vibration ~42 mph

[turbostar]

My 2006 Z85 has a small vibration that I have not been able to diagnose so far. It occurs between 40-45 mph. Tires were rebalanced,then finally replaced with a new set and the vibration remains. It does not seem to be rpm related as coasting down a hill in neutral it is there at that same mph. Anyone have a similar problem and solved it? Thanks guys.

[Special-Ed]

did you whack the drive shaft? how about a bent rim?

[turbostar]

Thanks for the ideas Ed,but the driveshaft "looks" pristine and it is not an off road vehicle. The rims were checked when we put on the new tires. I wonder if driveshaft balance is a common problem with these trucks. Mine is a one piece alum that is very large in diameter. I wish there was a driveshaft closer than Albuquerque-that's 3 1/2 hrs away. If it was closer I would have the balance checked just to make sure it was ok.

[Special-Ed]

yes drive shafts need to be balanced... how many miles? it could be a u joint going bad... it could also be a bad front cv joint if its 4 wheel drive or a bad front axle

pull the tires and spin the hubs and axles... is there runout?

[turbostar]

it's 2wd with only 49,000 miles. The u joints seem very tight in the vehicle-have not taken them apart though.

[lurch115]

might be the tred pattern. I put Cooper AT3's on my '03 and because of the lug spacing it has a light vibration at about 40 to 45mph.

[turbostar]

Thanks for the idea Lurch. I actually pulled the all terrains that were on it and replaced with smooth highway tires. Seemed to make it better but still something there. I spent a day checking everything I could for something worn or loose in the front end. I found two possible culprits. When I grab the drivers front wheel at 3 and 9 o'clock and try to wiggle it,there is a looseness that is not there on the passenger side. It appears to be coming from the tie rod where it goes into the steering shaft. Also the front shocks don't appear to be doing much damping. Both of these are surprising to me with a truck that only has 49000 miles and otherwise seems like new.

[lurch115]

milage isn't the only culprit to shocks going bad age can effect them as well. Sounds like your tie rod end is bad. I'd be changing that and the shocks and getting it aligned. Bet that will cure your vibration.

[turbostar]

Thanks Lurch for those encouraging words. As time and weather allow I will change the tie rod,install new front shocks and get it re-aligned. Hope that does it,as those are the only problems I could find.