Annoying Vibration

[darcus]

Hi peeps,

I wonder if you can help.

I have a 2004 CDTI Exec Accord. Wonderful car, but it's been making a rather annoying noise which I can't figure out!

Basically it's a rhythmic vibration/sound that I feel in the footwell. The steering wheel is fine, doesn't vibrate/judder or anything.

This happens at about 60. Disappears between 70 and 72mph and then comes back.

What I've done so far:
1. Had the car checked for alignment.
2. Had all 4 tyres balanced, wheels checked for buckles etc and tyres check out brilliant. 2 Goodyears on the rear and 2 Michelins on the front.
3. Tyres have been moved from front to rear to see if the sound moves (it didn't)
4. All suspension parts checked on a ramp - nothing seems loose/broken.
5. Driven the car full lock in both directions forward and reverse - no noise.
6. No change in road noise at motorway speeds when turning left or right.
7. No change in road noise at motorway speeds when going up a hill or down.
8. Noise continues when in or out of gear
9. Noise continues in 3rd, 4th or 5th.

When the car is idle, the interior does vibrate a little (not much) - but Mrs FRV doesn't vibrate at all.

Brake discs and pads have been checked.

Going to replace springs on calipers for brakes (they clunk when I apply brakes - advised it is simply loose brake pads) this weekend and get some adhesive shims applied if needed - I'll change front pads to EBC as they were changed over a year ago.

Can anyone help? I'm at my wits end.

The car has done 135k miles - but has been a beauty.

The noise started just after a rear wheel hub was changed (all hubs and wheel bearings have been inspected and they seem fine, no play, no rotational roughness when spun etc...) about the same time, those Goodyears went on the front...

aaarrgghhh

 

[darcus]

Hi
So, I've changed the brake pads on the front (the ones that were fitting were meant to be OEM but seemed a little loose) Applied an adhesive shim to the outer brake pad on the fronts, replaced the caliper spring and the clunking noise has now gone.

Phew.

The only problem is that the low frequency vibration (vruum, vruum, vruum) noise is still there at 60+.

Garage stated that the control arm bushings had a tiny amount of play in them - but it was well within specs.

So, do I change the bushes - or no?

The rear wheel hub was examined again - and it seems smooth. Could a faulty wheel hub/bearing only manifest at motorway speeds?

Thanks

 

[wahabishtiaq]

did you check your tyre noise for both front and rear. It could be different set of tyres are creating a harmonic noise effectively due to resonance effect.

I had similar issue with my civic so whenever i change tyres i change all 4 together.

on my accord when i bought it had softer tyres on front (Budget) and rear were bridgestone potenza rather noisy tyre and it use to hum between 50-70mph.

I could be wrong but sometimes phenomenon of physics takes over all mechanical aspects... Resonance...

Others opinions are more then welcome.

 

[Salim]

The accord is sensitive to tyre choice and road noise is particularly bad. If bearing is going they don't seem obvious, if no change in noise when you load up the suspension while cornering then it probably isn't bearing. A good check is jack the car up and spin the wheel while holding the spring, you will feel it through your hand.


does the vibration/noise change over different surfaces.

My money is on driveshafts wearing but hard to say for sure. Can be wheels/tyres, worn bush. I would live with it until it gets worse and it will if the shafts are the cause.