Vibration through steering at 100kph while accelerating

[pilgrim_traveller Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pilgrim_traveller]

Hi all

Have been driving the latest addition to the family (2005 GRJ120R, 150k) for the last month and very happy overall with it. However, was on the M2 today doing 100kph and noticed that, when coasting, it's smooth as a whistle, but if I lightly accelerate to the point that the revs reach 2krpm, then there is a "resonance" or vibration through the steering column. Can't feel it through the body of the car though, just through the steering wheel. It feels like about 5-6 vibrations per second (~300-360rpm I guess). I don't think it's a wheel balance/alignment issue because I can ONLY feel it when I start to load up the drive train, and particularly at 80-100kph. I know that my rotors need help because when I brake, I feel a bit of shudder, but I can't see this being related.

Is it just that I've found a natural resonance in my car, when my tyre speed and engine rotations are just right to create a resonance? Or is this a sign that something might be slightly out of whack in the drive train that I need to be investigating?

Thanks!

[slider Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close slider]

I had the same sort of thing. It turned out it was the right wheel bearing. (had done 90,000km) Might be worth checking your wheel bearings.

[pilgrim_traveller Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pilgrim_traveller]

Thanks slider - how did you narrow it down to that? Did it only become noticeable when you were accelerating? Quite likely one or both bearings need some help on this one.

[2014PPGTG Moderated member Find all posts View Profile Close 2014PPGTG]

Sorry.....

[pilgrim_traveller Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pilgrim_traveller]

Hi all

Any thoughts on this? When I purchased the car, the inspection I had done indicated that most of the bushes were in "fair" condition (steering/suspension/control arms) - would any wear in these areas potentially cause a vibration when accelerating at 100kph? Don't really notice under or over it - mainly just the 90-100kph region. Otherwise how would I check the bearing? Disassemble it the only way to tell?

Thanks! PT.

[Guest Close Guest]

See if you can detect it as a set RPM, rather than a set speed. So go through your gears and dwell at the RPM you experienced the vibration at 100km/h.

[pilgrim_traveller Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pilgrim_traveller]

Sorry, mentioned in the original post! Is at 2000rpm. Being at that revs and speed I'd presume 5th gear (auto)

[Guest Close Guest]

Oops, missed that. Now see if you can replicate that with the other gears and holding revs at around 2000rpm.

[pilgrim_traveller Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pilgrim_traveller]

Tried a bunch of speeds revs etc on the highway on the weekend and could only get it to vibrate at above revs/speed.

Thanks

[daddy54 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close daddy54]

Hi all.

Is there no one main cause of this symptom? It seems many suggestions are discussed but I can't determine a more 'common' remedy.

I've read many posts on this and other forums about the vibration felt in the steering wheel - 'pins and needles' type as one mentioned. I've only just purchased a 2005 VX V6 petrol with 200,000 klms and have similar symptoms in 5th gear at 90 to 100 klms under light load. Also just had 40mm lift and I can't say for certain the problem existed beforehand. I'm about to complete 200k service and will certainly check CVs and UJs as they are mentioned occasionally.

Any advances on information provided to date? Maybe I've overlooked another post with more information.

Cheers .....

[prado2004 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close prado2004]

unfortunately there are too many variables to narrow it down on a computer, I would suggest asking your mechanic. Could be wheel bearings, alignment, balance, rim that is buckled, bushes gone in the control arms or suspension just to name a few.

Hope that helps

[Davis Dieso Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Davis Dieso]

Having just read this thread, I get the idea it is a vibration that is of high frequency, ie: high speed. There could be a few things in your car going that fast, 1. The engine 2. Ancillary drives 3. The drive shafts. If its the engine, then this should be replicated by just revving the engine whilst stopped. The tail-shafts however would be my first choice of a problem. When a uni joint starts to fail, it usually tightens up, only detected by removing the shaft and moving the joint all ways by hand, feeling for binding.. Following that, the needle rollers fall to bits and then they have lots of clearance and can be detected in position with no load on the shaft. This may be coming from either the front or rear shaft. The phase at which the joint is failing determines when the vibration can be felt.
Also check the Ancillary drives, ie: water pump, alternator, air cond compressor and all bearings on idlers, tensioners etc.
Cheers, Jamie

[Double diffa Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Double diffa]

Has anyone cured this yet?...My 2003 4 liter auto does the same thing, a light pins and needles buzz through the steering wheel under light acceleration.
It does it between 1700 to 2200 rpm regardless of gear or speed, so it's not drive line related, I can lock it in any gear and as soon as it hits 1700 rpm the vibe comes in regardless of speed, lift the foot and it's gone...I can slip it into neutral at said speed and rev the engine, and no buzz.
Somehow engine vibes are getting to the wheel, it's got me knackered, I have checked engine and exhaust mounts and all are good.
If it was drive line related it would do it at a set speed, not at a set rev...It seems very common on the Prado, I'm surprised it hasn't been solved yet.

[Guest Close Guest]

There was another thread where the owner replaced the injectors and the vibration went away.

[pilgrim_traveller Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close pilgrim_traveller]

I have a feeling it's my auto transmission so I'm ignoring it for now. It's not getting any worse. For the cost of a rebuild of the tranny I can almost get a refurb. So instead of preventative maintenance, I'm just going to wait and see Although I'm curious about amts's comment and I'm going to have to find that thread. I've been wondering about my noisy injectors for awhile. Problem is that isn't a cheap experiment to do with quality injectors.

FWIW, I've replaced bushings on front LCAs, had all four wheels re-aligned/balanced, had the wheels rotated and had new tyres put on front, all with no difference. Also replaced one of my front CV shafts after the inner seal went, and replaced the associated tie rod end after I busted the thread in the aforementioned job, still no diff. Eventually I'll have to replace the other CV shaft but I really don't think that's where the issue is, as as you've mentioned it only happens when you apply load... POSSIBLY suspension but I really doubt it.

Brett