Hi all!

I am in real need of help.

Had a vibration on my 2012 L322 4.4 TDV8 Westminster

My rear propshaft was obliterated (the centre rubber was completely destroyed and missing).
Have replaced:

Replaced rear prop shaft which reduced the huge vibrations at speed

Then replaced:

All shock absorbers with Biltstiens
All Air Springs with Dunlops
All front arms & bushes
All 4 tyres with brand new scorpion zeros 255/50/20 on original wheels
Replaced 1 wheel that had a buckle
Had all 4 wheels road force balanced
Tracking done twice
Front drivers driveshaft and knuckle & bearing changed
Front brake discs and pads changed new brembos
2 front brake calipers changed
Rear drivers caliper changed due to bleed nipple

Car is still whirring as you pick up speed and vibrates through the steering wheel

Does this in neutral and even if accelerating or decelerating…

Have now changed front diff oil, can’t see any bits of metal in there, it was gunky on the plug.
Changed engine oil for recommended Shell Helix Pro stuff.
Changed brake fluid.

Also, checked front prop and can’t see play in it, it only moves slightly back and forward on the rubber.

I can’t feel play on the driveshafts or move the wheels when off the ground (thinking bearings)

Getting a bit fed up now! Please help if you can!

Thanks,
Ryan

What mph does it start doing it? How many miles has it done.
Why did you change the front right driveshaft? Could the left one need changing as well?
What does the colour of the power steering fluid look like.

Hi thanks for replying.

It has about 115k.

The vibration seems Audible from almost 30mph and the vibration worsens as you speed up quite bad at 70mph.

The front right knuckle & driveshaft hadn’t failed but I had to change them due to ball joints not coming out.

I’ll check the power steering fluid in the daylight and feed back.

My next port of call was going to be looking at the front propshaft (maybe it’s out of balance or something). Or yes, thought maybe a front left issue with bearing or driveshaft). Not sure how to tell if it’s an issue with the diff or transfer box…..

Many thanks for your help.

Silly question, have you checked tyres and wheels for buckles? I had nasty vibration turned out the inside of one tyre had a bulge, 2 new tyres later vibration gone.

Thanks,

Yes have changed the tyres to brand new ones after some part worn changed on the rear and found 2 buckled wheels. One replaced by the good spare and I bought another wheel.

The new tyres were road force balanced and wheels double checked today - still have the problem unfortunately…..

Is it worth swapping the front wheels to the back and see what happens?

Does the vibration increase with road speed or engine speed or engine load, indicating drive-line or engine / torque converter issue?

Can the fan be readily moved by hand with the engine not running? L405 D350 SE Carpathian Grey D5 19" rims

I’ve tried swapping wheels around but still get the vibration.

It increases with road speed . Engine load, braking, cornering etc doesn’t change it.

Will check the fan shortly

Thanks

Has the transfer case oil been checked? L405 D350 SE Carpathian Grey D5 19" rims

Had the car up in the air today.

There is some rotational play in the front prop and when turning the rear wheel there is a rubbing noise at one point (same point every time)… mechanic is going to look in the rear drums to check brake shoes and rear disc run out. Also going to check the prop bearings.

I think there is a bearing noise (front left) with the vibration when I circle a roundabout……

Will feed back if anything found.

Changing the transfer case fluid hopefully too

Sounds like you're doing a great job replacing parts. It will be great once you nail it down. Random one, there aren't any wheel spacers on it are there? Even hub-centric ones can incite vibrations through the car.

If you've balanced wheels and cleaned all the faces (wheels and disks), its less likely to be the wheels. You can swap wheel front to back to see if the vibration moves. Are you happy the disks are all running true?

If its as bad as you say, can you get it on a lift and run it through the gears on a lift to see if you can find the culprit that way? I don't recommend this on stands, it could go very wrong it if falls of at an indicated 70 mph!

maybe wheel bearing ?

My Wife's P38 had a similar problem which turned out to be the viscous Fan. Does the vibration happen when reving the engine in neutral? Something else to eliminate. 🙂

I have discovered an issue with my Westminster which is giving me a vibration, albeit, it is most noticeable when pulling away and at low speed. Investigations by my Rangie specialist has uncovered some wear in a rear hub knuckle which was allowing a bush to slide out of position. That was affecting the rear wheel camber and causing the vibration.

Note sure if this is any help.

RobsterPC wrote:

Sounds like you're doing a great job replacing parts. It will be great once you nail it down. Random one, there aren't any wheel spacers on it are there? Even hub-centric ones can incite vibrations through the car.

If you've balanced wheels and cleaned all the faces (wheels and disks), its less likely to be the wheels. You can swap wheel front to back to see if the vibration moves. Are you happy the disks are all running true?

If its as bad as you say, can you get it on a lift and run it through the gears on a lift to see if you can find the culprit that way? I don't recommend this on stands, it could go very wrong it if falls of at an indicated 70 mph!