Shakin' all over...

Hi - I'm after some help with some transmission related diagnostics on my 300Tdi 90.

Driving up thru the gears, I get to just under 40 and get a bit of a shake. Like an unbalanced wheel, but seems to be both a bit on the steering and also towards the back. It continues thru up to 50 and a little beyond. Seems worse when I'm accelerating, and disappears if I pop it out of gear and coast at that speed.

Same effect in 4th and 5th (can't really get to the speed in 3rd to find out). I've put the hi/lo into neutral and taken it through all the gears and the revs and no shakes there.

So currently it seems proportional to road speed, but only when there's drive to the wheels. Any suggestions for what to check/tests to do?

Cheers, Matt

Could be all manner of things from wheels out of balance to the propshafts out of balance. When did you last grease the UJs on the propshaft if it was never do it and have another test. Try removing the prop shafts (one at a time) and driving with difflock on to see if it's them. Then it's a matter of ruling out play in the steering gubbins, track rod ends etc. working your way outwards to the wheels and wheel bearings. Someone on here claimed he cured a similar vibration by rotating the front suspension springs!

Good advice from Grunt. Could also be worn bearings front and rear of transfer box. Also when propshaft is off check for wear and jamming in splined shaft. bb

needle bearings disintegrated in front prop... and not a lot of sign of any grease there either...

Thanks all.

Glad to help. Are you replacing the bearings or the prop?

Matty said:

needle bearings disintegrated in front prop... and not a lot of sign of any grease there either...

Thanks all.

Click to expand...

Even LR have admitted that the front prop should be greased more often than the 12k mile services they recommend. It gets a harder time than the back one. You are lucky it didn't disintegrate, that can ruin your whole day

I hope you cure it Matty! I've been having similar problems with my 90 and found my front prop had a knackered UJ but replacing the shaft (I broke the yoke replacing- doh!) has only reduced the shaking but not stopped it. My local independant landy garage suggested I have a very close look at the front swivel bearings as only a tiny amount of play can create quite a wobble. Not checked it out yet but I share your frustrations, especially in those goddamned 50mph speed limit zones!