Okay, I'm at wit's end with this problem.

Sept 2000 I finished the B18C1 swap into my '95 EJ civic. Since day one, i've had a strange, but light vibration that happens at 30 mph usually at moderate to heavy load in either 2nd or 3rd gear.

In the mean time, I've had on several different wheels, and a few half shafts with no change in the vibration. The vibratoin is not rpm dependent, just speed.

At first, I thought I was having some strange vibration from the engine, but since it isn't rpm dependent I would have to say that the problem is somwhere beyond the clutch. Oh yeah, completely different clutch and flyhweel since day one as well.

Here's a thought that I had. Since I've changed the halfshafts, with no avail, it has to be the intermediate shaft. However, the intermediate shaft bearing is in good shape.

Recently, I just installed a new half shaft (don't ask about the half shaft...wretched 6-puck), and made solid torque mounts out of 3M window weld. Now the vibratoin is a bit worse and it seems like I can feel it at higher speeds under full throttle.

What could it be? Is there some funky voodoo in my shafts? bad wheel bearing? bad Intermediate shaft bearing? I just replaced the input shaft bearings and installed an LSD and the problem is no different.

Thanks for any input.

-Alex

 

what kind of vibration is it? is it something you can feel? or is it just a noise? try and describe the sound/feel and i'll do my best to help you.

thanx,
andrew

 

It's a vibration that you can feel through the pedals and the steering wheel. In fact, it shakes the whole car. Sometimes you can feel it in the floor on the passenger side.

 

No noises when turning? How about the shake turn? Shake the steering wheel back and forth going down a strait road.

I am thinking drive shafts or intermediate shaft.........since you changed the flywheel and clutch........hrm......

 

Wheels balanced? try different wheels and tires...
check alignment..
check steering components..
tie rods rod ends ball joints.
check the steering rack

 

check your CV boots to make sure they aren't leaking grease. if they are, then I bet that's your problem. they tend to vibrate and rattle when they are low on grease. does the tranny shift fine? any weird noises other than the vibration? it could even be something as simple as a broken/loose/incorrectly installed motor/tranny mount. what i'd do is just search for ANYTHING possible that could be out of wack from the swap. even if you don't think it's the problem, test everything you can. i'm leaning toward driveshaft or bearings but you might as well rule out the inexpensive stuff first

 

>>>>>No noises when turning? How about the shake turn? Shake the steering wheel back and forth going down a strait road.
I am thinking drive shafts or intermediate shaft.........since you changed the flywheel and clutch........hrm......<<<<<<&lt ;

There is no noise, ever. Just the vibration. It doesn't matter if I'm turning or going in a straight line. If I'm cruising at 30, or if I'm lightly accelerating (doesn't happen that often ) you don't feel anything.

The axels have been replaced a few times over with no changes what soever. I'm starting to think that it has to be the intermediate shaft or a bearing.

 

>>>check your CV boots to make sure they aren't leaking grease. if they are, then I bet that's your problem. they tend to vibrate and rattle when they are low on grease.<<<<

As I've mentioned, the half shafts have been replaced at the same time twice now with no change in the vibration. I really can't see it being there.

>>> does the tranny shift fine? <<<

I just replaced the inputshaft bearings, diff bearings (for the LSD), and a few other parts. Tranny is working better than any B-series motor trans that I've ever felt.

>>>any weird noises other than the vibration? it could even be something as simple as a broken/loose/incorrectly installed motor/tranny mount.<<<

No sounds whatsoever. Every motor mount has been retightend a few times for one process or another so I really can't see it being there.

>>>what i'd do is just search for ANYTHING possible that could be out of wack from the swap. even if you don't think it's the problem, test everything you can. i'm leaning toward driveshaft or bearings but you might as well rule out the inexpensive stuff first<<<<

Yeah, definitely need to look at inexpensive first. The only problem is that I think I've done all that I can without spending much money. I've had the car looked over a couple of times after the swap and everything really checks out. When I rebuilt my tranny, I had the shop that did the work drive the car after I got it back together. He didn't think it was driveline, but it has to be. I need to get a few more professional opinions and maybe I'll nail down the problem. I'm really starting to think that it's a bearing.

 

>>>Wheels balanced? try different wheels and tires... <<<

I've had about 4 different sets of wheels on the car with no change in the vibration

>>>check alignment.. <<<

Problem was exactly the same after the last alignment

>>>check steering components..
tie rods rod ends ball joints.
check the steering rack<<<

I need to check this out. I don't feel any knocking or other strange quirks that would suggest the steering compents. The rack is tight, I've replaced one known bad ball joint, but I will be checking all of this. The only thing that would make me think that these components are not the issue, is that it never did it prior to the swap.

Thanks guys, keep the suggestions up. I'm going to be busy