<VV> Vibration

[James P. Rice]

Randy:  My experience is if the steering wheel vibrates, the problem is in
the front.  If not, it is in the back.

You could have a tread separating on a tire. I don't know how much a tread
separation will affect tire balance.  It might not show up on any but a
really good balancing machine run by a skilled operator.  Check the treads
for a small abnormal spot of wear.  Or put a carpenters square on the floor
and visually inspect tread while rotating the tire.  If the tread wiggles,
it is separating from the plies.

Then again, you are driving a 45 year old car.  Every bushing in the car has
a perfect right to die.  If you think they are dying, they are probably
dead.  Would you drive on 45 yr old tires?

Please be careful out there.

Historically Yours,
			James Rice

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Message: 5
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2011 03:03:50 +0000 (UTC)
From: judynrandy at comcast.net
Subject: <VV> vibration/shimmy?
To: virtualvairs at corvair.org

I have a problem.  I have an annoying vibration/shimmy I can't track down in
my '65.

Here are the facts: At first, I thought is was the pitman arm bushing. I
replaced the old one as it was definitely about dead.  It stiffened up the
steering a bit, but didn't cure the problem. I then suspected an out of
balance or bent wheel. I got all 4 wheels balanced and none were out of
balance much.

It doesn't feel like its coming from the front wheels as you don't feel
anything at the steering wheel. It seems like its coming from the rear.  I
recently readjusted the front wheel bearings and checked to see that all the
U-joints were tight while under there to readjust the brakes.  Everything
checked out fine.  However, when doing all this I noticed the inner strut
rod bushings were dying a slow death.

Nothing obvious with the shocks.  One last clue is it doesn't seem to start
vibrating/shimmying until you've gone over 50+ mph.  As you approach 55 and
higher it get worse and stays there until you slow down.

My thoughts would be possibly a dead or dying shock.  Or, since the rear
strut rod bushings are dying, but not dead yet, could they have become "egg"
shaped and have enough slop in them to allow the rods to "vibrate" or
"shimmy" at speed?

As this car is, right now, my families only daily driver (a long story) any
and all thoughts?or suggestions would? be appreciated.

Thanx, ( And Merry Christmas!)
Randy (Cap'n) Hook
'65 4dr monza 110/pg
'63 ragtop 84/pg
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Message: 8
Date: Tue, 20 Dec 2011 08:05:34 -0500
From: Harry Smith <harrysmith1957 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: <VV> vibration/shimmy?
To: judynrandy at comcast.net
Cc: virtualvairs at corvair.org

It has been my experience on many different vehicles, non Corvairs, that a
vibration starting at that speed is caused by something turning, tire,
wheel, brake drum or rotor. Also balanced tires can still cause a vibration,
I would recommend finding a tire shop that has a road force machine to check
them. That machine will determine if a wheel is bent or if a tire is out of
round.
Harry Smith
1963 Rampside
Coral Springs, FL

"THERE IS NO TRY,
THERE IS ONLY DO
OR DO NOT"