Technical Vibration under acceleration in 5th/6th gear

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Technical Vibration under acceleration in 5th/6th gear

wizk1

Bravo T-Jet 150
Joined
Apr 1, 2009
Messages
89
Points
15
Location
Manchester
Hello. I'm after a bit of advice regarding some recent issues I've had with my '07 Bravo T-Jet 150. It has 86k miles on the clock.

On a long motorway journey about a 3 weeks ago, I started experiencing a droning noise throughout the car and vibration that felt like it was coming through the steering wheel. I had my cruise control set to 70mph and the noise/vibration gradually got louder and louder. The noise was relieved by dipping the clutch (knocking off the CC), but it started gradually increasing in volume about 30 seconds later after setting the CC again. If I put my foot on the accelerator, the vibration gets more severe.

The noise can be best described as driving on (for those of you who know it) the stretch of Motorway on the M1 just north of the M62 where the road surface must be made of concrete or something.

This week, I had the bearings replaced in the gearbox presuming this was the issue since I have the notorious M32 box. This has addressed a few other gremlins relating to noises, but this has not sorted the above issue.

I've searched through the forum for symptoms that match my experience but the only match is here, but there are no answers. Fingers are pointing at the DMF and I really hope it isn't that. I don't want to end up throwing good money after bad.

I would appreciate any advice or suggestions :)
 
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I had a similar issue which turned out to be the driveshafts (known to fail on these cars). The vibration was only when accelerating in any gear after about 40 Mph. I also had knocking noises when changing gear and turning the wheel full lock.

You describe some symptoms that I didn't have, but it's worth getting the driveshafts checked anyway, as they're usually the culprit when it comes to "vibration under acceleration" issues.
 
I had a similar issue which turned out to be the driveshafts (known to fail on these cars). The vibration was only when accelerating in any gear after about 40 Mph. I also had knocking noises when changing gear and turning the wheel full lock.

You describe some symptoms that I didn't have, but it's worth getting the driveshafts checked anyway, as they're usually the culprit when it comes to "vibration under acceleration" issues.

Cheers for that. I didn't suspect the drive shaft and I bet it'll be a damn sight cheaper than the DMF to replace if that is the culprit :D. I'll get it checked out this week and let you know the outcome.

Just out of interest, does it tend to be the near or off-side that goes kaput?
 
Hi I,ve only just read your thread and the problem you describe I have also experienced. I had my drive shaft replaced and that cured the vibration also on 150 t-jet. I was informed that its knuckle/tripod joint that wears and so there is play in it causing the vibration.
 
Thanks, everyone for the advice. I've got my car booked into my local garage tomorrow morning, and I've briefed them on the issue and the possible cause. Just want to have this confirmed as the definitive reason.

If this is the cause, next step is to try and source the parts.
 
Ok, so the garage has identified quite a lot of play in the off-side (UK) driveshaft. Unfortunately, the garage can't seem to be able to source a replacement unit. I've also tried to find the unit on the likes of eBay and other online parts suppliers but to no avail.

Does anyone know of anywhere that has this in stock? :(
 
It was the off side drive shaft on my bravo also. My local garage sourced it from one of their suppliers. my mechanic changed both parts as there is a inner shaft and outer ( £230 + £248 plus sundries, labour & vat ). I will call and see him tomorrow night and ask where the parts came from and will let you know as I think he had a bit of trouble finding them himself. You can apparently get them refurbished but he advised that from a reliability point of view new would be the best option. Thanks for the info on the exhaust I might consider goin' down the stainless route myself.
 
It was the off side drive shaft on my bravo also. My local garage sourced it from one of their suppliers. my mechanic changed both parts as there is a inner shaft and outer ( £230 + £248 plus sundries, labour & vat ). I will call and see him tomorrow night and ask where the parts came from and will let you know as I think he had a bit of trouble finding them himself. You can apparently get them refurbished but he advised that from a reliability point of view new would be the best option. Thanks for the info on the exhaust I might consider goin' down the stainless route myself.

Cheers for that, man. I can't believe how rare these parts are. My local garage is reluctant to take the shaft apart to determine precisely what the root cause is, so I was tempted to go down the refurbishment route. I found a place that will take my existing unit and recondition it in around 2-3 days and quoted £135 including shipping to and from. (Driveshaft UK)

Realistically, I think I'm only going to be keeping the car for another 1-2 years once I get this sorted (If I'm lucky) since it's becoming rather troublesome. This wouldn't normally be an issue, but considering how scarce replacement parts are, I don't have the temperament to deal with this sort of wild goose chase on a regular basis.
 
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My mechanic thinks he sourced it through Arnold clark fiat, although not entirely sure. He will look through his past invoices but it was nearly 2 years ago! I'm thinking of a change as I'm much of the same opinion as you in respect of getting hold of spares. I will be in touch if/when I find out any supplier info.
 
https://www.shop4parts.co.uk/?name=store&op=Details&ProdID=20541&sku=266016



Is that the right one? If not, give them a ring, they might be able to get the other one.

I saw that one and I distinctly remember closing my browser tab immediately after seeing the price :D. Thanks anyway.

I still think I'm going down the recon path. I'll be carless for a few days, but at £161 (inc VAT) it's probably going to be the most cost-effective way of dealing with it properly.
 
I refurbished driveshaft cups on my Bravo, and if it is proprerly done, it could last at least as factory ones. I made 50 000km after refurbish, still like new. Ok, im my country, parts are easy to find, and rather cheap.
I paid refurbishing both cups with new tripods 200 euro, replaced them on car by myself
 
I saw that one and I distinctly remember closing my browser tab immediately after seeing the price :D. Thanks anyway.

I still think I'm going down the recon path. I'll be carless for a few days, but at £161 (inc VAT) it's probably going to be the most cost-effective way of dealing with it properly.


That's what a new one costs. S4Ps tend to be considerably cheaper than the dealer, but who knows.

But yes, refurbishment is probably the cheapest way of doing it
 
That's what a new one costs. S4Ps tend to be considerably cheaper than the dealer, but who knows.

But yes, refurbishment is probably the cheapest way of doing it
If you can point me at where I can buy a new, full shaft for that price, I will worship you as a god ;)
 
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If you you can point me at where I can buy a new, full shaft for that price, I will worship you as a god ;)


I think you missunderstood me; I new OEM one costs £350 from S4P, which is likely less than it would cost from a dealer (please correct me if I'm wrong).

I then agreed that having one refurbished is probably the cheapest way to do it.

Don't get me wrong, I think it sucks - if I'd been aware of how much of a ballache they'd be to source, I probably wouldn't have bought my car. As it is, mine seem OK atm, maybe some vibration at 80+ mph, but that could easily be something else.
 
I refurbished driveshaft cups on my Bravo, and if it is proprerly done, it could last at least as factory ones. I made 50 000km after refurbish, still like new. Ok, im my country, parts are easy to find, and rather cheap.
I paid refurbishing both cups with new tripods 200 euro, replaced them on car by myself

Thanks, that's really good to know. 50,000km is probably more than enough based on how long I plan on keeping it.

Mechanically, I'm useless so I will be leaving it in the in hands of my local mechanic :D
 
I think you missunderstood me; I new OEM one costs £350 from S4P, which is likely less than it would cost from a dealer (please correct me if I'm wrong).

Ah yes, I misunderstood, sorry. That's what happens when you're reading the thread on a phone screen while multi-tasking :D.

Don't get me wrong, I think it sucks - if I'd been aware of how much of a ballache they'd be to source, I probably wouldn't have bought my car. As it is, mine seem OK atm, maybe some vibration at 80+ mph, but that could easily be something else.

Agreed. Given my commute is short enough so it only briefly induces the vibration at "70" ;), I would probably just live with it. But as I occasionally drive to the other end of the country and experience the same problem but turned up to 11, I reckon this needs sorting sooner rather than later. I don't fancy standing at the roadside on the M1 with bits of drivechain scattered across the motorway. :)
 
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When driveshafts are worn out (cups and/or tripods) you get that specific vibrations from the front of the car, no mather what gear, ONLY during acceleration.
It seems like whole car is shaking at the front
Just drove friend t-jet, 205 000km on the clock, it has that specific shaking when accelerating, he tought that something is wrong with engine (sparks, ign. coils, injectors)
 
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