Next! question - front axle vibration

[aerodynamica]

I don't know the cause of a vibration I'm getting from the front end of the Xantia. Basically it is most noticeable on smoother dual carriageways and begins at around 40mph. It feels for all, like an out of balance tyre BUT! it isn't because it was there on the steel wheels and remains on the factory alloys now fitted. I thought it might be a warped brake disk - the brakes were a bit bindy and last week I fitted new front disks and pads - readjusted the handbrake. At first it appeared to have cured it, but it soon returned.

I cant detect any obvious problem with the driveshafts while up on stands, checked the wheels spinning off the ground and they appear straight and true. There are no untoward noises. I wondered if it might be a dying wheel bearing but surely you'd get that at low speeds too.

Also, it seems to reduce in intensity after a steady 50-70 over a good 10 miles of M-way.

It's hard for anyone to tell without feeling/hearing it themselves but would anyone know of a 'known' Xantia problem that might cause this?

Incidentally, I think the tracking is a wee bit too toe-out but not measured yet.

[addo]

My vibrations lessened with new ball joints, then reduced greatly with new inner and outer steering ends, and finally all but disappeared with a proper alignment on newly balanced tyres.

[Peter.N.]

Probably 95% of vibration problems are caused by wheels/tyres. The problem could be with the rear wheels, have you had those balanced? Another problem can be ply seperation which causes bulges on the tyres which doesn't show up on a balancer.

Peter

[VertVega]

... It's hard for anyone to tell without feeling/hearing it themselves but would anyone know of a 'known' Xantia problem that might cause this? ...

In mine similar vibration was caused by the inner CV joint of the right side
drive shaft (the longer one ).
Changing drive shaft solved the problem.

May be you can write symptoms a bit more.
(I added my experience also below)
- Is it speed and/or gear related?
(in mine 3rd and 4th gear were worse. 100km/h and over all fine )
- Does the vibration increase when car is pulling?
(Became worse while pulling, for example uphills)
- Is it felt through the steering wheel or at the pedals and seat and etc.
(No vibration through steering wheel)
============
Edit: I forgot to mention. Gear stick wobble was very "visible" Everything is so smoothly running now.

[aerodynamica]

Hi thanks, yes it can be felt through the steering but doesn't seem much worse accelerating or braking - if I pull it out of gear and coast it remains, that's why I thought it was a wheel bearing just that it doesn't show up at all under 35mph... Car has new brake disks and pads.

It doesn't appear to affect the running though - it's just annoying. I do also suspect a bulge on the tyre (they're part worns fitted 4 weeks ago) snow tyres, so they're just for winter months.

[Peter.N.]

If it was a wheel bearing the chances are that you would hear it long before you would feel it.

Peter

[dnsey]

It's got to be worth trying the spare in each position to see if it's a wheel or tyre problem, but if so, how come it was there with your other wheels?

[aerodynamica]

Well this is still not cured. Swapped round wheels front to rear and not a change. Sourced a replacement full drive shaft and it has reduced it by a fair amount but it still does it from about 60.

Drop links replaced but I do have a worn lh ball joint. Couldn't be that? It's not the wheels so what's left?

[robert_e_smart]

Did you put your steels back on?

[aerodynamica]

Nah Robert, sold them to a polish dude. Rockin ma Belfasts

[robert_e_smart]

Alloy wheels can be a pain to balance and get right.

[aerodynamica]

due new tyres anyway so maybe a second chance!

[KennyW]

Graeme,

Did you fix the lower ball joint you said was duff This could be where the vibration is coming from

I had the same experience with the my old girl where i changed everything and lastly the ball joints and the problem stopped.

Kenny

[aerodynamica]

Hi Kenny, not yet I'll hopefully be doing the NS front ball joint on Saturday.

[aerodynamica]

Generally the car is working well but still the vibration remains. 60-80mph not on new tyres and not a change (possibly slightly worse) and annoying. Replaced; brake pads, disks, repaired handbrake release springs, one lower ball joint, replaced whole driveshaft, had tyres swapped front to rear, rebalanced front and now replaced. New anti roll links and tracking checked. It does pull a bit to the right but only mildly. It also exhibits a certain 'twitchiness' over potholes that I feel is overly sensitive - like the steering is tugged by the pothole unresisted. I recall someone else complaining of this. I aim to replace the other balljoint though it has barely any wear.

I have also done visual checks on the wheels as they're spinning to look for bends - all true as a set square. It's not the wheel bearing as it is silent at low speeds.

No noticeable play in the track rods. Lower arm bushes 'appear' ok. I am still stuck on this one.