Performance & Maintenance Engine, forced induction, intakes, exhausts, torque converters, transmissions, etc.

Differential / driveshaft knocking + vibration - need help diagnosing?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-07-06, 06:40 PM
  #1  
MikeFD3S
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
 
MikeFD3S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Torrance, California
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Exclamation Differential / driveshaft knocking + vibration - need help diagnosing?

While driving, i'm getting a knocking sound that increases with speed (from 0 - whenever). The car is also experiencing vibration at highway speeds.

I'm thinking there is a problem with the driveshaft, but haven't gotten underneath the car to check.

What are the likely culprits for this bad behavior?

Center Driveshaft bearing?
Motor or transmission mounts?
Differential?

If anyone has experience with this kind of problem, please chime in. If you know the costs for the repair (parts $) and how long it should take to perform it, please post that too.

Thanks guys
Old 12-07-06, 06:49 PM
  #2  
jibbby
Banned - could not follow forum rules
 
jibbby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: CA
Posts: 1,020
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Could be an unbalanced driveshaft but that is not common on the SC's, but could happen if the driveshaft took a big hit or something...I would check the motor and tranny mounts first...Then maybe the differential and or drive shaft joints..... How many miles are on your car?
Old 12-07-06, 07:14 PM
  #3  
Psionic
Lead Lap
 
Psionic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: TX
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Lift the car and push up on the driveshaft. If it moves, then its the center bearing. Get a used driveshaft from one of the guys in the parts section.

If it doesnt move, then go to any lexus dealer and get a xmission mount for $75. If it doesnt fix the problem, well... you needed one anyway
Old 12-07-06, 07:50 PM
  #4  
MikeFD3S
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
 
MikeFD3S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Torrance, California
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I've got about 132,000 on the car

and 14 years later i am sure it will need a tranny mount

I'll check those out. I haven't heard of the shaft joints going bad on these cars that often, is it very common?
Old 12-08-06, 12:08 AM
  #5  
SCoupe
Lexus Test Driver

 
SCoupe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: California
Posts: 887
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Would any or all of the suggested fixes apply to a w58 5-speed. I've got vibration that comes on in the ~85mph level. Put in a n/a lsd and then it started.
Old 12-08-06, 02:42 AM
  #6  
Luv Da Lex
Lexus Test Driver
 
Luv Da Lex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: California
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i had a similar problem mike. turns out to be my diff. does it feel like it wants to lock up like a welded diff and makes a lot of nasty noises? i hope its not.
Old 12-08-06, 04:13 AM
  #7  
MikeFD3S
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
 
MikeFD3S's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Torrance, California
Posts: 719
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

the knocking sound is really consistent with the wheel speed, so i don't think it's on the diff side. Seems to drive and handle just fine...except for the

ko ko ko ko ko ko kokokokokokokokokkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

knocking sound + vibration
Old 12-08-06, 07:54 PM
  #8  
MJHSC400
Lexus Test Driver
 
MJHSC400's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: sc
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

could be one of the rubber flex discs at each end of the drive shaft-- I had a bmw 5 series that did exactly the same thing-- and all it was was a flex disc--

Cheap repair...
Old 11-15-10, 08:46 PM
  #9  
313sc3
Lead Lap
 
313sc3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Michigan
Posts: 475
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Bump this because I'm having the same problem. Could anyone chime in?
Old 11-15-10, 08:50 PM
  #10  
BartleDoo
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
BartleDoo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: fl
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Check the center bearing bolts. They could be loose from the lsd install. I have see it happen.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
DirtyKurty
IS F (2008-2014)
3
05-15-19 12:09 PM
Rmg93SC
Performance & Maintenance
1
05-07-18 08:48 AM
504
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
5
06-09-11 06:41 PM
quaiduhm
SC- 1st Gen (1992-2000)
9
04-04-11 11:14 AM
ruelpogi
Performance & Maintenance
6
12-31-06 08:28 PM



Quick Reply: Differential / driveshaft knocking + vibration - need help diagnosing?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:47 PM.