Just got my Q + a vibration question...

[91QAZ]

Hello all,

On Friday I flew from Phoenix to LA to buy a black 91Q. It was in good shape and had dealer service records (including chain guides done by the dealer - woo hoo!). I love the car, and had plenty of miles to get acquanted with it on the drive home.

I am now in the process of reading old posts on this forum to educate myself and want to start fixing the things that this car needs. Here's one that's got me scratching my head:

I get what feels like a driveline vibration from about 10 MPH on up. I saw SUITE E's earlier post on a similar vibration, but mine is not just at 2000rpm. It starts at 10 mph and continues all the way to at least 100. It is more pronounced under heavy acceleration, but it's there when cruising or decelerating. I thought it could be a broken engine or transmission mount, but when cruising, if I put it in neutral and hit the gas the vibration is unaffected (which leads me to think it's not engine-related at all). Now I'm thinking driveshaft bent or out of balance? It has not been in any accidents that I know of. Anyone have any ideas? Am I missing something obvious?

Thanks - this is a GREAT forum.

Tom

[elwesso]

Tom

This sounds like a driveshaft... How many miles are on the car??

Maybe a transmission mount too....

After higher miles they tend to deform... Ive heard them being taken off and just spin balanced, like you would with tires...

[AZhitman]

Tom - Welcome to NICO!

Glad to have you aboard, and even MORE glad that you're enjoying the forums. Everythnig you'll ever want to know about your Q can be found here.

I'm in the north valley, we'll have to catch up sometime, I'd love to see the new Q!!!!

[91QAZ]

Wes, It's got 91K miles on it. Just noticed you live in Anderson. Small world - I was born there (you don't have a relative who's an MD there do you?) and lived there through 8th grade. I was there for Thanksgiving visiting the inlaws. My blood has thinned - it was COLD.

AZHITMAN - I'm in south Chandler. Have the AZ members ever had a BBQ or get together? I'd be up for it.

[elwesso]

Wes, It's got 91K miles on it. Just noticed you live in Anderson. Small world - I was born there (you don't have a relative who's an MD there do you?) and lived there through 8th grade. I was there for Thanksgiving visiting the inlaws. My blood has thinned - it was COLD.

AZHITMAN - I'm in south Chandler. Have the AZ members ever had a BBQ or get together? I'd be up for it.

My father and grandfather were both MDs.. Stinson is the last name...

Wished I would have known, we had a Q45 meet the day after thanksgiving near anderson.....

[91QAZ]

Wes, you don't know how bad I wish I had known about the meet. Did I mention I was with the INLAWS!? We sat around and watched the fire - drove me nuts. I would have MUCh rather been talking Q's...

My family doctor as a kid was a Stinson (can't recall the first name) - he delivered me at St. Johns Hosp. in 1969. Small world indeed.

[Mr1der]

haha sweet!

best of luck on the car...does sound like something isn't lined up or balanced right.

[91QAZ]

Yeah, I'm kinda expecting to hear the twightlight zone music here...

I found an old post on here that mentioned a sagging driveshaft center support bearing as being a possible culprit for drivetrain vibes starting at low speeds and expecially noticable on acceleration. I'll get under there and check it out this week...

[Q45tech]

Newly purchased 90-93Q regardless of mileage all need significant rehab work. The $3,000-$8,000 [$10,000 possible] must always be kept in mind when buying a $2,000 car [wholesale running condition].

Lot's safer to go with a 94-95 but it still might need $5,000.

You must become EXPERT at analysing a potential purchase and always have an even smarter expert give you the horrible facts in a prebuy inspection.

Those multi $1000 surprises can kill you, just assume $3,000 to start for rehab.

We bought a 90 LS 400 that had had $35,000 worth of dealer work history for $3,000 and it still cost $4,000 to get it right then the $2,000 per year and it only has 230,000 miles.

Understand why few technicans drive lux cars to work! G20 are good commuter cars if you fit, most drive import pickups or hand me downs that are simple to work on and repair.

[elwesso]

Wes, you don't know how bad I wish I had known about the meet. Did I mention I was with the INLAWS!? We sat around and watched the fire - drove me nuts. I would have MUCh rather been talking Q's...

My family doctor as a kid was a Stinson (can't recall the first name) - he delivered me at St. Johns Hosp. in 1969. Small world indeed.

Sounds like my grandfather.. Email me sometime [email protected]

[redmanfx]

Ditto what Q45tech said. I got my 92Q for under 3G's and have not stopped working on her. I've been replacing, changing, upgrading parts and spending just about what Q45tech mentioned. I just swapped out the origional transmission and drive shaft that had 258,000 miles on them. I had a vibration similar to what you may be experiencing. My vibration was worst when the car was cold but was fairly constant at lower RPMs'. All vibrations are gone and my car is loving me back for bringing her back to life.

I spent $825.00 on the transmission(a sweet deal from a friend of ours), $400.00 on a wicked looking remanned driveshaft(damned heavy too!), $100.00 on Mobile One, $92.00 on a new transmission mount, $200.00 on other related stuff and $700.00 on a Mechanic who did an excellent job. That all was just recently.

Before that there was other stuff, but my 92Q has me addicted and I'm lost to anything else. Well worth it if the car is in good shape. A older $48,000 car purchased at $2,500 is going to need a little more TLC than your average used car. I'm reconditioning mine and I'm probably a year away from getting mine where I want it(I only make so much). It's all worth it to me.

Check your transmission, Drive shaft, Mount and engine mounts.

red

[91QAZ]

Wes, wild about your grandfather, eh? I'll let you know next time I come up that way.

Great input guys. I am ready and willing to put the money, blood, and scaped knuckles into this car to get it rehabed. What a great car to drive - even with the low mpg and high maintenance (hopefully preventative maintenance) costs it is well worth it.

I appreciate all the input and info in this board. I think half the battle for me will be educating myself as to the needs of this car. I've got a lot of reading to do. My wife is getting jealous of the computer...

[AZhitman]

Well, not many Q guys can bring themselves to meet up, but I typically hang out with the 240 guys (strong following here locally).

Maybe next time we have a meet, I'll drive my Q and we'll meet up.

[elwesso]

Well, not many Q guys can bring themselves to meet up, but I typically hang out with the 240 guys (strong following here locally).

Maybe next time we have a meet, I'll drive my Q and we'll meet up.

The Q is now second rate...

[AZhitman]

Nope.

Q OWNERS in PHX are 2nd rate.

[1qckser]

WOW

[Rex]

It's an unfortunate fact that most Q owners are a touch older than Wes, and don't seem as "available" for meets. I'd have attended everyone within a 2 hour drive, if it wasn't for conflicts .

[91QAZ]

AZHitman - yeah, let me know when you guys do your next meet. I'll be there if at all possible. Rex has a point - family/work/etc. it all becomes a balancing act...