Hi all,

I've sure learned that it's 'always something' with these Rovers. I've recently started having a new problem where the truck shakes almost violently sometimes between 25-40 MPH when I am accelerating. Did some reading on here, got scared and rebuilt my front driveshaft with centering bearing and greasable U-joints but the problem is still there. It's really driving me nuts.

The feeling mostly goes away if I let off the accelerator or throw it in neutral. Above 40 it dies off but is still there, just less pronounced. Have read high and low and can't find a decent explanation on here. Can't really tell if it's there in low range because the drivetrain is just louder/coarser overall. Definitely isn't as bad if it is there at all though.

What the hell could it be? I know the joints for the shaft are good now, maybe the shaft needs to be balanced though? My only issue with that diagnosis is that it shouldn't go away in neutral should it? It would be still spinning/shaking.

I'm so lost on this one, please HELLLLPPPPP!

 

sounds like tire/wheel balance

 

If it were a wheel/tire balance issue, wouldn't it do it regardless of whether the engine were loading the drivetrain or not? It can be shaking pretty good and then I let off the gas and it just stops shaking.

 

What would it hurt to have your tires checked?

 

Vibes are a real PITA. The ultimate test, a bit risky but hey ho, I've done it a few times. Jack up the truck and put it on 4 axle stands under the axles that are well positioned on a flat even surface. Pick somewhere where if anything goes wrong you don't end up going through the back of your garage or the side of your house (make sure it's pointing at someone else's ) Leave the wheels on initially and run the truck through the gears using the throttle and note whether the vibes still persist. If they do take off all 4 wheels and repeat. Get a second person to observe the truck with the hood open and from the side underneath. (Whatever you do don't let them get underneath) If the problem persists and you have CDL take off the front drive shaft and engage the CDL then repeat the running exercise. Video the engine and transmission behaviour during these phases and listen to the diff noises.

Points to look for:

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1. LIST=1]
2. Wheel balancing
3. Front and rear drive shafts particularly the cardan at the front and rotoflex at the rear.
4. Engine mountings.
5. Strange noises from the drive train.
6. Watch the wheel bearings closely
7. Check the Engine is firing on all cylinders.

My guess it's drive train somewhere (Einstein )

If after this you still have the vibes drive it to an LR specialist garage and let them check it out..................or...................down to the scrap yard.

 

I've had a similar vibration, though mine is less severe and comes back worse at 70. I replaced the tires (because they needed it), whih had no effect on the vibration. I rebuilt then replace the front driveshaft. The replacement (a used stock shaft that I rebuilt) smoothed things out a bit, but not all the way, especially at 70, though that one seems to be intermittent.

Ultimately I have just decided to live with it. I did check the front bearings for excessive play, and I tried to wiggle around everything I could to find the problem with no luck.

Part of me thinks the front yoke got slightly bent when the driveshaft failed (previous owner) and tore a hole in the floor. But that wouldn't be intermittent, so maybe not. I'd bet it's a bearing somewhere in the front drivetrain, but I haven't had the energy to track it down, and it doesn't seem to be getting worse.

 

I would look at your front ball joints. If they are old and have a little play it can cause one or both of you front wheels to shave violently under various speeds and loads.

 

A worn steerring damper will give the symptoms described.