FrozenNorthLGT Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Over the last few months, maybe longer and I just started to notice, my car has developed an odd vibration. If I'm cruising at 65mph, I have a slight vibration. (by slight I mean if I watch my hand at the top of the wheel I can see my knuckles move +/- 1/2") I've had cars with serious vibration problems, and this seems minor, but not "right." The odd part is though, it only lasts for almost exactally 45 seconds. After that it goes away. And by away, I mean no vibration what-so-ever. ZERO!...lol. Then 30-40 seconds later, it begins again. It comes and goes smooth, and slow, not just on/off like a switch. Its not really speed dependant because I can still notice it moving slower till under 50mph, then its gone. at 65mph+ the vibraiotn is worse, but still comes and goes predictibly and completely. Anybody have a good explination for this? I knwo my rear LCA bushings are in need of replacement (though they are "within Subaru spec"...lol ). I also know my struts are getting worn, but arent that bad yet. (I have a full spec b billstein converstion planned for spring) I just can't see either of these explaining the on/off nature of this vibration. My tires are also suffering, allthough very slightly, from outer edge wear, but when I rotated the rears (much less wear) to the front, it didnt change the vibration at all. Anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bolksey85 Posted August 22, 2009 Share Posted August 22, 2009 Does it happen on any road or only on the same stretch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenNorthLGT Posted August 23, 2009 Author Share Posted August 23, 2009 On any road. If its smooth enough for me to notice it, that is. It doesnt matter where I am or what road I'm on. The only thing that changes it is it's harder to notice at speeds lower than 50mph. It simply comes and goes at 30-40 second intervals. Like clockwork. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elpete77 Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 sounds like some weird harmonic thing, like a drive shaft out of balance. i haven't really checked, but do we even have u-joints on the shaft back to the rear diff. maybe see if that's loose/any play at all??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwiener2 Posted August 23, 2009 Share Posted August 23, 2009 AC compressor turning on and off My Mods List (Updated 8/22/17) 2005 Outback FMT Running on Electrons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenNorthLGT Posted August 25, 2009 Author Share Posted August 25, 2009 AC compressor turning on and off Far be it from me to doubt....but seriously?....I mean the timing sounds like it makes sense, but the vibration? Why would the steering wheel shake when the compressor turns on and off? Plus, it comes and goes gradually...not "click" vibraton, "click" no vibration...Has anyone else expirienced this in relation to the A/C pump? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
05pearl Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 ^^ easy way to find out. when it's happening, turn off the ac Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwiener2 Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 It's just a guess... all you get from the forums My Mods List (Updated 8/22/17) 2005 Outback FMT Running on Electrons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elpete77 Posted August 25, 2009 Share Posted August 25, 2009 we'll give you real advice for some money i still vote for something in the driveline. did that get ruled out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenNorthLGT Posted August 25, 2009 Author Share Posted August 25, 2009 Nothing is ruled out yet. I only get about 4 hours a week with nothing to do to work on my car so I want to gather as many ideas as I can ahead of time. Plus, 6 days a week my commute consists of 5 miles round trip city driving at < 40 mph, and I can't feel a thing. It only manifests at higher speeds when I get out of town once, maybe twice, a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenNorthLGT Posted August 26, 2009 Author Share Posted August 26, 2009 Not associated with A/C pump. Verified that today while out of town on buisness. Was at speeds from 55-80mph, and it was the same on...fade...off....fade...on pattern the whole time. I turned the A/C on while it was not happening, and off while it was, and no change what-so-ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camflan Posted September 30, 2009 Share Posted September 30, 2009 Any luck tracking this vibration down? I have a different vibration issue myself that is greatly annoying...but it's similar to yours...just doesn't come and go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreu Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM!!!! i thought i was losing my mind and just would forget about it. Every morning i merge onto the highway i get about 1 min of this vibration in the wheel , at first i thought it was a weight that fell off, but the vibration goes away!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-lo Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 warped rotors is my guess. 258k miles - Stock engine/minor suspension upgrades/original shocks/rear struts replaced at 222k/4 passenger side wheel bearings/3 clutches/1 radiator/3 turbos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeislord Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 warped rotors is my guess. Warped rotors would cause uneven tire wear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwiener2 Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Andreu - What tires do you have... could be flat spotting My Mods List (Updated 8/22/17) 2005 Outback FMT Running on Electrons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-lo Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Warped rotors would cause uneven tire wear? hang on, let me look................nope, I didn't say anything about tire wear. I said the vibrations may now becoming from his rotors, especially considering he's had the rotor problem in the past. perhaps he's got two issues here no? 258k miles - Stock engine/minor suspension upgrades/original shocks/rear struts replaced at 222k/4 passenger side wheel bearings/3 clutches/1 radiator/3 turbos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
praedet Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Warped rotors (which doesn't happen on this car) causing problems while not braking (which also can't happen unless your rotors are like .25" out of spec)... Hmmm, that is a new possiblity for Subaru Service Providers to tell customers. I like it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeislord Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 hang on, let me look................nope, I didn't say anything about tire wear. I said the vibrations may now becoming from his rotors, especially considering he's had the rotor problem in the past. perhaps he's got two issues here no? One of his symptoms is uneven tire wear. That's why I asked that question. Appreciate the sarcastic response, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeislord Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Either way, I'm heading to a buddy's house tonight to diagnose a similar problem I'm having. If I find anything concrete, I will post it in this thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-lo Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 One of his symptoms is uneven tire wear. That's why I asked that question. Appreciate the sarcastic response, though. hey no problem. i suggested warped rotors based on a similiar problem I had. considering how many times the car was in for balance issues I thought it could've been two problems. 258k miles - Stock engine/minor suspension upgrades/original shocks/rear struts replaced at 222k/4 passenger side wheel bearings/3 clutches/1 radiator/3 turbos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andreu Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Andreu - What tires do you have... could be flat spotting Kumoh extas asx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
05lgt5spd Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 did your girlfriend leave her vibrator under your seat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrozenNorthLGT Posted October 2, 2009 Author Share Posted October 2, 2009 Well the other day I had to pull the drivers side front wheel, caliper, bracket, and rotor to grease the backing plate cause the shim is rusty and falling apart (long story about tracking THAT noise down...lol). Whatever that did, when I got it all back together, the "come and go" of the vibration was gone. There is still a slight vibration in the background at highway speed (suspect my worn control arm bushings). But it doesnt change, other than slightly with less or more speed. I suspect my wheel may not have been seated quite properly, even though I check lug nuts once a week or so, because there was a significant buildup of corrosion from taking the factory wheels off earlier this year. Doesnt really explain the off/on nature, but such is the way with suspension vibrations... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeislord Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Well the other day I had to pull the drivers side front wheel, caliper, bracket, and rotor to grease the backing plate cause the shim is rusty and falling apart (long story about tracking THAT noise down...lol). Whatever that did, when I got it all back together, the "come and go" of the vibration was gone. There is still a slight vibration in the background at highway speed (suspect my worn control arm bushings). But it doesnt change, other than slightly with less or more speed. I suspect my wheel may not have been seated quite properly, even though I check lug nuts once a week or so, because there was a significant buildup of corrosion from taking the factory wheels off earlier this year. Doesnt really explain the off/on nature, but such is the way with suspension vibrations... Great idea. Wish I had tried this last night. We thought that the front right caliper was locking up and that was cause for the vibration. So after pulling it off, loosening up the pistons and reseating it, the vibration came back after a bit. I will try this as soon as I can and see if it fixes my issue as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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