Odd Vibration - Mechanics, Tranny specialists, etc. can't find issue

[AgaBoogaBoo]

There is a vibration in my car from the front right that happens only when I'm giving gas AND in gear with the clutch released. I've had a couple mechanics check this out as well as a transmission specialist incase that was it. Neither of those could find the issue and let me out free except labor from the transmission specialist.

The wheels have been balanced, rotated, and aligned so that's not the issue at all. We even ended up taking it to the dealership and were told it's the transmission because of a certain part that is whipping around causing it, the transmission specialist denies this and I'm much more likely to trust him on that than the dealership.

I've had this issue for a long time, maybe a year. It's been a long time so I don't remember very well, but I believe that this issue developed after we got a new set of tires for the car. They have been rotated and balanced and the issue has always been from the same area so it's not the tire directly. What I'm wondering is if the added grip and traction put more wear and strain on any components, like the transmission, when I was driving hard on it.

Another theory I have is that because I have the stock suspension which is spongy and has lots of body roll, when I floor it, the front end goes up a decent amount. When this happens, it causes a vibration. On the highway, putting the throttle at different amounts confirmed this. However, this is disproved when I also realize that at lower speeds the vibration doesn't happen. Maybe 40mph or lower? If it happens, then I'm not noticing it.

I'd appreciate any advice on this, it's an issue I'd really love to fix, I've forgotten what my car rides like when it doesn't his this vibration :P

By the way, it's not the motor mounts, I've revved it in neutral at a stand still and even while moving, doesn't cause any vibration. It occurs when I am in gear and giving gas, it'll ride along smoothly in gear even when I'm not giving gas.

[souldoubt]

where do you fell the vibration most? in the steering wheel or the body of the car? where does it seem like it's comming from? any curb hits or wrecks in the past? how about the pads and rotors? are the rotors warped?

the best adivce i could give is, get rid of all outside noises, radio, roll up windows, get in a good seated posture, not you daily driving posture. sit properly and feel the car as you drive, listen to it, pay attention to what its telling you. know where everything mechanichal is located i relation to where you are. 9/10 of the time the car will tell you whats going on, all you have to do is pay attention.

get a good idea of where it's comming form, and focus your attention to that area. once you feel where it's comming from, check it out.

i know it sounds nuts, but i do it alot it helps me rule alot of things out.

[NAiL05]

Have you checked your motor mounts lately?

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Ok, let's take those questions one at a time:

where do you fell the vibration most?
Front right of the car for sure, a passenger feels it a lot and I feel it a little less.

in the steering wheel or the body of the car?
Body of the car for sure.

where does it seem like it's comming from?
I'm not sure entirely, it's either something affected by the front end lifting up under acceleration at higher speeds or related to the power train.

any curb hits or wrecks in the past?
Yes, once I was driving in snow and ice in a parking lot and sliding around, the front right wheel hit against a curb and took lots of impact however it was at a low speed, under 10mph maybe? Still a lot of impact to take, it threw off the alignment and so after having that done there were no issues.

how about the pads and rotors? are the rotors warped?
I have a new set of rotors/pads that I'm putting on in the next 2-3 days, the rotors are warped a little however nothing where I'm getting a lot of pulsating or vibrating under breaking. I've had this issue for almost a year and my brakes were perfectly fine in the past so I don't think it's related to rotors/pads however they will be changed in the next few days anyway.

get a good idea of where it's comming form, and focus your attention to that area. once you feel where it's comming from, check it out.
My gut feeling is that it's in the powertrain somewhere but can't figure out how to isolate the problem.

Have you checked your motor mounts lately?
How can I check those? This issue would happen while in neutral moving or not as well if that was the case, correct?

[xfactortype1]

have you looked at your axles? maybe cv joints are damaged. im no expert, but my opinion places it in the suspension area. maybe a blown shock, worn springs, tie rod end, bent lower control arm, bad ball joints, or even bad wheel bearings? does it happen when you turn the wheel in any direction? do your tires wear unevenly? do you think your brake calipers are sticking? do you have ABS, and mabe the motor is bad/ loose? if its manual, maybe bad throw-out bearing? just throwing some ideas to get you thinking?

btw what year and model and auto/ manual tranny, and any mods done?


regards
x

[AgaBoogaBoo]

It happens when driving in a straight line, turns are usually made at lower speeds and so I haven't felt the vibration there however this is something that doesn't go away for any reason.

My brake calipers aren't sticking and I don't have ABS. What is a throw-out bearing? That could be it.

It's a 91 Accord LX with 5 speed tranny and no real mods. I've got a few minor things like an SRI, S2000 antenna, alpine HU, etc. but that's about all right now. I personally have not checked all those things you mentioned earlier in that post, would like to think that my mechanics have though.

[aero]

I thought you said above the axle was replaced... if so, what kind did you use. If you can, exchange it for a new one. Vibration on acceleration is usually because of an axle.

[souldoubt]

you might even check the control arm bushings, upper ans lower. have someone watch the wheels to see if they move back and forth under acceleration. thats a good sign you bushings are bad. when you accelerate the wheel will move twards the wheel well, and as u shift it'll move forward back tward the center of the wheel well.

[xfactortype1]

i still think its you axles, or worn coil springs. as aero and the haynes manual says under troubleshooting..
shudder or vibration during acceleration..for driveaxles
1)-excessive toe-in camber
2)-incorrect spring height
3)-worn or damaged inboard or outboard cv joints (maybe hitting the curb bent the axles enough to cause the shudder)
4)- sticking inboard cv joint assembly

for shimmy, shake, or vibration in suspension
1)-tire or wheel out of round/ balance
2)- loose or worn front hub or wheel bearing
3)-worn tie rod ends
4)-worn lower ball joints
5)- excessive wheel runout
6)- blister or bump on tire

for vibration in manual tranny vibration
1)-rough wheel bearing
2)-damaged wheel axle
3)-out of round tires
4)-tire out of balance
5)-worn cv joint

only other thing is mabe its not your suspension or tranny, but maybe intkae leak, fuel, or even ignition related..maybe your car just needs a tune-up

like clogged fuel filter? or worn plugs and wires cap and rotor and coil ..dunno hope it helps
good luck x

[AgaBoogaBoo]

aero - it's not under acceleration specifically. No real vibration under acceleration under like 40mph, above that then yes however the vibration comes even when maintaining a speed with any little amount of gas.

To everyone else - thanks for the replies, I need to go through checking everything you guys mentioned.

[xfactortype1]

still check your axles

[aero]

well since you say it doesnt only do it when you are accelerating... you probably have the same issue as me and a few other people. Heres my 4page thread on trying to get rid of it.

http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthre...t=48217&page=4

I guess I can feel it under 50mph, but not much at all. 50-60 or 55-65 it will shimmy like a biatch. I am hoping to get an alignment saturday morning, and hoping it will solve it.

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Sorry for the bump, but the issue was in the half shaft on the right I believe. Anyway, to get to it they needed to open up the transmission I believe and so we just had them go ahead and rebuild it. I'll have the car back next week and will post with results then.