Vibration after front end rebuild

[LocuMob]

So I replaced everything in the front suspensionof my Polara, and now I have a vibration while I'm driving. It starts after I accelerate to 55-60 and then slow down, and again around 40 mph if just cruising. New bushings, shocks wheel bearings and seals, new brake shoes, turned drums, and new old bias ply tires. I followed the FSM procedure for everything I replaced and double checked and triple checked my work.

One person I know asked if it happens if I shift into neutral and coast, which I haven't tried. (not sure what that would tell me). They suspect the tires, which have been sitting in a garage since the early 80's. I have to wait until Monday to check the balance on them. The tire guy had to add 1/2 ounce to the inner side of the wheel, not too common?

I'll try the coasting bit in the morning to see what it does. I hope it's something simple, and I have one more tire I can use to replace a bad one. Any and all help appreciated in advance.


Scott

 

[CanCritter]

would check front tires for balance and enshure rims are straight...could also have them spin the tires on the rims 180degrees and rebalance..sounds like a tire rim issue

 

[70bigblockdodge]

I can restore this threads lost post, tires, tires, tires, tires, tires, Bob hates old tires, tires, tires. there I think thats good.

 

[1978 NYB]

I can restore this threads lost post, tires, tires, tires, tires, tires, Bob hates old tires, tires, tires. there I think thats good.

Good job! LOL!

 

[LocuMob]

So here's what I found after switching the tires side to side: the vibration moved to the other side, if that makes any sense to you. It bounced more wildly before, it bounces more firmly now. I believe it was the tire on the passenger, now on the drivers side. I'm going to take my spare old *** nos tire and swap them and see what happens. Btw, I accelerated to 110 on speedo, closed course of course, and let off. No vibration at all, u joints are good. Did have vibration at 45-50ish, again seemed like drivers side.

Let me know what you think. I look forward to your replies.

 

[mgm1986]

So here's what I found after switching the tires side to side: the vibration moved to the other side, if that makes any sense to you. It bounced more wildly before, it bounces more firmly now. I believe it was the tire on the passenger, now on the drivers side. I'm going to take my spare old *** nos tire and swap them and see what happens. Btw, I accelerated to 110 on speedo, closed course of course, and let off. No vibration at all, u joints are good. Did have vibration at 45-50ish, again seemed like drivers side.

Let me know what you think. I look forward to your replies.

Sounds like tires to me. I had a similar issue where it would wobble at 45-55mph. New tires and its smooth as silk. The tires replaced were eight years old and the tread looked fine. When I started looking more closely though and I could actually feel a lump on the wall of the tire. Run your hand along the tread and the sidewall of the tires and see if you can feel a noticeable flat or raised section in any of the tires. If the tires were not stored properly I could see them having a flat spot.

 

[polara71]

Wow, 110 on VERY OLD tires....you have more balls than I do....

 

[LocuMob]

Wow, 110 on VERY OLD tires....you have more balls than I do....

Yeah, I might not be the brightest bulb. However, the car drives awesome at higher speeds. The tire guy checked one tire today, said it was balanced, and had no wobble, wish he would have checked BOTH the tires, not just the one I thought was bad. Oh well, wait some more. Get the other tire checked out right when he opens and swap it out if bad. If nothing looks feels bad I'll pick up some more old bias plywood off my buddies Super Bee. What can I say, I like keeping it old. Oops, I mean old school.

 

[polara71]

I have no trouble pushing the odometer to its limits, but on shaky tires or knowing something is wrong and still pushing the limit.....:3gears:

 

[LocuMob]

I had to see if there was a difference. It's never felt bad accelerating, and I just felt like running her out a little. It was up to then coasting back down. Basically ran through first and second, then let off after shifting to third.

I've driven one car at 105 for about 5 miles with the doughnut spare on the front and another disintegrated doughnut he same distance at 55.First example was really scary as hell looking back now, the later I was surprised at how the car handled. Rough but you could let go of the wheel and it would track straight. I guess my point is I'm aware of the potential failure and am not driving without paying full attention to whatbtje car is telling me. But yeah, not necessarily the smartest thing. Hope to figure it out in the morning

 

[1970cat]

try putting the out of balance one in the rear. you shouldn't notice a small imbalance in the back

 

[73 T&C]

try putting the out of balance one in the rear. you shouldn't notice a small imbalance in the back

Yep!

 

[LocuMob]

try putting the out of balance one in the rear. you shouldn't notice a small imbalance in the back

I have big and little tires so that won't work. On my way to see what the tire guy found.

 

[LocuMob]

Well, he spun the tire 180° and it didn't want to balance easily, so he spun it back and put weights on the outside of the rim, which I think looks tacky on slots, but it seemed fine on the road test. I still think it's a bad tire, but it isn't vibrating anymore. If it starts acting up again I'll swap it out.

 

[polara71]

You brave soul

 

[68blackbird]

I agree with others, driving around on 30+ year old tires is asking for trouble. I just got my Fury, tires on there "looked" almost new, checked the sate on them , they were made in 2006, I replaced them immediately. Don't want to risk tire coming apart and ripping a 1/4 panel apart..or worse....but that's just me.

 

[polara71]

A ten year old tire doesn't bother me... A thirty year old tire doesn't. One that has balance issues dry rot or is a bias then I am nervous

 

[1978 NYB]

Good luck!

I'm not a spiritual person but I think this is appropriate here IMHO.

 

[LocuMob]

Thank you all for the cringing blessings, I do appreciate the concern. These tires look brand new, are soft and aren't what I had hoped for. I've had dry rotted cracked bald tires that didn't give me any trouble. Bias ply doesn't bother me, they keep you alert with all the wandering they like to do. I got another set from a friend that were good on his B body, so one more shot after these and then I'll break down and buy some radials. Ironically all the tires that fell/blew apart were radials. At least I'm not out a lot of money.

Thanks again for the opinions.

Scott

 

[LocuMob]

The correct answer is: wheel bearings worked themselves loose. Used the service procedure and check them twice. Patted the bearing in grease in my hands til it cam through the rollers. The cups felt like they were seated all the way. Almost two full turns to tighten. Not enough grease?