81 SX4 vibration at around 75mph....Solved!!!

[recomer]

My 83 Wagon had a similar issue but between 60-65. Ended up being passenger side front tire was out of balance.

[Rucuss]

Im curious to see what you find out with that. I poked around and did the jiggle the drive shaft test but didnt find anything conclusive. Please keep me posted as to your findings. If it fixes yours ill change em in a heart beat..by the way, is yours a stick or an automatic?

I have a stick shift.

[Rucuss]

Ok spent the last two days fixing the U joints. After getting the wrong one for the rear and dropping my drive line at 60mph. Got the new one with the proper half clips for a 81 wagon and the vibration is gone. Now just seem to be leaking transmission fluid from the transfer case. 

[carnuck]

Rear cone or elsewhere? I'm about to part the 129 I have to get the rear cone for my 229 swap and front yoke.

[Rucuss]

Really wish that I knew. The only thing I know is that it isn't or shouldn't be the seal. I replaced it when I had the drive line out. All I can tell so far is that its running from some where and dripping from the out put shaft.

[jonnyeagle]

haha, had the same exact thing at 45 mph in my 85 wagon, automatic. went wild ended up replacing the whole front end 800$, changed the tyrod ends, steering stabilizer shock, upper and lower ball joints, steering gear, front shocks even rotors,and cv joints. (over about 2 weeks, trial and error) after the final work and still same result i had to hesitate not to drive the death wobble wagon right into a nice big oak tree at full speed . after letting it sit and ponder on what it could be, we finally rotated the tires.... it drove 200% better, although the wobble was still a little in the back, it was still drive-able. moral of the story, rotate or bring your tires to a mechanic and get them balanced again. a weight probably fell off.

[carnuck]

It could also be a rear hub going bad too.

[shanebo]

I there's a sale on tires at pep boys so I'm gonna get some new rubber here soon....I'm keeping my fingers crossed this vibration disappears along with the old tires.....how would one check for a bad hub

[jonnyeagle]

when you have the hub right in front grab the bolts and try and move it, you shouldn't be able to jitter up and down too much. should be pretty solid; and smooth when rotating it. like anything when it gets bad, gets sloppy and loose 

[Prafeston]

like anything when it gets bad, gets sloppy and loose 

He went there!

[milliard431]

When you drive a 30 year old car at 75 mph you will create all kinds of leaks and rattles. If it is made of rubber or is considered a gasket then it will need attention. A 30 minute trip down the highway can destroy a rear main seal quicker than  years of around town driving

[shanebo]

Ive been driving it quite a bit lately and im not sure if im just getting used to it or its getting better...but the vibration seems to be lessening, maybe this things like Christine.

[shanebo]

Today I took my eagle in to the shop to get all the fluids changed from front to back. While waiting in the lobby I noticed a sign that said huge tire sale. I inquired while I waited.and they informed me select tires were buy 3 get the third one free.....so I left there with a new set of rubber along with all new fluids. I took the interstate home just to see and sure enough I got her up to 80 with very little vibration...before anything over 80 darn near shook the car apart....it still has a little vibration but it seems to be rpm related so I'm thinking the harmonic balancer may be the next thing on my to do list....all in all though its 95% better.

By the way the guy at the shop informed me the tires I had have not been produced since 1992...I guess it was time.

[vangremlin]

Glad to hear the vibration is pretty much gone Shanebo!  Its amazing your old tires even held air.

Now there is no way the rest of us are going to be able to keep up with you on that drive to the Eagle Motel!!!

[shanebo]

I'm glad I didn't make myself suffer any longer with those tires....they didn't look too terrible but like ya said they had flat spots...heck they were probably only the cars second set.