TR6 Creaking and vibration...TR6

[mabbott]

I hear a creaking/squeaking sound when starting out in first gear. The drive train appears to have some vibration. Is it time to replace the drive shaft U-joints? Anything to look for?

1973 TR6

 

[Rusticus]

Check the diff mounts, too. And the axle u-joints.

 

[Tomster]

Could this be rust (oxidized) rotors??
A High humiditity storage area can cause this to happen pretty quickly. You didn't say if the sound stops after a few stops. Sorry just a guess from past experience, during a very rainy summer

 

[DougF]

You didn't specify where the creaking noises were coming from. Have these symptoms just started or have they been happening for a while?
Crawl under the car and check for play in your u-joints. If there is play, it is time to change them. I would suggest changing all at one time.

 

[mabbott]

The symptoms just started on the last two rides. It's definitely drive train related and sounds like it comes from the middle of the car. The vibration factor has increased. I'll be checking the U-joints but wanted some other ideas if it's not that.

Thanks for the responses.

 

[gjh2007]

Generally if the rear view mirror vibrates it's in the drive shaft, a bad u joint in an axle will probably be felt in the seat of your pants.

Just general comments, not scientific.

Keep us posted.


p.s. I would do drive shaft or axles first, then drive & do see if it goes away, then you can narrow down where it was, unless very obvious during your inspection.

 

[mabbott]

Upon inspection last night, I couldn't find much play in the U-joints.........But there was play where the four bolts mate the flanges together! Each end of the drive shaft were loose. One U-joint didnt look so good so I ordered a set and will replace the bolts/nuts also.

 

[Tomster]

Also check your transmission mount, hate to miss that when your u jointing

 

[Aeroken]

When searching for the cause of a similar problem on my '73 TR6, I was ecstatic when I found a loose halfshaft flange. However, since I already had the new diff mounts I decided to continue and replace those while I was there as well as the U-joints. You can imagine my disappointment when I dropped the diff and found the mount cracked also.

My $0.02 is that if it is squeaking under load it is probably a cracked differential mount . Clunking alone could be u-joints or loose flanges. Vibration could be any of the above.

Ken

 

[Alan_Myers]

[ QUOTE ]
...and will replace the bolts/nuts also.

[/ QUOTE ]

I highly recommend using aircraft grade bolts and all metal self-locking nuts. Nylocks are a bit iffy on the drive shafts (6 of 8 were only finger tight on my TR4 when I disassembled it... scary!).

TRF sells an upgrade kit with good quality bits, but it would probably be cheaper to assemble a set yourself. Look for parts houses near any local general aviation airport, and they will likely have the hardware.

You might want to have the drive shaft balanced, too. That could be the vibration you feel, although I suspect the creaking is from a cracked diff mount, sorry to say.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif

 

[Andy Blackley]

Creaks might also be due to rusty/worn shock links. I had a creak in my car even after the u-joints, diff mounts, rear hubs, etc had been dealt with.
When I recently replaced the stock shocks with the tube type I discoverd the culprit was the right shock link. No more creaks. To check yours next time the rear is on jack stands jack up the trailing arms a bit to releive the load and then look for play in the link.

 

[mabbott]

Re: UPDATE..........Creaking and vibration...TR6

I finally got the exhaust off to replace the drive shaft u-joints...WAPITA.. The u-joints took care of the problem. One was junk the other was questionable. The new ones have the grease fittings and should last longer.
The car rides smoother when shifting and doesn't have that bucking feeling when taking your foot off the gas.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif

Thanks for the suggestions.....everything else looked good.