Vibrations!!

[Jappo]

Got a 1998 1.3i CooperS Works, immaculate, very low mileage but it vibrates starting at 60mph and ends up making the car undrivable on long hauls. It's the whole car - I've had front shocks, rubbers, all 4 tyres replaced and wheels balanced, still it vibrates. Any suggestions????

Also, why is the speedo (on standard 13inch wheels and 175/50 Yokas) 20% optimistic?

All help met with HUGE gratitude - I've had this car for 2 Years now - I must get it right on day!!

[fwdracer]

Have you tried declutching the car at 60-70mph in top gear (freewheeling) to see if the vibration goes when drive is taken away from the wheels (not recommended on the public road for too long )

If vibration only re-appears when drive is re-engaged it could indicate a severely out of balance / bent Driveshaft? Has the car ever been heavily kerbed?

[mini_lund]

Could it be slightly crabbing?

[oldboyracer64]

ok i know this sounds abit strange but my mini had a bad vibration all through the car you could feel it with you feet on the floor pans it started about 55/60 and this turned out to be the crank bolt had worked loose we only found this out after it came out and broke the fan after it was out i could move the alternator puller back and forward

as to the speedo is the engine a metro as the final drive is different
hope this is some help
david

[Jappo]

fwdracer said:

Have you tried declutching the car at 60-70mph in top gear (freewheeling) to see if the vibration goes when drive is taken away from the wheels (not recommended on the public road for too long )

If vibration only re-appears when drive is re-engaged it could indicate a severely out of balance / bent Driveshaft? Has the car ever been heavily kerbed?

Actually I'm not sure I have tried that, now I will and I'll report back - thanks!

[Jappo]

oldboyracer64 said:

as to the speedo is the engine a metro as the final drive is different
hope this is some help
david

It's a 1998 1.3i 5 speed - although it runs the Jack Knight 5 speed box - which was fitted from new by Coopers (synchro's getting a bit knackered btw). It's had the same engine from new, don't know whether that means it's a Metro or not. What I do know is that I was the 2nd owner and the first only did 14K miles in it and paid nearly 14K for the car when it was new (with all the Cooper stuff, leather interior etc).

[jammy_basturd]

The Jack Knight 5 speed box was an optional extra on the last Coopers.

Is the whole car vibrating or is it mainly coming through the steering wheel?

[miniman]

A suggestion from Cooperman who is currently unable to log in for some reason:

Cooperman said:

What I wanted to post about was the vibration one poster has. I wanted to tell him to check that the hubs are all running concentrically. I had experience of on non-concentric hub which caused the wheel to run off centreline. I changed the hub and it cured the problem.