an engine
2. How to fix a gearbox.
3. How to fix a driveline
Thats year 1, And final to pass the exam. This Year 2, 3 and 4
4. How to screw the customer so he only realizes it 2 months later.
5. How fix it so another problem comes up related to the original
6. How to pretend its nothing to do with you.
I have Mechanic friends in England I used to be horrified to hear of there tricks.
If you walk in to a Shop not knowing your in for rough ride.
Sorry this is my opinion and sorry for offending any Mechanics out there.
Maybe you can rebut try and put some trust in you guys back in me.

Thanks for all you help on the vib i have

Luckily, within an hours drive, I found an excellent mechanic who happens to be an enthusiast. (Trevor with TMC).

I?ve been lurking for awhile, but had to register to warn fellow enthusiasts. I know few will believe because of the reputation that is going around, but trust me, Trevor and the rest of the crew at Treasured Motor Cars has definitely been through this school. I used to be one that recommended the shop, but if you use the shop long enough, and know enough about your truck, you will eventually realize they?ve been to the same school and practice the same dishonest practices. I wish I had listened to some people with past experiences before I had to find out for myself. Do what you want, but you?ve been warned. Don?t ask for details, I?m not into slandering, just a warning.

 

[Tom in MD]

Beg to differ, RANGIEBLISS...

...but I think it falls somewhere between libel and slander when you unjustly accuse someone of "dishonest practices", in writing, and in a public forum, without showing just cause.

If you care to not share the details that justify the position, you may want to frame your assertion more like an opinion. At least add a "YMMV" disclaimer.
-------------------------------------------

That being said, I've had no bad experiance with TMC, but I would imagine they have their fair share of disgruntled customers like most places.

 

[Steve83]

...unjustly accuse...

But it's not libel OR slander if it's the truth.

 

[Tom in MD]

Please share

I agree. Please share the truth, Steve83. Have you had a bad experiance too ? You're a mechanic in TN, right? If there's a legitimate gripe that can be substantiated, I'd like to hear it.

My only stake in this is that there are limited options available in my area, and if TMC is someplace to avoid I'd like to know why.

 

[RVRSRVC]

mechanics

Discosid, I apologise that your question about vibrations has taken this turn, but I felt a need to reply to Rangiebliss.

I would welcome an opportunity to discuss Rangiebliss's concerns with me and my shop.

I will (reluctantly) admit that I can't fix every vehicle, every time, the first time. Sometimes it's a communication error between the customer and the mechanic. Sometimes there are budgetary limits to finding the source of the problem. Sometimes, the problem's cause escapes us. I have even taken parts off of my own
Rovers to assist in diagnosing problems.

I am not perfect but I am able to take responsibility for my mistakes. If Rangiebliss wants to step up and give me an opportunity to discuss the problem, or has had success resolving the problem elsewhere, contact me. I 'd like to know.

Just in case Rangiebliss has misplaced my contact info:

Trevor Griffiths
Treasured Motorcar Services
Reisterstown, Maryland
410.833.2329
service@treasuredmotorcars.com