High Speed Vibration/Noise

[55 Fargo]

Hi all, Yesterday adjusted brakes, got a good pedal, brakes are real good too.

On the highway at 55 mph and over, have a vibration, and what sounds like a tire noise, the type of noise you get over pavement when the score it all up, just before re-ashphalting.

I know my u-joints aren't the greatest, and my tires have some miles on them, but are balanced and in resonably good shape.

Does anyone have any ideas about this?...Thanx in advance..............Fred

[garbagestate 44]

Just a long shot but could you have lost one those lead balancing weights from one of your wheels?

[55 Fargo]

Just a long shot but could you have lost one those lead balancing weights from one of your wheels?

It's possible, but with the vibration there is some noise too. It begins at about 50 to 55 mph, so more of a higher speed thing, anyone have any ideas.........

[Plymouthy Adams]

it was fine before you worked on it...don't fix nothing that works..all kidding aside..mentally go over what you did..how much sand/mud did the kids put in the hubcap?

[JIPJOBXX]

I would ask here what are the ways to tell if the vibration is comming from the front end or the rear. I know I have read different ideas of how to tell this but I just can't recall how that is done. Jon

[JIPJOBXX]

I had a vibration something like yours and it turned out to be the old u-joints. I didn't want to convert to the newer style so I took mine apart and the main pin that holes the whole unit together was just slidding from side to side. That pin is suppose to a pressed fit and only be out by a few thousants. So I was going to try to find a new truion but gave up and had a friend drill and tap two set screws on the yoke to hold that pin into the right position and it worked. Cost me fourty dollars but it was well worth the money spent.

[55 Fargo]

it was fine before you worked on it...don't fix nothing that works..all kidding aside..mentally go over what you did..how much sand/mud did the kids put in the hubcap?

Tim, there clean as a whistle as are the rims, even though I am on gravel road. My tires were a little out of whack, front right 27 psi, the rest 30 to 32, went back toa ll 34 psi. The tires are Good Year wrangler P series, but they are 13 years old, have some miles on them I put them on the rims about 2 1/2 years ago, they were balanced then.

So the tires may be suspect.

I just got back from going down my gravel road, which is super hard packed now, had her up to 60 mph, could not tell, the gravel road is too nosisy to begin with, will go down the highway tomorrow..Fred

[55 Fargo]

I had a vibration something like yours and it turned out to be the old u-joints. I didn't want to convert to the newer style so I took mine apart and the main pin that holes the whole unit together was just slidding from side to side. That pin is suppose to a pressed fit and only be out by a few thousants. So I was going to try to find a new truion but gave up and had a friend drill and tap two set screws on the yoke to hold that pin into the right position and it worked. Cost me fourty dollars but it was well worth the money spent.

Yes these U-joints are old, and have seen better days, they are the cross-yolk type, waiting for another set, hope to replace them soon......Fred

[55 Fargo]

JUst crawled under the car rear u-joints are sloppy, can move them around. pretty good, fronts aren't as bad, but both should be replaced soon.....Fred

[RobertKB]

JUst crawled under the car rear u-joints are sloppy, can move them around. pretty good, fronts aren't as bad, but both should be replaced soon.....Fred

Likely your problem, especially if the back one is bad. It takes the most abuse.

[55 Fargo]

Likely your problem, especially if the back one is bad. It takes the most abuse.

Thanx Rob, they have been giving the occasional creak and ckunk, or the bell sound.

The back joint is sloppy, I think they should be able to move up down, side to side, but not sloppy in there yolk or within themselves as mine are doing.....Thanx Fred

[JIPJOBXX]

You should check out that universal and see if that pin is slidding. Or just take the saft down and flip it end for end. Like the front one doesn't get near the problems as the rear. It sure made a difference in my old car when I had that machinest drill and tap those set screws in place.

[55 Fargo]

You should check out that universal and see if that pin is slidding. Or just take the saft down and flip it end for end. Like the front one doesn't get near the problems as the rear. It sure made a difference in my old car when I had that machinest drill and tap those set screws in place.

Don't forget, I have modern style cross yolk u-joints, as my car is a Chrysler, they did not have ball and trunnion for 46 to 48 Chryslers. These are easy to pull and replace, should have 2 years ago, when I swapped the pumpkin in from a parts car......

[RobertKB]

Don't forget, I have modern style cross yolk u-joints, as my car is a Chrysler, they did not have ball and trunnion for 46 to 48 Chryslers. These are easy to pull and replace, should have 2 years ago, when I swapped the pumpkin in from a parts car......

Canadian cars from '46 to '48 all seem to have the modern style u-joint. My '48 Dodge D25 is like that and my parts car D25 has the same. Must be a Canadian thing. Unfortunately they went back to the ball and trunnion after that. Yes, my car sees gravel from time to time. Parts car also has the gravel guards for the shocks as well.

[55 Fargo]

Canadian cars from '46 to '48 all seem to have the modern style u-joint. My '48 Dodge D25 is like that and my parts car D25 has the same. Must be a Canadian thing. Unfortunately they went back to the ball and trunnion after that. Yes, my car sees gravel from time to time. Parts car also has the gravel guards for the shocks as well.

Rob, are these u-joints available from parts stores like NAPA. I cannot find a modern llisting for them anywhere...........Fred

[RobertKB]

Rob, are these u-joints available from parts stores like NAPA. I cannot find a modern llisting for them anywhere...........Fred

I am not sure, Fred. I have never looked for one as the ones in my car have never given me grief in over 30 years. I keep them well greased all the time. I would think there must be somewhere you can get these. Try Collector Auto Supply out of the Penticton area. http://www.collectorsautosupply.com/

Rovon Auto Parts out of Coquitlam may well have them also and he really knows his Mopar stuff as that is all he deals in and is reasonably priced as well. I know I have put his contact info in a post before so maybe do a search. If no luck, contact me.

I did the search and it works well.

Rovon Auto Parts

640 - Porter Street

Coquitlam, BC V3J 5A7

Canada

Phone (604)936-9312

Fax (604)936-4997

Edited April 2, 2010 by RobertKB
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[55 Fargo]

I am not sure, Fred. I have never looked for one as the one in my car has never given me grief in over 30 years. I keep her well greased all the time. I would think there must be somewhere you can get these. Try Collector Auto Supply out of the Penticton area. http://www.collectorsautosupply.com/

Rovon Auto Parts out of Coquitlam may well have them also and he really knows his Mopar stuff as that is all he deals in and is reasonably priced as well. I know I have put his contact info in a post before so maybe do a search. If no luck, contact me.

I did the search and boy that works well.

Rovon Auto Parts

640 - Porter Street

Coquitlam, BC V3J 5A7

Canada

Phone (604)936-9312

Fax (604)936-4997

Hi Rob, collector auto supply, wants a $180 each for there u-joints, that is pricey. Roberts, lists them at $90 each. I will try the other you mentioned on Monday.

My NOS parts Freined thinks he has a pair, but has not got back to me yet.

Just went for a ride, makes the vibration noise at about 50 mph and over, the rear u-joint is getting clunky on take offs more than before, so time to get them replaced.........Fred

[55 Fargo]

Another good point was brought to my attention from Aero3113, he suggested I check my diff oil level.

Now mine leaks a bit, I thought I checked it last fall, but think I did the fall before, when I replaced the lube in there.

Well I was down a pint or so of lube in the diff, not too bright on my part. I have a new gasket, and need to get a new pinion seal, and get it changed.

Thanx to Aero, I avoided disaster.............Fred

[aero3113]

.

[55 Fargo]

Went fora ride very early this morning, got back as it started to rain, wipers work good.

The vibration does not seem to be there, not sure if adding more lube to the diff helped or not.

I do need to change the u-joints, will have diff looked at bya localm transmission specialist.

Luv this sport, nuttin but money, just not makin any, just spendin it..............LOL