strange noise and vibration

[whits]

whilst laning a few weeks go i had a odd thing happen, whilst driving about 30mph ish a odd noise like a tyre rubbing on body work but it isnt, also a vibration through the steering wheel, only happened for about half a second then stopped then 2 mins later same again, and 15 mins etc etc, so i stopped jacked it up but couldnt find anything other than a very small amount of play in o/s/f baring.
drove home fairly steady and it didnt happen, but today it came back same as before but i could fee it through the floor aswell, only did it twice about half a second each time and about 10 mins apart, have adjusted both barings and checked swivels etc but cant find anything wrong.
has anyone else had this and what did you do to cure it.
cheers in advance
mark

[Lewis.J.P_1987]

A vibration feeling at around 30mph could be front propshaft UJ'S or balancing.

[whits]

checked front prop this aft and thats fine too, could it be power steering pump??????????????

[mattyme]

sounds to me like it could be the wheel balanciung too.... get em balanced and see how you go. its a cheap fix and worth a try!! hope that helps!

[howlinmadmartin]

wheel balance sounds like a suspect to me it can cause a hell of a racket and some monster vibrations if you have some meaty off road tyres on it.

[lambert]

having been in it i would say it is not wheel balance as it in not constant, in fact it was absent for the 30 miles is was in it.

[whits]

i don't think its wheel balance as it has a little constant wobble due to that anyway
thanks for the idea
mark

[Disco Matt]

Mine produces a "brummm-brummm-brummm" noise and vibration at about 60-70mph with the power on (eg while climbing hills). I think it's quite likely to be the propshaft UJs as I don't remember it before I had new standard height springs fitted. Am I looking in the right place? I've checked wheel bearings and the problem disappears if I take my foot off.

Just checking before I buy, rebuild and fit a couple of spare props!  :lol:

[Lewis.J.P_1987]

At that speed its definitely the rear prop.

[Disco Matt]

Thanks for that - looks like I'm buying a 2nd hand prop and putting a new UJ on it then!

Something of a relief as I can get a rear prop for £21, front ones seem to be a lot more. Plus there's only one UJ to deal with.

[Lewis.J.P_1987]

Just dont leave it to long, this happened to me when going down the highway.

[Disco Matt]

Ouch!

Don't worry, I plan to do this ASAP. I've already ordered the propshaft (ebay) and will be ordering new UJ/donut/bolts shortly. Just a bit worried about getting the 13 year old bolts to undo as I'm not crawling under a car with a grinder. I like having all my body parts attached thanks!  :lol:

[Lewis.J.P_1987]

Seized nuts... Nothing a little lubrication wont sort out  ;)

[les baty]

Just dont leave it to long, this happened to me when going down the highway.

good one, was it too much grease and it just slid off, ha ha, i have seen worse than this tho, the prop had snapped off and smashed a big hole in the gear box

[stretchy]

in my own experience I have found vibrations and noises to be the folowing, front prop ujs, exhaust vibrating on body panels, handbreak shoes not relesing properly and grinding ratling on the drum, watter or mud inside the tyres (balancing) I think you will all agree the front rear uj is the most comon to fail. just keep an eye on these espeshily if you have a lift kit as it has to work at more of an angle so will be under more stress than normal.

stretchy

[Disco Matt]

I think it depends on when you get the noise. For example, mine seems to be at a very specific speed and throttle position (booting it up hills at 60-70mph) and it came in after I had new springs fitted (equating to a half inch lift compared to where it had sagged to). At other speeds and throttle settings it's fine, although I won't be taking it on anything longer than round town stuff until I get the new prop sorted out.

Regarding 300 TDI front props, what fits what? I've seen them listed for V8s, 200 TDI, all sorts - what's the difference? Are the 200 and 300 TDI front props the same part?

[whits]

strange thing with the noise and vibration i had was it sounded and felt like wheel catching on arch etc.
however it only lasted about 1/2 second and i cant make it do it again so its hard to say what it is,

[Disco Matt]

My Dad's Saab is doing a very similar thing at the moment - I suspect a dodgy suspension bush, but the clonk/rattle disappears if you have two people in the car (making it impossible to demonstrate the fault to someone who doesn't know what they're listening for!)  :lol:

I'm beginning to wonder if mine might be the rubber donut - 13 year old rubber is surely a more likely candidate to fail than regularly lubricated steel? I have bought a spare prop and GKN UJ for about £35 all in so I'll be refurbishing myself a spare either way.