eric383
Well-Known Member
After the tires I would check the trans mount and then have the driveshaft balanced. Good luck.
Bad vibrations...
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Shorthorse
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Lots of good advice here. You said it has been doing this since you got the car. Do you know if the previous owner did any work on the transmission or replaced the torque converter? If you follow all the balancing suggestions first and still have a vibration, you may have to start looking at the flexplate and torque converter combination. I know nothing about 318's but sometimes people replace those parts with the incorrect units (internal vs. external balance).
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That is what I was thinking.Put the rear on jackstands,,,,start,,put into gear and look at the DS.It's straight or it's not........
Dave145
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The previous owner stories are a bit murky on this car.
It came from TN, where it sat outside a barn or something for most of it's life. Then was purchased by PO #1. It was then sold again and moved to VA by PO #2. This guy did all kinds of happy crap to it (most of it had to be redone and was just plain bad or wrong). It was then sold again to PO #3 and moved to KY. It sat in KY for a year, then I bought it and drive it up here to WI a month ago. I have no receipts or real knowledge of what has or hasn't been done to her, but it would appear as if everything engine/trans related it pretty untouched based on how much crud is accumulated on everything.
The vibration feels to be related to the wheels though, because it gets worse while turning or going around a curve.
It came from TN, where it sat outside a barn or something for most of it's life. Then was purchased by PO #1. It was then sold again and moved to VA by PO #2. This guy did all kinds of happy crap to it (most of it had to be redone and was just plain bad or wrong). It was then sold again to PO #3 and moved to KY. It sat in KY for a year, then I bought it and drive it up here to WI a month ago. I have no receipts or real knowledge of what has or hasn't been done to her, but it would appear as if everything engine/trans related it pretty untouched based on how much crud is accumulated on everything.
The vibration feels to be related to the wheels though, because it gets worse while turning or going around a curve.
Dave145
Well-Known Member
When I had the car on stands a couple weeks ago to check the rear end for wobbling, I had a helper rum the car up to 55mph while I watched everything. The driveshaft was straight as an arrow
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Then a good spin balance is in order and inspect the rims for runout.
Dave145
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Well I managed to get the tires looked at by a reputable shop here in town, and got see interesting news. Turns out, the tires are too big for the rims. Apparently the tires are for rims that are 6-7.5" wide, and mine are only 5-5.5" wide. The shop didn't want to Roadforce them (I didn't either actually) because it wouldn't prove anything.
Monday I will have a new set of 215/70r14 tires put on.
They also said all 4 tires were badly chopped, so I may have to replace the "new" shocks on the car to make sure they aren't jumping around.
Monday I will have a new set of 215/70r14 tires put on.
They also said all 4 tires were badly chopped, so I may have to replace the "new" shocks on the car to make sure they aren't jumping around.
Well you have my number if you need to look further, if the problem persists!
Thunder
Dave145
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I certainly will! Once I get the tires and new pitman arm installed I'll keep everyone updated!
Polara426
Well-Known Member
I would check the torque on the axle nuts if it has the original rear with tapered axles htey need to be at least 100 foot pounds.
Dave145
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I recently had the rear drums off to replace the rear wheel bearings and check out the brakes back there. We made sure to torque the nut to spec (forget if it was 100 or 120 ft/lbs).
Managed to get the new pitman arm installed yesterday. The original arm was straight, and the new one is curved to the right. The splines line up and the end points are the same, but now for some reason my steering wheel is 90 degrees off. I tried reclocking both the arm and the steering wheel, only to find the wheel to have a master spline and the pitman arm to be in correctly.
The old arm once out was garbage. Super loose and chunky. Safe to say that's how the rest of the joints under there are.
I'm at a crossroads. I'm no tire tech, but I wouldn't think tires that are just a smidge too big for the rims would set up such a nasty vibration. Being that it's now known that all the test of my steering joints are garbage, would you guys be inclined to say it's likely the tires causing this or the steering components and/or shocks? I'd hate to spend $500 on new tires (money I don't really have) just to have it not fix the problem.
Another quick question...anybody know what the stock rim width is on a '64 Polara? The tire shop says it's got 5.5" rims on it and the tires need 6-7.5" rims...
Managed to get the new pitman arm installed yesterday. The original arm was straight, and the new one is curved to the right. The splines line up and the end points are the same, but now for some reason my steering wheel is 90 degrees off. I tried reclocking both the arm and the steering wheel, only to find the wheel to have a master spline and the pitman arm to be in correctly.
The old arm once out was garbage. Super loose and chunky. Safe to say that's how the rest of the joints under there are.
I'm at a crossroads. I'm no tire tech, but I wouldn't think tires that are just a smidge too big for the rims would set up such a nasty vibration. Being that it's now known that all the test of my steering joints are garbage, would you guys be inclined to say it's likely the tires causing this or the steering components and/or shocks? I'd hate to spend $500 on new tires (money I don't really have) just to have it not fix the problem.
Another quick question...anybody know what the stock rim width is on a '64 Polara? The tire shop says it's got 5.5" rims on it and the tires need 6-7.5" rims...
The wheels on the 65 are 5.5. I cannot believe oversize tires are the source of your troubles.
I'm Here all Day. Lift is open.
Dave145
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Thunderlugs we may stop out today. We are at a show until 4. I'll give you a call before we leave.
That will work.
Dave145
Well-Known Member
Update time! With the help of Thunderlugs, we determined that every bushing in the front end is shot. I currently declined to have the new tires put on, and have now ordered everything from tie rods to bushings. Here's hoping to get it done in time for a large all Mopar show coming up in August!
Dave145
Well-Known Member
I'm back with an update! With the help of my dad we got the passenger front corner torn apart. It came apart surprisingly well. As expected, all bushings were trashed beyond hope.
After $200 in bushings and steering components, the rebuild started. Driving the old bushings out was...interesting. Between an air hammer and a U Joint press, we managed to get them out.
He got the lower one back in and the whole bottom passenger side put back together pretty quick. Upper bushings will come tomorrow, then it's on to the driver's side!
In the meantime, I went ahead and managed to mangle my right ankle (and fix it too?), along with touch-up some areas on the body and repaint the rockers. As of tonight I finished hanging some decent exhaust to get the PO's booger welded exhaust off.
Fun stuff!!
After $200 in bushings and steering components, the rebuild started. Driving the old bushings out was...interesting. Between an air hammer and a U Joint press, we managed to get them out.
He got the lower one back in and the whole bottom passenger side put back together pretty quick. Upper bushings will come tomorrow, then it's on to the driver's side!
In the meantime, I went ahead and managed to mangle my right ankle (and fix it too?), along with touch-up some areas on the body and repaint the rockers. As of tonight I finished hanging some decent exhaust to get the PO's booger welded exhaust off.
Fun stuff!!
Nice work!
Dave145
Well-Known Member
Now I just gotta source either a cheap 2bbl carb for her or rebush the throttle shaft in mine. The old Stromberg is a bit worn out and leaks there. Also need to determine why the motor shakes while accelerating in park with the front end on stands. Hoping it's just a weak coil causing breakup...
Dave145
Well-Known Member
I'm back! Sorry everyone for the delay and lack of pictures, it's been one hell of a month. Anyways......
I replaced every front bushing in the front end. Replaced every steering component as well, from pitman arm to tie rods (idler too!). Final result...still vibrates. Here's the scoop:
10-45mph - Shakes like crazy upon acceleration. Shakes when cruising too, but usually goes away with deceleration.
50-60mph - Smooth as glass. Tracks straight, no shimmy, no problems!
65-up - SHAKES. Comes in softly at 65. Feel it in the wheel, then by 70 in the floor too. 75 rattles the windows. Tried 80, felt like whole car was going to blow up.
Also vibrates when braking. I'm suspecting warped front drums there.
I'm at a loss here guys. New U-Joint, front end components, rebuilt the B&T joint and found no abnormal wear or play, tires have 5,000 miles on them max and have slight chopping to them. Rims are believed to be original. Had her aligned and tires balanced with balancing beads.
I know the front shocks are bad but I plan to replace them soon. Rear leafs are going flat, but I don't think that's the issue.
I replaced every front bushing in the front end. Replaced every steering component as well, from pitman arm to tie rods (idler too!). Final result...still vibrates. Here's the scoop:
10-45mph - Shakes like crazy upon acceleration. Shakes when cruising too, but usually goes away with deceleration.
50-60mph - Smooth as glass. Tracks straight, no shimmy, no problems!
65-up - SHAKES. Comes in softly at 65. Feel it in the wheel, then by 70 in the floor too. 75 rattles the windows. Tried 80, felt like whole car was going to blow up.
Also vibrates when braking. I'm suspecting warped front drums there.
I'm at a loss here guys. New U-Joint, front end components, rebuilt the B&T joint and found no abnormal wear or play, tires have 5,000 miles on them max and have slight chopping to them. Rims are believed to be original. Had her aligned and tires balanced with balancing beads.
I know the front shocks are bad but I plan to replace them soon. Rear leafs are going flat, but I don't think that's the issue.
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