Vibration At Highway Speeds
Vibration associated with the Constant Velocity (CV) joints in the halfshafts occur in the 3rd and 6th order (3 or 6 events for each rotation). The inner tripod joint with three pivot axis has three events in each rotation of the halfshaft. This will produce a 3rd order vibration of the wheel rotation speed. The outer CV joint with 6 pivot axis balls has six events in each rotation of the halfshaft. This will produce a 6th order vibration of the wheel rotation speed. A 6th order vibration will create a high pitch sound, like gear noise. Use a vibration analyzer to determine the frequency of the vibration before replacing components.
| SYMPTOM | POSSIBLE CAUSE | REPAIR |
|---|---|---|
| LOW FREQUENCY VIBRATION, MATCHING WHEEL SPEED. WHEEL BALANCE AND RUNOUT IS OK. | 1. Foreign material (plastic bags, organic sinew and road debris) fouling the halfshaft. | 1. Clean debris from around halfshaft. |
| HIGH FREQUENCY VIBRATION MATCHING 3RD ORDER WHEEL SPEED. | 1. Faulty inner tripod joint. 2. Vehicle ride height is modified. |
1. Replace halfshaft. 2. Return vehicle to proper ride height. |
| HIGH PITCH WHINE SOUND WITH POSSIBLE HIGH FREQUENCY VIBRATION IN THE FLOOR MATCHING 6TH ORDER WHEEL SPEED. | 1. Faulty outer CV joint. 2. Vehicle ride height is modified. |
1. Replace halfshaft. 2. Return vehicle to proper ride height. |