[elvisdk]

Hey all

Over the last couple of months, i've notived that my car (1.6 CRDI '07 hatchback) vibrates in a certain pattern.
Every 10 seconds i can feel a vibration in the car coming and going away, repeating itself over and over.

What i've done sofar to eliminate the problem is (in specific order)
- Balance my alloy wheel set in the tire workshop (i dont know the english word for it. The shop balances the wheel and tire with weights)
- Buy new tires for the alloy wheels
- Buy a new set of wheels and put the newly bought tires on. Balance in the tire workshop
- Buy new disc brakes and pads for the front
- Buy a new set of alloy wheels with new tires.

None of the above has helped. And i'm poorer

It doesnt matter if my speed is 80, 90 or 100 km/hour, the vibrations are still there.
If i accelerate, the vibrations become more prominent.

I cant feel the vibrations in the steering wheel.

Can anyone point me in the right direction as to where i shall look ?

3 months ago i had the following replaced on the car
- Rear wheel hubs, both sides
- new brake caliper, right side
- new brake discs and pads, rear

best regards

[Asterix]

Hi Elvis

Sorry to hear that.

What's the milage of the car..?

Can you hear a sound changing when speed changes..?

If the rear brakes are sticking a little, it can make those vibrations you mention. I had something very similar, and thought it would be the rear wheelbearing (hub), but turned out to be sticking rear brake (handbrake)

[elvisdk]

Hey and thanks for reply.

The mileage is 266.000 km

No sound changing when changing speed.

I've actualle experienced the same thing as you'r describing, thats why i replaced the rear disc brakes and pads along with the right caliper. Also replaced the internal brake pads for the hand brake. All this about 3 months ago.

Im planning on changing the following, but doesnt count on it to work
- rear left side caliper
- front wheel bearings
- rear brake disc and pads again (maybe)

best regards

Hi Elvis

Sorry to hear that.

What's the milage of the car..?

Can you hear a sound changing when speed changes..?

If the rear brakes are sticking a little, it can make those vibrations you mention. I had something very similar, and thought it would be the rear wheelbearing (hub), but turned out to be sticking rear brake (handbrake)

[Asterix]

Defect front Wheel bearing will not create vibrations, only noise.

If it didn't help first time, new rear brakes won't help now.

The caliper might do the job, but have you determined if the brakes are sticking..

Mine never did from start of the trip, always had to drive 5-10 km before those vibrations started.

[elvisdk]

Hey again

Well, funny enough the vibrations starts after about 5-10 km of driving as you mention.

Are you talking about the brake pads on the caliper, or the ones for the handbrake ?
I cant feel any radiant heat from the rear tires, which indicated sticky brake pads for the handbrake.

best regards

Defect front Wheel bearing will not create vibrations, only noise.

If it didn't help first time, new rear brakes won't help now.

The caliper might do the job, but have you determined if the brakes are sticking..

Mine never did from start of the trip, always had to drive 5-10 km before those vibrations started.

[Asterix]

The handbrake.

Lift the wheels from the ground and rotate it. If any resistance, try to push the lever, entering the brakedrum, backwards.

This will loosen the handbrake. Don't apply the handbrake again and try to see if the vibrations are gone.

[Asterix]

The wheels didn't get warm on my car either, so didn't stick enough to warm up the wheels...

[elvisdk]

I will try tomorrow.
Do you believe that would cause such a vibration pattern ?

Today when i changed to a new set of ally wheel and tires, i notired a "scratch scratch" noise from the rear wheels, but couldnt determine if it was the caliper pads or drum pads.

I must say i've had my share of problems with the rear brakes. 

best regards

The handbrake.

Lift the wheels from the ground and rotate it. If any resistance, try to push the lever, entering the brakedrum, backwards.

This will loosen the handbrake. Don't apply the handbrake again and try to see if the vibrations are gone.

[Asterix]

I will try tomorrow.
Do you believe that would cause such a vibration pattern ?

I must say i've had my share of problems with the rear brakes. 

best regards

It did feel and sound like the car was falling apart...

Other than that, no problems with the brakes so far.

[elvisdk]

Your problems sounds like the one i had 3 months ago and i can relate to the "car sounding it was falling apart" 

I will try to adjust the brake pads tomorrow.
Thanks for your help sofar.

best regards

I will try tomorrow.
Do you believe that would cause such a vibration pattern ?

I must say i've had my share of problems with the rear brakes. 

best regards

It did feel and sound like the car was falling apart...

Other than that, no problems with the brakes so far.

[Phil №❶]

 

IMO, your problems are not with wheels, so don't waste any more money. The vibration, does it feel like a wobbly out of balance wheel or more of a noise rumble. Is your car manual or auto.

There can be other reasons for vibration in a car, so you need to have the vibration checked by a mechanical workshop, don't try guessing it's too expensive.

Possible areas for vibration are

Harmonic balancer on the crankshaft
Any internal shaft in the engine or transmission, usually an indication of bearing failure.
Wheels / Tyres, which you've already tested.
Serpentine belt tensioner and or the belt itself.
Alternator bearings

As you can see, there are other areas to consider. Get a professional opinion.

[elvisdk]

Hey and thanks for feedback

The vibration feels slightly like when a wheel is out of balance, but not extremely, just lightly. I can best describe it as a vibration that slowly starts and increases, then decreases and disappear. A pattern that repeats itself every 10 seconds.

I've had a mechanic look at it, but he's on the brink of giving up.

best regards

IMO, your problems are not with wheels, so don't waste any more money. The vibration, does it feel like a wobbly out of balance wheel or more of a noise rumble. Is your car manual or auto.

There can be other reasons for vibration in a car, so you need to have the vibration checked by a mechanical workshop, don't try guessing it's too expensive.

Possible areas for vibration are

Harmonic balancer on the crankshaft
Any internal shaft in the engine or transmission, usually an indication of bearing failure.
Wheels / Tyres, which you've already tested.
Serpentine belt tensioner and or the belt itself.
Alternator bearings

As you can see, there are other areas to consider. Get a professional opinion.

[eye30]

As it seems to happen when warmed up, are you using correct oil in engine and gearbox?

[agentr31]

shock absorbers  are not getting weak are they.... allowing harmonics from the road to get in to the cabin?

[elvisdk]

Thank you for all your replies.

I am certain that the car is running on correct oil in the engine and gearbox, since the workshop handles this.
But i will make them check again.

I cannot say if it's the shock absorbers, but it could be related to when the problem occured.
The vibrations occured 1-2 months ago when the roads were icy and full of holes. I happened to drive on a road with lots of holes and couldnt avoid them all. After this incident, the tires felt really out of balance, and thats when i started to buy new tires / Wheels.

I could try to push Down the car in the front and see if it bounces back the correct way.

best regards

[Asterix]

I think you should have a wheel alignment done. Maybe the toe have changed due to the potholes being hit.

[Keith]

The 10 seconds interval between events is bothering me...
I don't get that at all, is that model fitted with a Dual Mass Flywheel?
CV joints or a bent driveshaft can cause this type of issue but that 10 second periodicity bothers me with ANY possible explanation. 
Guessing will be expensive as already said....

[Asterix]

I don't get that at all, is that model fitted with a Dual Mass Flywheel?

NO

[Keith]

I don't get that at all, is that model fitted with a Dual Mass Flywheel?

NO

Ok Ok I only asked...

[Asterix]

I don't get that at all, is that model fitted with a Dual Mass Flywheel?

NO

Ok Ok I only asked...

  

[Phil №❶]

If the car is displaying the vibration and you are safely alone on the road, you could briefly put the car in neutral and let the engine go to idle speed. If the vibration is still there, then there is NO problem relevant to the engine, so that component can be eliminated.

[elvisdk]

Thank you all for your input.

The vibrations are still there when i put the gear in neutral.
I've tested the shock absorbers, they seems to be in peak fitness condition

I will try to get the tires aligned.

[Phil №❶]

OK, rule out engine.

That leaves Gearbox, Driveshafts / CV Joints, Suspension, Wheels & Tyres.

elvis' reports no feedback through the steering wheel, so that puts wheels & tyres ar the rear of the list for me.

Gearbox shafts rotate at different speeds, could there be a harmonic vibration in this area and how to prove this.

[elvisdk]

Woohoo 
and oh god 

Yesterday i did an acceleration from 0-100 where the vibes were prominent from 20 to 60 km/hour. Felt like the tires were really badly out of balance.

OK, rule out engine.

That leaves Gearbox, Driveshafts / CV Joints, Suspension, Wheels & Tyres.

[Phil №❶]

@elvis'

Too bad you haven't told us where in Denmark you are, an active member may be able to help you. 

[Aussie Keith]

Sounds like a job for a mechanic who can check the car thoroughly for you.

[rustynutz]

I was thinking along the same lines as agentr31....shockers! 

After 266,000k they are well past their best.....

[agentr31]

I was thinking along the same lines as agentr31....shockers! 

After 266,000k they are well past their best.....

yes, especially if you went down a pot-holed road.

just pushing down doesn't test them, all that really does is dent the tops of your fenders when you push on them, but seriously that really tests the spring, you need to go over a kerb, drop both front wheels off it (the nice 45o kerbs are the best) and brake as it 'lands', if it goes down, then comes up and stops, shockies are working, if it goes down comes up, then goes slightly down again, they are wearing out, and if it goes down, up, down, up, well they are rooted.

if the shock absorber isnt doing its job, the spring will bounce as you go over the kerb, the shock absorber controls this bouncing of the spring and 'dampens' it, hence if your shockies are worn, the suspension will still work, but will allow the car to 'bounce' instead of controlling it.

[rustynutz]

I've followed cars where one wheel has been constantly chattering up and down.... 

[Dazzler]

I was thinking along the same lines as agentr31....shockers! 

After 266,000k they are well past their best.....

yes, especially if you went down a pot-holed road.

just pushing down doesn't test them, all that really does is dent the tops of your fenders when you push on them, but seriously that really tests the spring, you need to go over a kerb, drop both front wheels off it (the nice 45o kerbs are the best) and brake as it 'lands', if it goes down, then comes up and stops, shockies are working, if it goes down comes up, then goes slightly down again, they are wearing out, and if it goes down, up, down, up, well they are rooted.

if the shock absorber isnt doing its job, the spring will bounce as you go over the kerb, the shock absorber controls this bouncing of the spring and 'dampens' it, hence if your shockies are worn, the suspension will still work, but will allow the car to 'bounce' instead of controlling it.

Nicely explained Ian,