OK, OK so it's a Jensen Healey...

[Jim Weatherford]

Hey guys & gals;

The suspension in my JH Mk I was designed by Mr. Healey and his engineers, here's my situation.

When I drive it, the car feels like it has front "wheel hop" very much what feels like a vibration in the front end, but I'm not 100% sure about the location. This just started last weekend.

The wheels were balanced yesterday and the problem is still there. I looked under the JH and could see nothing missing or bent on the front suspension. The ball joints looked tight and I'm going to have the frontend looked at today.

The most unusual thing about this is when I am at speed, anywhere from 5 MPH to 65 MPH I have the vibration, when I depress the clutch at speed, the vibration stops! Should I also check the U-Joints and drive shaft. I had the transmission rebuilt less than a year ago and it seems very tight.

I'm not sure what "unloads" when the clutch is depressed, but there is a cause and effect for sure.

I'd appreciate your help and assistance on this. Thanks.

[ 05-06-2004: Message edited by: Jim Weatherford ]</p>

 

[Bob McElwee]

Having just replaced u-joints in a 62 BT7 that demostrated the same symptons I'd suggest checking the drive train. Fortunately the vibration started the last 100 miles of a 2,500 mile round trip to the TX Healey Round-up

Fixed in time for the Bluegrass Springthing next week.
Miss BT7

 

[bradal]

Jim: My vote goes to the driveshaft, also. I have an idea you will find a bent or misaligned driveshaft or bad u-joints or some combination of those things. Those should be fairly simple things to rectify. AL Bradley

 

[WALTER]

But the brive shaft keeps moving even when the clutch is in. ???

 

[PC]

Actually, the suspension in a JH was designed and built by the guys at Vauxhall. It came from the Vauxhall Viva/Firenza. Mr. Healey did do a splendid job picking it out and integrating it into his car.

Since the vibration goes away when you de-clutch it would seem to come from something that is related to engine RPM and/or load.

When you de-clutch and the vibration goes away are you letting the motor idle down? Are you re-revving to engage? Does the vibration come back as you rev up but before engaging or only after engaging?

If the vibration occurs when the engine is revved and not engaged then I would guess that it's in the motor/flywheel/clutch zone.

If the vibration only occurs after the clutch is engaged I'd guess clutch/trans/u-joints/driveshaft area. Something that is worn, broken or bent and showing up only under load sounds reasonable. U-joints seem like a good candidate and should be pretty easy to check.


PC.

.

[ 05-06-2004: Message edited by: PC ]</p>

 

[UltimateQuestion]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr> But the drive shaft keeps moving even when the clutch is in. ??? <hr></blockquote>

True, but it is disconnected from the big lump up front between the front wheels, where the problem "seems" to be. I would also check for loose/broken motor and trans mounts.

 

[PC]

Oh yeah, I forgot to ask,

Does the vibration come up through the steering or is does it just shake the car?

Since these cars come from right-hand drive land but were made for a left-hand world there are special "features".

One is that the steering linkage has to snake its way through a maze exhaust header tubes. The clearance is very tight. If anything is sagging, loose or misaligned like the header, engine mounts or steering linkages they may touch and transmit vibrations. (but not necessarily the drivers, who are often sagging, loose or misaligned but don't generally cause the car the vibrate.)


PC.

.

[ 05-07-2004: Message edited by: PC ]</p>

 

[Jim Weatherford]

Well I guess it could be worse... seems the FOD I hit on the freeway damaged the drive shaft, putting a rather large dent in the tube, and bending the rear transmission (mount) cross member. The U-Joints were not tight either, so the repair will include repairing the cross member and having the drive shaft trued and replacing the U Joints. I’ll order the repair parts and I’ll see if we discover anything further when we get the work started in about two weeks.

Thanks all for your ideas, help and suggestions.

 

[Super 7]

I'm curious.

Did you take it to a Driveline specialist, or to a regular repair shop.

My brother needs to find a good driveline shop in Orange County.

I had to have the one on my 4 door Cortina balanced twice in the first couple years I had it. I don't know why.

 

[Jim Weatherford]

Hey SS;

I took it to a friends private "Shop" in Diamond Bar. They build and race NASCAR. Unfortunately it was a "Buddy Deal". Sorry. I don't know anyone directly in the drive line business.

You might call Dean at The House of Cobra in Anaheim and see if he knows anyone, and I'll just bet he does. Tell Dean I refered you to him (that will only cost you double LOL). Thanks.