I have a fault I am unable to locate at my own, so here's asking the experts!

My 2006 Panda 4x4 MJT (~129000 km) has started vibrating that seem to come from the rear at speeds ~20 km/h - ~45 km/h. At some speed, 15-20 km/h it clearly starts vibrating and above 50 I can't feel anything out of the ordinary. The vibration is rather strong (nothing you would miss) and maybe a couple of Hz, say ~5 Hz.

Tyres are new with good pressure, recently replaced the shock absorbers. I had it on my schedule to replace the oil in the rear differential but nothing else that I know of that could be an issue. Any ideas? Suggestions where to look?

Disconnect the prop shaft an try in two wheel dive.


https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/422017-58-plate-4-x-4-joint-worn-out-prop-shaft-3.html?p=4053242

Thanks for the tip and link koalar! I think this is on the right track as I had it narrowed down to prop shaft or rear diff in the back of my head before too.

After all the vibration is not dependent on engine RPM or throttle, just speed.

I'll see if I can get the propshaft removed this week. If this is indeed the culpit I'll start looking for a replacement/solution then. I never had to replace a propshaft before but did replace the center bearing on my last Panda.

As a side note: A bonus for being worried about the cars health, I'm much lighter on the throttle driving it. Drove Gothenburg - Stockholm today (~500 km) and did so without fuelling up. 512 km since last fuel up and the meter isn't even half-way on the red!

Might be a that the wheels aren't balanced correctly when you've had the new tyres fitted or that it's possibly thrown a balance weight or they haven't even balanced them!

Blue58 said:

Might be a that the wheels aren't balanced correctly when you've had the new tyres fitted or that it's possibly thrown a balance weight or they haven't even balanced them!

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This.

Swap wheels front to rear and see if the vibration moves to the front.

Blue58 said:

Might be a that the wheels aren't balanced correctly when you've had the new tyres fitted or that it's possibly thrown a balance weight or they haven't even balanced them!

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I thought about it but wouldn't wheel vibrations continue at higher speeds as well? This is quite pernounced at which speed it starts but also to a lesser extent where it ends.

When I get the time I have a garage where I can lift the car so the swap is so simple to do - I'll try it first anyway!

usually wheel imbalance will occur at any speed but if you can drive through it and it goes away it's usually down to balance,if it wasn't there before you had tyres fitted it's another sign that's where your problem is. Depends on how many grams it's out by as to what speed it will vibrate at and usually the faster it's rotating it eventually evens itself out!

Tyres are always worth checking as it free and easy.


Tyres nowadays are pretty well balanced. I have seen a budget tyre company that only balance the font wheels :bang:


I wouldn't expect any noticeable vibration from a tyre at 12 mph.


https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/352032-propshaft-vibration.html




If you do any work on the propshaft mark each joint so it goes back the same way. I use to put a centre punch mark on each flange. But you could just use paint.

koalar said:

If you do any work on the propshaft mark each joint so it goes back the same way. I use to put a centre punch mark on each flange. But you could just use paint.

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I've heard it before so know this, but it's a good and important tip. Thanks!