Peter's 94 Q suspension rattle and vibration saga continues

[Peterofdevon]

We got the rattle!

New tech spent hours, pulled swaybars, checked ball joints, links, etc---still rattled. He put a listening device digital sensor on upper arm and lower joint and heard it easily as he drove the car.

Then he turned ball joints around, tightened everything, did some rubber replacement from shop parts and it vanished!!!

Still have intermit subtle vibration (almost a grinding vibration)--and to narrow it down...and we can now eliminate (new parts) links, struts, strut mounts, strut bar, ball joints and most all bushings, and a full shop day on the twice reassembly!

Car is two months old to me. Lots of prior owner right side suspension wear/abuse. Vibrated more right front when first bought, then I installed the FSTB and the vibe seen to even out across the front...hmmmm.

Vib is about 50% of the time and I begin to feel it as the car gets up to 20/25 mph. When its not happening---the car is a PERFECT tracker.

I'm am about to take a gamble and do the wheel bearing since they can do the intermitant thing---talk me out of it!

Wes? Jeff? QTech? guys???

Peter of the 3 Qs

[chinaonnitrous]

Hmm...transmission and exhaust mount...sounds like.

[Jeff Williams]

I didn't see a mention of brakes, wheels, or tires in your list of things checked, but I think you ahve already ruled those out.

The wheel bearing could be the culprit.

If the strut bar helped the issue, then I would think it is in the suspension or wheel.

[Peterofdevon]

FTM (forgot to mention)Have new tires, wheels, front brakes. Vib was there before the new wheels, tires and brakes.

Can the mounts be checked without replacement???

Peter

[maxnix]

Hmm...transmission and exhaust mount...sounds like.

Good bet. Check for sag. If it is 8+ years or 70K miles and the srvice history does not mention it, it's time. Get one with the exhaust hangar bracket and you will see the difference. A deflection of .5" is critical.

But as to the grinding, I am betting hub and bearing. What is the runout you measured? And you are certain about the condition of the ball joints?

[elwesso]

To check for bearings..... Lift the wheels off the ground and spin... The rear wheels will spin on their own with the engine on and even just in neutral.