vibration

[dblcola]

Hello I'm new here but I've been lurking for a few weeks now and think this is the best Suzuki forum I've seen. Thanks for having me join.
I have a newly purchased 93 sidekick 4x2 that has annoying vibration that starts at about 30mph. It is a standard shift. The po said he put new brakes, universal joints, and clutch in it recently. I had the tires rotated and balanced. It seems to be a little more noticable under load in 4th and 5th gear.
Any suggestions as to where I should begin trying to find the problem?
I'm sure this is why thepo sold it.
Thanks
Richard

[gorkyb]

Welcome dblcola, does the vibration happen while driving at any speed above 30 mph? When cruising, when braking? I found out with mine that I had a high spot in one of the tires and my struts where also worn out (not saying this is wrong with yours, just a reference) reasons for vibration can be many and hard to find. I would first get both front tires off the ground using secure jack stands on the frame (don't put jack stands under the body or you'll bend it) and start testing all suspension parts and wheel bearings for looseness. With mine I got tired so since I needed new tires anyway I just invested a couple hundred of dollars extra on getting all new suspension parts for the front end but with patience you can definitely figure out which parts are bad before you replace anything.

Did you notice an improvement on the vibration after tires were rotated around?

[dblcola]

Yes it starts at about 30mph and stays with me to at least 60mph (fastest I've driven it). Braking doesn't seem to change anything. Also pulled the ebrake and didn't notice any change. I had a friend ride with me and he said he thought it was coming from the back? Did not notice any change after balance and rotation. I will jack and test as you suggested.My tires look almost new.

[fixkick]

finding the location is key , where?, front , rear? Left /right sides?
like gorky said. is all true.
the slightest tire imbalance (stock tire size?) will be amplified by bad front struts. (bad dampeners will allow the tires to go out of control)
many a time, we'd have someone follow us an watch the tires, see if the do FUNNY tricks, (like move in illegal directions or bounce?)

finding noise on any moving car is not only hard but very dangerous work. ( i recommend a professional, in most cases)

my noise page.
http://www.fixkick.com/NOISE.html


so vibration?, never heard? just felt, and felt by what, hands , feet, seat of pants?

felt as hand touches shifter?
where do you feel it.?

we have no place to start, only a vibration.
see Scotty use his, 4 channel electronic ear (they are cheap to buy and they have 1 channel to very cheap) ask

but watch scotty vids.
see him find location first. (he is the best, for vids, so is Duanes videos. Duane is ASE Master and has all the tools to do the job fast but noise and vibs are the most hard.

http://scottykilmer.homestead.com/Fixing...ideos.html

[dblcola]

Well both of you have given me a lot to think about and check. Thanks a lot. It will probably be a while before I get back as it looks like I've got a lot of work to do. Again thanks.

[fixkick]

where to you feel those vibs.?????

and is it heard too?
does it get worse, turning? or less?
up hills, down, coasting, full engine power WOT, or cruise
does it do funny things hitting speed bumps
when a car is moving there are vast numbers of variables, there. and how you drive.
and id never give a thought to PO;s statements.

I just tuned it up?, is.
"last decade. they did 1/2 the steps."
only reality counts. that takes testing and inspections.
On my first 91, i found the front lower left front suspension A arm the bolt was 99% off, hanging from a tread, if that come off , you would loose steering.
i inspect ever inch of new to home , used cars.
later found 10 show stoppers.
all cars this old have many problems, all ignored by PO's

I'd never ignore noise or vibration until sure form where it comes from and why?
finding the cause early can save an engine or trans. or a life.

[dblcola]

I feel the vibs more when its under load .going up a hill , and I can feel it in the gear shift knob. I mostly feel it in 4th and 5th gear, and mostly above 30 mph.It also is there when decelerating. I just came back from town and noticed that coming down a hill I put the car in neutral, letting it idle and the vibration didn't change a bit it continued to vibrate.

[fixkick]

is it not misfire? but not in decel, decel is cut fuel, no misfire.
so must be transmission issues?
vibrated in neutral. if the tranny is not whining its ok in neutral, must be 5sp clutch?

might be rear prop shaft u-joints bad, just wiggle them by hand and look for rust at the 4 tips, where the cups meet the cross. see any funny material there , (not grease) bad u-joint.
usually the vibrated under load or coasting in gear.

[dblcola]

I'll be under it tomorrow.

[fixkick]

see my noise page
and scotty videos.

they are fun to watch.