Vibration only under acceleration
#1
Vibration only under acceleration
The basics:
'02 base model, 114k miles, 5speed.
When accelerating above about 50 MPH, there is a vibration that goes away as soon as you take your foot off the gas. It is stronger through the floor on the passenger side, which leads me to think it is on that corner. I just replaced all brake pads & rotors, and properly torqued the lugs, and there was no change.
My mechanic thinks it might be the axle, and I think that is plausible, but he admits he has minimal MINI experience.
Any suggestions before I tear into it and replace the axle?
'02 base model, 114k miles, 5speed.
When accelerating above about 50 MPH, there is a vibration that goes away as soon as you take your foot off the gas. It is stronger through the floor on the passenger side, which leads me to think it is on that corner. I just replaced all brake pads & rotors, and properly torqued the lugs, and there was no change.
My mechanic thinks it might be the axle, and I think that is plausible, but he admits he has minimal MINI experience.
Any suggestions before I tear into it and replace the axle?
#6
#7
Ok I just replaced my upper strut mount which was cracked. A lot of vibration went away. My lover engine mount will be in tomorrow. I'll let you know if it fixes it. Mine is cracked so yeah... Who knows. If that isn't it I'll replace ball joints then driveshaft... It's gettin expensive now...
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#8
Ok I just replaced my upper strut mount which was cracked. A lot of vibration went away. My lover engine mount will be in tomorrow. I'll let you know if it fixes it. Mine is cracked so yeah... Who knows. If that isn't it I'll replace ball joints then driveshaft... It's gettin expensive now...
I am having the exact same problem! Please let me know the results. Man I was hoping it wasn't anything serious but this worries me.
#9
#10
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Hopefully you found the problem. If not, and you have to replace the cv joints you will have to buy a half shaft. CV joints are not sold separately as far as I know. I just replaced my passenger side half shaft. I bought a new replacement on E-bay for around $90 made by DSS. I have been driving with the new axel for over a month including some hard cornering and acceleration. So far it seems like a great quality shaft. I was warned about DSS axels after I made the purchase. I was told they don't hold up. So far I disagree. A new OEM half shaft will cost you over $500.
The job to remove and replace is really not that difficult. If this is the route you decide to take, let me know and I'd be glad to share my experience with you.
Chad
The job to remove and replace is really not that difficult. If this is the route you decide to take, let me know and I'd be glad to share my experience with you.
Chad
#11
Since I already know I have a problem with the upper hydraulic motor mount I am going to by the replacement. But I want to order everything at once so I was hoping there was an easy way to investigate the strut mount.
#13
I would suggest taking a peak at the control arm bushings, they are common. They generally don't cause too much of a problem, but occasionally they will tear all the way around and cause some issues.
I don't think I've seen an axle go bad, but given your current miles and model year, it is a possibility. I would hold off on the axle as a last resort, generally if you can feel any up and down movement on the shaft it is bad.
Definitely check your lower control arm bushings though.
I don't think I've seen an axle go bad, but given your current miles and model year, it is a possibility. I would hold off on the axle as a last resort, generally if you can feel any up and down movement on the shaft it is bad.
Definitely check your lower control arm bushings though.
#15
how easy is it to look if I have a cracked upper strut mount? Also I noticed that I have the same issue with the hydraulic upper motor mount leaking, looks like it has been doing it for awhile. Could this be the cause of the vibration? How dangerous is it to drive with a either problem?
Since I already know I have a problem with the upper hydraulic motor mount I am going to by the replacement. But I want to order everything at once so I was hoping there was an easy way to investigate the strut mount.
Since I already know I have a problem with the upper hydraulic motor mount I am going to by the replacement. But I want to order everything at once so I was hoping there was an easy way to investigate the strut mount.
#17
#18
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Where are you going to order them from? Are you going to order the DSS ones like I did? BTW I still have no issues with my new axle. I just added a RMW cam and even with the added power and hard acceleration, still very smooth. IMO it's worth a try for the amount of savings.
If you think the vibration is coming from the one side, I would just start with replacing that side and go from there. If you can retain one good factory axle and just replace what's damaged I think you'll be better off.
Chad
If you think the vibration is coming from the one side, I would just start with replacing that side and go from there. If you can retain one good factory axle and just replace what's damaged I think you'll be better off.
Chad
#19
Where are you going to order them from? Are you going to order the DSS ones like I did? BTW I still have no issues with my new axle. I just added a RMW cam and even with the added power and hard acceleration, still very smooth. IMO it's worth a try for the amount of savings.
If you think the vibration is coming from the one side, I would just start with replacing that side and go from there. If you can retain one good factory axle and just replace what's damaged I think you'll be better off.
Chad
If you think the vibration is coming from the one side, I would just start with replacing that side and go from there. If you can retain one good factory axle and just replace what's damaged I think you'll be better off.
Chad
#22
Wow thats a ton of work with no solution yet. I checked my upper strut mounts they are not cracked. But i do have some mushrooming going on. So i am going to buy the m7 SRB but i know that wont the wobble. A buddy of mine recently replaced an engine mount on one of his cars (not a mini) and he said he had the same problem as me with the wobble. He changed the mount and all is good now.
I am going to change out my bad upper hydraulic motor mount to see if that helps. I wont get to it until next weekend so i will update provide an update than. Hopefully someone comes across the fix soon.
I am going to change out my bad upper hydraulic motor mount to see if that helps. I wont get to it until next weekend so i will update provide an update than. Hopefully someone comes across the fix soon.
#23
I'm having the same issue with the vibration under acceleration (especially at speeds over 50). I just replaced upper and lower motor mounts which made some difference, but not a lot. I guess it's time for an axle change or two.
#24
I got all my parts in this week for the motor mounts so I am going after that this weekend. But FYI, I talked to a couple of folks from my local mini club and one had the same exact problem. He said that you should look at the control arm bushings. He said he changed the motor mounts which didn't do much but then changed his control arm bushings and it solved the problem. If my motor mounts don't fix this then I am on to the control arm bushings.
#25