Car shakes REAL bad over 60mph...

Chris_H · 07-13-2001, 07:57 PM

Ok, I just had my clutch changed out because I burned the last one up in a burnout as some of you might know. Well I just got the car back today, and took it on the freeway to bring it home. Anytime I went over 60mph or so, the car felt like it was going to shake itself into little pieces. I thought I had read some posts before on this with people stating it could be the driveshaft. Does this sound like the driveshaft needs to be rotated 180* or am I way off course here? I don't see where they would have messed with anything in the front suspension, but the whole car and the steering wheel just vibrate like crazy. Any help here is greatly appreciated.

Chris

Jeb_Bush_2000 · 07-13-2001, 08:27 PM

Mine does the same thing, but it's up around 65-68, and only at closed throttle. It feels to me like a front-end vibration, but since it's affected by the throttle, I'm assuming it's a drivetrain problem.

Keep us updated.

TEXSN95 · 07-13-2001, 08:49 PM

Try reclocking your driveshaft by rotating it 90 degrees until it's fixed...it probably was put in differenty than was taken out. If that doesnt fix it, then your ujoints are probably shot like mine were.

------------------
Clint L.
White 95 Cobra #3637
58cc GT40X heads with mild porting, Crane 2031 cam, FRPP 65 TB, 1.7s, Cobra intake, homeade cold air, 155lph, pullies, Tokico Illuminas, C springs, GW LCAs, Kenny Brown super subs, Steeda CC plates, aluminum driveshaft, Steeda quadrant, B&M ripper, Kirban FPR, MSD6A, Taylor wires, Mac shorties, off road hpipe, 2 1/2 ultra flows w/ dumps, R hood, Euro clear corners, stock 3.08s
13.61 @ 105.7 w/ 2.22

jimberg · 07-13-2001, 09:30 PM

Time for an FMS aluminum driveshaft. They rock.

------------------
351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

dinomite · 07-13-2001, 11:40 PM

try rotating it, did you do the clutch yourself? if you didn't take it back to the shop that did!

Chris_H · 07-14-2001, 02:11 AM

No I didn't do the clutch myself. I had my mechanic do it for me. Anything that I don't know how to do, or don't want to take the chances on, I have him and his son do it. The only problem is I won;t be able to get the car back into them until monday after work. As much as I don't want to drive it like this, is it bad for the car if I have to? It also feels like the clutch isn't adjusted right. We adjusted it at the tranny, and with my Steeda adj. quadrant, and it still doesn't feel right. Feels like it is slipping some when I get on it. I appreciate the feedback. Hope to hear more on this from you guys.

Chris

jimberg · 07-14-2001, 01:37 PM

The vibration can damage the seal on your tranny where your slip yoke slides if the vibration is coming from driveshaft.

To adjust the clutch properly, make sure that there is about 1/4" to 1/8" of play in the end of the clutch release fork when you wiggle it back and forth. No more and no less.

You also shouldn't be getting on the gas with a brand new clutch. Drive it a while to break it in.

------------------
351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

dinomite · 07-14-2001, 04:08 PM

ya, vibrations on any moving parts (engine or drivetrain) can have bad consequences, i'd have it checked out.

Chris_H · 07-14-2001, 04:22 PM

Ok, I called Jegs earlier today and spoke with their tech-line. Not sure how good they are because I have never called them before on something. The guy I talked with says that he doesn;t think it has anything to do with the driveshaft, but rather the flywheel. He thinks that if it was turned (which I'm told it was) then they did it wrong, or it wasn't turned at all. I see no need for my mechanic to lie to me, I'm pretty good friends with him and his family. So, do you guys think that it could be the flywheel, or does it sound more like the driveshaft, or even something else? I mean this thing really shakes, rattles, and rolls around 60-65mph. I haven't tried to go any faster for fear that the car will turn into a million pieces. It's just sitting in the driveway until I absolutely have to drive it. Appreciate all the replys so far.

Chris

jimberg · 07-14-2001, 08:37 PM

Does it vibrate no matter what gear you are in at those speeds? If it was the flywheel, the vibration would always be associated with a specific RPM and not speed. If it's speed related it would be something after the transmission.

------------------
351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

Chris_H · 07-14-2001, 10:00 PM

To tell you the truth, I don't know if it does it at those speeds in another gear. the car ran fine when I was driving it in the city, and in traffic. No problems there. It was only when I got out on the interstate, and in 5th gear. I suppose I should take it out right now and see if I get the same results in 4th gear that I do in 5th, but I really don't want to do that to the car if I don't have to. Thats what gets me, is that it did pretty good in the city, but once I got it up to 60mph on the freeway, it started acting up. I figured ifi t was the flywheel, it would do it at the same RPM in any gear, but according to the tech guy at Jegs, the driveshaft would do it at any RPM and not the flywheel. I tend to feel it would be the driveshaft at certain speeds, kind of like flat spots on a tire. Once it is in a certain speed range, the tires will bounce around some. So to be honest I really don't know what the problem is here. You guys are helping out a lot, because I am still pretty new to this.

Chris

vande97 · 07-15-2001, 09:56 PM

dude, my car did the same thing about three months ago. it felt like the whole car was going to fall apart, if it only does it at a certain speed then it is the drive shaft if it did it at just a certain rpm then it might be the flywheel or soemthing like that
i would get the aluminum drive shaft if i where you!!!!!!!!! come to find out the garage that i took my car to droped the drive shaft upon taking it out and it threw it out of balance pretty da* good

hope this helps!!!

Chris_H · 07-15-2001, 10:21 PM

Well I took the car for a ride last night and it didn't feel as bad as it did the day before. I took it up to around 60mph, felt the shake, so I dropped it into 4th, kept the same speed, and it was still there, so it's not RPM related. Took the car to work today, and as I was getting ready to leave, I saw some stuff caked to the drivers side front wheel. Almost looks like melted blacktop or something stuck to the wheel. So I got to thinking that this may be whats causing the car to shake, kind of like a flat spot on a tire. So I was going to change that tire back to the rear, and bring a rear one up when I got home, and its been raining. Either way the car is going back into the shop tomorrow so we can check a few things out and adjust that clutch more. Thanks for everybody's help, and hopefully in the next day or 2 I can tell you guys what the problem was.

Chris

elmir50 · 07-16-2001, 12:44 AM

Take a look under your car at the driveshaft bolts. Don't be surprised if they are loose. This is a common problem with people not properly tightening driveshaft bolts. When you let off the gas especially on the highway it will vibrate alot if this is the problem. When you give it gas it will mostly go away because you are force the driveshaft bolt holes against the bolts. Anyways good luck.

Chris_H · 07-16-2001, 06:11 PM

Well I finally figured out what the vibration was coming from. It turned out to be that melted tar or blacktop, or whatever the crap is on my wheel. Took it and put it on the back, and the vibration went away. Now all I need to do is do a big burn out and get rid of it. Yeah, I'm sure the wife will love that after what I just did to the last clutch!

I want to thank everybody for their help with this problem. I kinda wish it was the driveshaft so that I could get the aluminum one. oh well, maybe that will be my next problem!

Chris

07-13-2001, 07:57 PM	#1
Chris_H Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 488	Car shakes REAL bad over 60mph... Ok, I just had my clutch changed out because I burned the last one up in a burnout as some of you might know. Well I just got the car back today, and took it on the freeway to bring it home. Anytime I went over 60mph or so, the car felt like it was going to shake itself into little pieces. I thought I had read some posts before on this with people stating it could be the driveshaft. Does this sound like the driveshaft needs to be rotated 180* or am I way off course here? I don't see where they would have messed with anything in the front suspension, but the whole car and the steering wheel just vibrate like crazy. Any help here is greatly appreciated. Chris

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07-13-2001, 08:27 PM	#2
Jeb_Bush_2000 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Taxachusetts Posts: 374	Mine does the same thing, but it's up around 65-68, and only at closed throttle. It feels to me like a front-end vibration, but since it's affected by the throttle, I'm assuming it's a drivetrain problem. Keep us updated.

07-13-2001, 08:49 PM	#3
TEXSN95 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: college station, tx Posts: 143	Try reclocking your driveshaft by rotating it 90 degrees until it's fixed...it probably was put in differenty than was taken out. If that doesnt fix it, then your ujoints are probably shot like mine were. ------------------ Clint L. White 95 Cobra #3637 58cc GT40X heads with mild porting, Crane 2031 cam, FRPP 65 TB, 1.7s, Cobra intake, homeade cold air, 155lph, pullies, Tokico Illuminas, C springs, GW LCAs, Kenny Brown super subs, Steeda CC plates, aluminum driveshaft, Steeda quadrant, B&M ripper, Kirban FPR, MSD6A, Taylor wires, Mac shorties, off road hpipe, 2 1/2 ultra flows w/ dumps, R hood, Euro clear corners, stock 3.08s 13.61 @ 105.7 w/ 2.22

07-13-2001, 09:30 PM	#4
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	Time for an FMS aluminum driveshaft. They rock. ------------------ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

07-13-2001, 11:40 PM	#5
dinomite The Dude Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,262	try rotating it, did you do the clutch yourself? if you didn't take it back to the shop that did!

07-14-2001, 02:11 AM	#6
Chris_H Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 488	No I didn't do the clutch myself. I had my mechanic do it for me. Anything that I don't know how to do, or don't want to take the chances on, I have him and his son do it. The only problem is I won;t be able to get the car back into them until monday after work. As much as I don't want to drive it like this, is it bad for the car if I have to? It also feels like the clutch isn't adjusted right. We adjusted it at the tranny, and with my Steeda adj. quadrant, and it still doesn't feel right. Feels like it is slipping some when I get on it. I appreciate the feedback. Hope to hear more on this from you guys. Chris

07-14-2001, 01:37 PM	#7
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	The vibration can damage the seal on your tranny where your slip yoke slides if the vibration is coming from driveshaft. To adjust the clutch properly, make sure that there is about 1/4" to 1/8" of play in the end of the clutch release fork when you wiggle it back and forth. No more and no less. You also shouldn't be getting on the gas with a brand new clutch. Drive it a while to break it in. ------------------ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

07-14-2001, 04:08 PM	#8
dinomite The Dude Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 1,262	ya, vibrations on any moving parts (engine or drivetrain) can have bad consequences, i'd have it checked out.

07-14-2001, 04:22 PM	#9
Chris_H Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 488	Ok, I called Jegs earlier today and spoke with their tech-line. Not sure how good they are because I have never called them before on something. The guy I talked with says that he doesn;t think it has anything to do with the driveshaft, but rather the flywheel. He thinks that if it was turned (which I'm told it was) then they did it wrong, or it wasn't turned at all. I see no need for my mechanic to lie to me, I'm pretty good friends with him and his family. So, do you guys think that it could be the flywheel, or does it sound more like the driveshaft, or even something else? I mean this thing really shakes, rattles, and rolls around 60-65mph. I haven't tried to go any faster for fear that the car will turn into a million pieces. It's just sitting in the driveway until I absolutely have to drive it. Appreciate all the replys so far. Chris

07-14-2001, 08:37 PM	#10
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	Does it vibrate no matter what gear you are in at those speeds? If it was the flywheel, the vibration would always be associated with a specific RPM and not speed. If it's speed related it would be something after the transmission. ------------------ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

07-14-2001, 10:00 PM	#11
Chris_H Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 488	To tell you the truth, I don't know if it does it at those speeds in another gear. the car ran fine when I was driving it in the city, and in traffic. No problems there. It was only when I got out on the interstate, and in 5th gear. I suppose I should take it out right now and see if I get the same results in 4th gear that I do in 5th, but I really don't want to do that to the car if I don't have to. Thats what gets me, is that it did pretty good in the city, but once I got it up to 60mph on the freeway, it started acting up. I figured ifi t was the flywheel, it would do it at the same RPM in any gear, but according to the tech guy at Jegs, the driveshaft would do it at any RPM and not the flywheel. I tend to feel it would be the driveshaft at certain speeds, kind of like flat spots on a tire. Once it is in a certain speed range, the tires will bounce around some. So to be honest I really don't know what the problem is here. You guys are helping out a lot, because I am still pretty new to this. Chris

07-15-2001, 09:56 PM	#12
vande97 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: okemos Posts: 205	dude, my car did the same thing about three months ago. it felt like the whole car was going to fall apart, if it only does it at a certain speed then it is the drive shaft if it did it at just a certain rpm then it might be the flywheel or soemthing like that i would get the aluminum drive shaft if i where you!!!!!!!!! come to find out the garage that i took my car to droped the drive shaft upon taking it out and it threw it out of balance pretty da* good hope this helps!!!

07-15-2001, 10:21 PM	#13
Chris_H Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 488	Well I took the car for a ride last night and it didn't feel as bad as it did the day before. I took it up to around 60mph, felt the shake, so I dropped it into 4th, kept the same speed, and it was still there, so it's not RPM related. Took the car to work today, and as I was getting ready to leave, I saw some stuff caked to the drivers side front wheel. Almost looks like melted blacktop or something stuck to the wheel. So I got to thinking that this may be whats causing the car to shake, kind of like a flat spot on a tire. So I was going to change that tire back to the rear, and bring a rear one up when I got home, and its been raining. Either way the car is going back into the shop tomorrow so we can check a few things out and adjust that clutch more. Thanks for everybody's help, and hopefully in the next day or 2 I can tell you guys what the problem was. Chris

07-16-2001, 12:44 AM	#14
elmir50 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Tsawwassen BC Canada Posts: 413	Take a look under your car at the driveshaft bolts. Don't be surprised if they are loose. This is a common problem with people not properly tightening driveshaft bolts. When you let off the gas especially on the highway it will vibrate alot if this is the problem. When you give it gas it will mostly go away because you are force the driveshaft bolt holes against the bolts. Anyways good luck.

07-16-2001, 06:11 PM	#15
Chris_H Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: New Mexico Posts: 488	Well I finally figured out what the vibration was coming from. It turned out to be that melted tar or blacktop, or whatever the crap is on my wheel. Took it and put it on the back, and the vibration went away. Now all I need to do is do a big burn out and get rid of it. Yeah, I'm sure the wife will love that after what I just did to the last clutch! I want to thank everybody for their help with this problem. I kinda wish it was the driveshaft so that I could get the aluminum one. oh well, maybe that will be my next problem! Chris