Shake and a rattle (no roll yet!)

My teeth are falling out! I had to do 100 motorway miles today and have developed a couple of new noises, rattles and wobbles, which seem completely unrelated but could be connected...

1. When i reach about 55 and at a point where the throttle is neither down nor up - about keeping the car going (neither accelerating nor engine-braking) and generally only when going in a straight line (ie it seems to stop if i turn the wheel) i get a sort of rumbling noise. If i accelerate or lift right off the pedal it reduces. It has always (in my ownership) done this (and i'm not too worried, i usually just go everywhere at less than 55!)

2. More worrying and recent, at about 35 and only when accelerating (or the engine is under strain, like going up a hill) i get a wobble. It doesn't do it when freewheeling, going downhill or when the engine isn't physically driving the wheels, but it does it up to about 55 mph (which is when the other one kicks in!) - i am more worried about this one as it is far more violent and has come about recently - i dunno if it's related but i noticed the start of something squeaking under these conditions a couple of weeks ago.

Am thinking maybe i need to do something with the front propshaft (like replace it!) but am reluctant as am thinking if it was this problem wouldnt it be at all speeds or states of engine strain??

Any thoughts on where to look would be most welcome!

Cheers all
OD

get yer arse down and check uj's, bj's, wheel bearing, swivels and wheel balance

What's the sign on the UJ's failing - what to look fer - i went to grease them all and only the front prop ones have nipples! (is that normal?) - and might that have that effect (that was me first thought but wasn't sure what to look fer so slapped a load a grease wherever i could!)

Bearings OK, checked them (and replaced a couple) a while ago, checked again at the weekend.

Wheel balance - sounds likely, will double check tomorrow (esp as i have boost alloys on and thinkin bout it the prob developed since i had the front ones off - maybe they ain't back on properly - or maybe i should get some sensible wheels??!)

Do propshafts need balancing or greasing - if so how, and is it better just to replace?? I have two little bits of metal welded onto them about 6" from either end?

sounds like the second one is prop/uj related

the bits of metal are balance weights, check the ujs for play

uj's.. hold the prop in one hand and the flange in the other, now try and twist them. if there is play yule notice it.


bj's clamp yer hand over the ball part and get someone to wiggle yer steering, yule feel any wear and possible hear a clunk

props dunt usually need owt doing except fer uj's


the metal bits is yer prop balance, unless they fall off they dint need nowt doing to em

Cheers chaps, will check me UJ's properly tomorrow.

Quick update...

replaced the whole front propshaft this afternoon (bugger them bolts on the transfer box end are tricky to get to!) which sorted out BOTH problems!

On inspection of the one i took out, the UJ's were a bit loose (so probably the first wobble) but the main problem was the splines were worn so there was movement of about a millimetre actually within the splined shaft, as well as a lot of rust, bits of metal, dirt etc, so that would have been the second "shake". The splines themselves were pretty worn so that would no doubt have been a tow-home waiting to happen!

Went for a spin and it's like driving a new car - took it to 70 (which i haven't done for a while!) - no shake, no rattle and absolutely no roll - and driving off from a standstill, and gear changes are noticeably quiter and smoother!

Good job done! Thanks for your help and advice!

OD

is yer weldin done yet?

Not yet, it's booked in for next Tues

ps just emailed yer!

did we fail the mot then odenne?

Yes, bloody garrij - i booked it in a week early (2 weeks ago!) coz i thought there'd be a bit of welding needed on the chassis and when it failed they said they couldn't do it for at least a week - wass the bleedin point of tryin to be organised!

Anyone see Grand DFesigns with the German house last night - we mighta won the war, but we really haven't got a clue now - god only knows how!! Bit embarassing to be english after that!