I'm picking I bad vibrations.....

[tall-pete]

Good evening all.

Have been reading about vibration related issues in the search but having only ever driven my accord I'm struggling for reference points for normal. I'll outline the issue & if anyone is able to describe what it should be like I'd be grateful.

- Vehicle is 2004 plate with about 67k on the clock.
- There is the possibility of a auxiliary belt tensioner issue, cyclic squeaking noise has only manifested itself once and has not ever reappeared. Dealer opinions this is a known fault with these engines due to belt tensioner arrangement. Don't think this has any bearing on the issue but....
- Recently the clutch was changed (probably not related).

- Not long after I noticed vibration through the steering wheel from 30mph through to motorway speeds. After a long run I could actually hear what sounded like a flat. I was sufficiently convinced to stop and check the tyres.
- The vibration is road speed linked.
- Explained the issue to the local dealer. They test drove and balanced the front wheels (obvious candidate). They then re tested and pronounced themselves satisfied. Trouble is I'm not.
- This has reduced the vibration but not removed it.
- I can feel it through the steering wheel at all speeds from 50mph upwards. Not as bad as it was but still not right.
- I believe it may get worse once the car gets hot, but by that point my hands are literally "buzzing" so this isn't definitive. If this keeps up I'm going to be looking for treatment for vibration white finger!

Question: How much vibration do your diesels pass on through the wheel at speed?

Question: At idle I can feel the engine tick over through the steering wheel quite clearly - is this normal?

I need some Idea what "right" feels like so I know when to stop!

The plan: Start simple - laser alignment & tracking check, maybe with the dealer if they have the kit. Frankly, if this doesn't work, I think the car is going. I'm not sure I fancy the expense involved in fault finding my way through the transmission system. Having just bought the car, changed the clutch and really liking the vehicle as a whole this would really p me off.

Thanks in advance.

 

[crespo]

Try rotating your wheels to rule out s buckled wheel. then if it persists you know it is mechanical. i.e flywheel,suspension or drive shaft etc.
you should not feel any vibration through the steering wheel.

 

[Doc]

Sounds like you have the old auxiliary belt configuration which would be worth changing to take the tension of the alternator bearings, fairly cheap fix.

When it's stopped vibrating it's 'right'. It's a Honda, there shouldn't be any vibrations.

My diesel doesn't have any vibrations through the steering wheel while driving and I can't feel the engine vibrations through it on tick over either.

Vibration on tick over could be engine mounts or DMF. Vibration while driving could be bushes/ mountings, driveshafts, warped discs.

Was the DMF changed at the same time as the clutch?

 

[F6HAD]

If you've eliminated the rims/tyres as the culprit, my money would be on the driveshafts, normally N/S on these cars.

If you replace, only replace with a genuine Honda part. The aftermarket stuff is of inferior quality and the splines wear out quickly causing the vibration again.

 

[tall-pete]

Well dropped in to local Honda dealer today. The service manager's immediate reaction was that they might not have put the sub frame back in properly when they did the gearbox. This has now (allegedly) been eliminated as a possibility. Not sure what the basis is though. They're suggesting a tyre issue but can't be more specific.

With respect to DMF - no not replaced. Whether clutch is in or out or power on/off makes no odds so I'm pretty confident it's not that.

Jacked the car myself this evening and I can't feel any bearing rumble nor can I see anything obviously wrong.

Booked for a laser alignment on Friday. We'll see what that says. At £400 + fitting per driveshaft I'm not really very keen to start down that route unless I have to.

Thanks for the input.

 

[tall-pete]

Concluscion was that I had one square tyre. Not as bad as it could have been in the end. Full marks to Tyre Land Southampton for sptting it.

 

[F6HAD]

The easy fixes are the best mate, enjoy your car now B)

 

[Roy W]

Having a similar problem since a new Semperit was fitted to the front nearside (£97!!).
I took it back and said it wasnt balanced right. It checked out ok on the machine as did the opposite one but i still have that annoying `shimmy` at 50-70 or so.

What exactly do you mean by `square tyre`?? Faulty or something??