Dreaded vibration on p38, help please.....

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garnerj

New Member
Posts
7
Hi Guys, I am looking for some expert advice on an issue that I have been experiencing for some time now and just can;t get to the bottom of. I have spend Days, hours or even months researching the issue on the forumns and have spend more money than I care to remember with Variosu garages and specialist in an attemtp to resolve and I am no further forward.

I have a vibration in the cabin of my P38 (a late model 2002 Vogue SE). It manifest itself through the cabin itself rather than the steering wheel and can be felt "through the seat of my pants" along withbeing physically seen with the passenger seat vibrating. It gets worse with speed, its minimal at lower speeds but from 50mph upwards its unbearable now and as a result I am not driving the car which is such a shame as its been my pride and joy for some 10 years now!.

Ove the course of the last couple of years, at suggestions of many a "specialist" and through my own persevernce I have had the folwing work carried out but all to no avail:-

All wheels replaced with genuine land rover replacements (I was told by one garage that one was buckled hence this action.
All tyres replaced with brand new ones (done once to scorpion ST's and once to Grabber AT2's)
All 4 UJ's replaced on probs
Both Prob relaced with brand new Hardy Spicer onces.
steerring damper replaced
All shocks replaced with Koni Adjustables.
All air springs replaced
air compressor and valve block replaced (not really relevant but thought that I'd mention it anyway)
Rear wheel bearings replaced
Gearbox replaced a while back for a reconditioned one.
diff oild replaced, seemed in pretty good nik.
Full engine rebuild by RPI engineering (this cost more than the car was worth, a small fortune in fact, which shows you how much I want to fix the problem as the car is very dear to me)
Replaced flex plate
Viscous coupling tested and confirmed as working
All suspension bushes replaced
Ball joints etc checked and confirmed OK

It really does feel like a drivetrain issue as it increases with speed but I am no expert and am now simply out of ideas. the most recent "expert" that looked at it who was recommended by Ashcroft Transmissions when I consulted them has said that he hasn't got a clue and doesn't think I will ever solve it.

Any advice is very much appreciated so that I can try and get back to enjoying what has been a great car to me. I have done over 150K in it in the 10 years I have owned it. I am only the second owner, the first being Jimmy white the snooker player. Its not had a hard life with most of its miles being long distances when it was my daily driver. Its been serviced with top quality fluids and genuine parts every 6K miles and this is the only issue I have ever had apart from the usual suspension airbag issues etc.

Please, someone help me to keep the car alive and save it from the scrapheap, minus the engine that I would try and recoup some of my money from!
 
Bear in mind I'm no expert and just trying to help throw up ideas.

Has the car ever had a crash? If the chassis were twisted slightly it might cause some issues.

If no crash then how about the wheel alignment - all angles. I'm not sure what effect the adjustable struts might have on that. I tend to only replace with what was on before, just in case. Probably just me being silly.
 
I know you've had the gearbox replaced. Did you do gear box mounts at the same time? Did mine and it stopped my vibration just a thought...
 
No deadly serious. Check on Rave or under your motor. Look for a large round weight bolted around the diff area, should have an earth strap as well:)

The strap or more correctly cable is to stop the bloody great weight falling to Earth if the rubber mount fails. It could cause a bit of bother at 70 MPH on a motorway if it broke loose. :D:D
 
Thanks for all the replies guys, see answers below, think I have got them all! :)

Yeah, I have tried with each prob out in turn but still the same.

Engine and gearbox mounts all appear good according to y mechanic and the engine replacement guys but I think I am gunna change anyway as a matter of corse.

Koni's were fitted after the issue started and did not make it better or worse.

I am based in Milton Keynes.

Checked the brakes today and thy don't appear warped and the calipers are not siezed.
 
Torque converter and flex plate have both been replaced recently. No change there. Damping weights are on both front and rear axles and seem ok.

Keep the ideas coming guys. It's great to have oter people's thoughts on the matter.
 
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