Still chasing a vibration... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

454c20 · 04-19-2009, 09:23 AM

This is pertaining to my truck (87 Chevy 1/2 ton long bed 4wd), heres the breakdown on what the truck does and what I've done.

Basically, I can be driving at a steady speed with no vibration/shimmy at all and then it will start vibing/shimming, sometimes worse than other times. Since its not constant, I think I can rule out driveshafts, wheels/tires, and pretty much every rotational mass. Over the past year, I've had a new rear driveshaft made (old one was bent), new front driveshaft made (slip yoke on old one was worn), brand new tires (BFG A/T, balanced), new rear drums (old ones were flaking and out of round), passenger side balljoints and tie rod end, plus new front 3/4 ton springs, sway bar bushings, steering stabilizer, and shocks. The front axle has manual locking hubs, which in either position do not seem to effect the vibration. I've had the rear apart to find excessive backlash but no heavy wear. It makes no noise so for the time being I'm leaving it alone (waiting on funds for new front/rear gears to compensate for the larger tires).

Anyways, I really have no idea what to try or look for next. Everything seems tight. Am I making a correct assumption saying since its not constant I can rule out rotating parts?

The only thing I've yet to do is have a front end alignment done. With these old trucks, I think the only adjustability is in the steering, correct?

Any thoughts? I picked up my new car trailer yesterday, and with it empty, the vibration/shimmy seems to be more pronounced, although this might just have been my mind playing games. I feel it in the wheel and front floorboards which makes me think its the front end.

Any thoughts or input? I'd like to remedy this once and for all .

Eturnit3 · 04-19-2009, 05:06 PM

possibly tie rod ends, alignment, broken belt in a tire maybe unbalanced wheel, ball joints? And aside from steering gear adjustments, your alignment could also be adjusted with tie rod ends and steering link. I had this problem with an old (dare i say it) ford and it ended up being the tire... would only happen every once in a while and if I would smack the inside of the rim in a certain spot it would stop for awhile.. :lol I would only resort to the hammer for fords though

Blue_71 · 04-19-2009, 07:23 PM

do you have any lift on the truck? it could be the angle of your driveshaft, occasionally getting in a bind

shakedown96 · 04-19-2009, 11:19 PM

it is unclear if you have done all the work after the vibration or it has developed scince the work. but I will try
pinion angle with the new front 3/4 ton springs could cause it espesaly with the trailer this would also be the case with a lift or adding leafs to the back to compinsate for the larger tires you mentioned.

04-19-2009, 09:23 AM	#1
454c20 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cape Cod Posts: 69	Still chasing a vibration... This is pertaining to my truck (87 Chevy 1/2 ton long bed 4wd), heres the breakdown on what the truck does and what I've done. Basically, I can be driving at a steady speed with no vibration/shimmy at all and then it will start vibing/shimming, sometimes worse than other times. Since its not constant, I think I can rule out driveshafts, wheels/tires, and pretty much every rotational mass. Over the past year, I've had a new rear driveshaft made (old one was bent), new front driveshaft made (slip yoke on old one was worn), brand new tires (BFG A/T, balanced), new rear drums (old ones were flaking and out of round), passenger side balljoints and tie rod end, plus new front 3/4 ton springs, sway bar bushings, steering stabilizer, and shocks. The front axle has manual locking hubs, which in either position do not seem to effect the vibration. I've had the rear apart to find excessive backlash but no heavy wear. It makes no noise so for the time being I'm leaving it alone (waiting on funds for new front/rear gears to compensate for the larger tires). Anyways, I really have no idea what to try or look for next. Everything seems tight. Am I making a correct assumption saying since its not constant I can rule out rotating parts? The only thing I've yet to do is have a front end alignment done. With these old trucks, I think the only adjustability is in the steering, correct? Any thoughts? I picked up my new car trailer yesterday, and with it empty, the vibration/shimmy seems to be more pronounced, although this might just have been my mind playing games. I feel it in the wheel and front floorboards which makes me think its the front end. Any thoughts or input? I'd like to remedy this once and for all . __________________ Thanks Nick '87 1/2ton 4wd-mild 355, TH400, long tubes, 3" single Magnaflow, manual locking hubs '88 SS-built 357, 2004r, 9.5" 3200 stall, 4.10 posi 8.5 '94 9C1-174k, built 4L60e, Hughes 2500 stall, 3.73 posi, 93oct tune, 2.5" true duals

04-19-2009, 05:06 PM	#2
Eturnit3 Bloodied Knuckles Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Grass Valley CA Posts: 273	Re: Still chasing a vibration... possibly tie rod ends, alignment, broken belt in a tire maybe unbalanced wheel, ball joints? And aside from steering gear adjustments, your alignment could also be adjusted with tie rod ends and steering link. I had this problem with an old (dare i say it) ford and it ended up being the tire... would only happen every once in a while and if I would smack the inside of the rim in a certain spot it would stop for awhile.. :lol I would only resort to the hammer for fords though

04-19-2009, 11:19 PM	#4
shakedown96 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: gilboa ny Posts: 91	Re: Still chasing a vibration... it is unclear if you have done all the work after the vibration or it has developed scince the work. but I will try pinion angle with the new front 3/4 ton springs could cause it espesaly with the trailer this would also be the case with a lift or adding leafs to the back to compinsate for the larger tires you mentioned.



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