Vibration from drive train.

[2jackmans]

When driving I feel a vibration in the steering column and in the car body. When I come to a stop with my foot on the break and the transmission in gear I feel the vibration. When the car is in neutral at a full stop with the engine running the vibration goes away.
Here is what I've had checked and ruled out:
1. Tires alignment and balancing okay.
2. Transmission was bad and had it replaced, including the rubber vibration damper.
3. Universal joints were worn and had the driveshaft with "U" joints replaced.
4. Flywheel replaced.
5. Motor mounts and strut replaced.
6. CV axles checked okay.
7. 6 cylinder engine runs smooth and well.
The vehicle has 100K miles on the odometer and is still vibrating. WHAT CAN IT BE?

 

[Dick Foster]

Well since it continues while stopped, that automatically rules out lots of things that arent moving, axles, wheels, drive line components like axles and drive shafts.

 

[bmart]

When was the last service? Plugs, wires, etc? When not under any load (neutral) they may perform better than when under any load.

 

[Mike the mechanic]

When driving I feel a vibration in the steering column and in the car body. When I come to a stop with my foot on the break and the transmission in gear I feel the vibration. When the car is in neutral at a full stop with the engine running the vibration goes away.
Here is what I've had checked and ruled out:
1. Tires alignment and balancing okay.
2. Transmission was bad and had it replaced, including the rubber vibration damper.
3. Universal joints were worn and had the driveshaft with "U" joints replaced.
4. Flywheel replaced.
5. Motor mounts and strut replaced.
6. CV axles checked okay.
7. 6 cylinder engine runs smooth and well.
The vehicle has 100K miles on the odometer and is still vibrating. WHAT CAN IT BE?

Motor mounts or transmission mounts

 

[Mike the mechanic]

From Mike the mechanic check motor + trans mounts

 

[2jackmans]

As stated, motor and transmission mounts have been replaced. Engine checked for tune-up and plugs replaced; additive to fuel to clean injectors, etc., runs smooth with no excessive use of oil; gas milage remains within specs. Overall, I feel it runs well; if I could just get rid of the vibration which keeps me worried about taking a long trip. Any other possibilities??

 

[bmart]

 

[Grumpy1950]

The fact that the vibration is not present only when the car is in neutral may be the key here. While the car is in gear the vibration is present even if the car is standing still. The replacement transmission may be the culprit. You don't specify if the replacement was used, new or remanufactured/rebuilt. It seems as if the vibration is somehow related to the fact that engine power flowing through all the way the transmission to the output shaft, even if the car is not moving, is causing the vibration. If the transmission is in neutral, that flow of power is interrupted, hence no vibration. This is most likely if the replacement is a used unit rather than a new or rebuilt/remanufactured one. While a defect is still possible with new or remanufactured/rebuilt it is not as likely. Was the torque converter changed as well, or was the original one reused. There may be a problem in this area as well if the lockup isn't working correctly. Last possibility could be a bad lockup solenoid in the transmission.

 

[2jackmans]

The x-mission is used having 50K miles on it from Japan; not a rebuild. The torque converter is new. Is the lockup solenoid easily accessible?

 

[Grumpy1950]

The lockup solenoid is inside the transmission on the valve body most likely. Has a transmission re-learn procedure been done since the transmission was replaced? If not, this is the most likely place to start. Not sure which transmission you have, 4EAT (4 speed) or 5EAT (5 speed). If you Google the appropriate transmission model plus transmission re-learn procedure, you can find the instructions to do the procedure. You tube may also have information on this. The following video may help you understand what is involved in a typical re-learn:

Note that a scan tool will be required to perform the procedure, as the old data needs to be erased in order to re-program the transmission.

 

[2jackmans]

The lockup solenoid is inside the transmission on the valve body most likely. Has a transmission re-learn procedure been done since the transmission was replaced? If not, this is the most likely place to start. Not sure which transmission you have, 4EAT (4 speed) or 5EAT (5 speed). If you Google the appropriate transmission model plus transmission re-learn procedure, you can find the instructions to do the procedure. You tube may also have information on this. The following video may help you understand what is involved in a typical re-learn:

Note that a scan tool will be required to perform the procedure, as the old data needs to be erased in order to re-program the transmission.

Thank you. Sounds like I better take it to a x-mission pro.