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Got it fixed, I installed a new rear drive shaft bushing since the old was worn out, please scroll down for details.
I have a weird, very low frequency vibration for a few months, which starts around 55 mph and goes away over 65 mph. It sounds like coming from the body (like the whole body resonates) and not from below. There is absolutely no vibration on the steering wheel. It is not the engine, when I cruise in neutral down a hill it is the same. Tires are brand new, and there is no difference before or after the new tires. Does anyone have such a noise or probably knows what it is?
I am suspicious of the front drive shaft, since it was very hard to get it greased last time.
Last edited by Discorama; Oct 14, 2021 at 01:49 PM.
Wheels spin at a lower rate than almost anything else, so it might be possible that you've got an out of balance or out of round wheel. Tires with different circumferences can set up resonances that beat at the rate of the difference in revolution speed, so think if you have different tires front or rear, that may be a cause of a low frequency vibration. There may be other causes, but here's two to think about and perhaps rule out.
My 03 D2 had a weird similar vibration around 45 to 55. Not there below or above that range. My front driveshaft was an aftermarket serviceable one (forget the brand) and very low miles. Swapped it for a Tom Woods driveshaft and no more vibration.
Tires are brand new and a different type. Old tires were H/T, new tires are A/T. No difference before and after. I am ruling that out.
Sorry, I was unclear. Good that you have brand new tires. What I meant is that my current Disco came to me with Michelins on the front and Rikens on the back, and they have a slightly different rolling circumference. A set of new tires wouldn't have that problem, so you're safe to rule that out.
Sean is right that bent or out-of-balance drive shafts, or worn U-joints, or a worn CV joint could explain the vibration too.
I believe this is the culprit. Drive shaft has lateral play at the diff. Metal was knocking on metal, the bushing is worn and the drive shaft isn't centered anymore. I am trying to get the bushing with the grease press method out, but it doesn't budge. I would buy a new shaft, but I can't even find one.
Left new, right old (still in).
Last edited by Discorama; Oct 12, 2021 at 04:34 PM.
Finally I got the bushing replaced. The trick is to seal the hole perfectly and to apply some decent force. Now the drive shaft with the new bushing is in and the vibration is gone.
I used universal grease, a #3 rubber plug (cut to size), and an 1/2" Allen bolt. A stable and safe set up is required, since quite some force must be applied (don't apply force on the u-joint, pull out the yoke before). A 4 lbs hammer does the job. Bushing came out after three repeats. Grease has to be added every time, since it fills out the growing space. Cleaned housing. New bushing was cooled down with dry ice, housing of the drive shaft was heated up to about 250 F with a heat gun. Bushing placed,but it didn't fall down on its own weight. One slight tap with a hammer and it went all the way down. Done!
Finally I got the bushing replaced. The trick is to seal the hole perfectly and to apply some decent force. Now the drive shaft with the new bushing is in and the vibration is gone.
I used universal grease, a #3 rubber plug (cut to size), and an 1/2" Allen bolt. A stable and safe set up is required, since quite some force must be applied (don't apply force on the u-joint, pull out the yoke before). A 4 lbs hammer does the job. Bushing came out after three repeats. Grease has to be added every time, since it fills out the growing space. Cleaned housing. New bushing was cooled down with dry ice, housing of the drive shaft was heated up to about 250 F with a heat gun. Bushing placed,but it didn't fall down on its own weight. One slight tap with a hammer and it went all the way down. Done!
I really appreciate you posting the method you used to remove this bushing. After failing to remove it with a blind hole bearing puller I came across your post and your method worked effortlessly.
Weird body vibration around 60 mph
