Hi All,

It's been a while since I've posted here! My 2005 3.0 Auto X-type is suffering some vibrations and drumming that seem to be coming from the rear of the car - it starts at about 55/60 mph... by about 80mph it's mainly gone. Below 55/60 it's silent and smooth. Also, there's no steering wheel judder or any other noises or symptoms.

The local dealer have taken a look and blamed it on uneven tyre wear. They say that everything else appears to be completely fine. So I just replaced all of the tyres and this basically made no difference.

1) Does anyone have other ideas as to what to check out??
2) Can someone recommend a good Jag experienced mechanic in the Wilmington area of Delaware, USA.

Any advice appreciated!...

 

2 things, have you done a 4 wheel alignment? Why are you getting uneven tire wear? I would have first swapped the front tires to the back and sen if the vibration migrated with the tires. The other question is there any damage to the rims? My crap steel rims give me shudders between 70 and 80 MPH, under and over that it's smooth. My regular rims give no shudder what so ever.

 

Yes, the wheels have been aligned - and as for the tyre wear, I personally couldn't see anything unusual about how they were wearing. I'm thinking that the dealer just spun me a line there! I've since swapped the front wheels with the rear, and it's exactly the same feel - also, no significant damage to the wheels, just a bit of light curbing on a couple. I'm beginning to wonder whether it's something mechanical, but I just don't have any other symptoms which is odd...

 

Hmmm, could be a wheel bearing issue or a worn bushing on one of the end links. The other thnig that might cause it is the drive shaft bearing, but usually you get some noise coming up through the floor. Maybe try jacking up one wheel at a time and seeing if there is any play in each of the back wheels.

 

Wheel bearings, Control arms or bushings.

 

Appreciate your input - I'll get those points checked. Before I do though, I had another observation... the rear wheel (right side when looking from rear) has far more negative camber than the other one. Also, it almost looks like the car is leaning to the left too. Very odd. Any idea what could cause that, and can it be adjusted? And could that possibly cause the judder??

 

CONTROL ARMS. or Control-arm BUSHINGS. If one side has gone, the other side has too, or will soon, so just do them all at once if you plan on keeping the car.

One other possibility, (but less-chance) is worse shocks on the left than the bad ones on the right. LOL

 

it could also be your drive shaft... I was missing a bolt from the rear drive shaft and when I replaced it it took my vibrations away! I went as far as replacing all four tires with $650 tires to getting all 4 "bent" rims fixed, but when I finally took it to the dealer they noticed a bolt missing from the rear drive shaft and put one in for me and it took my problems away. Put your car in the air and look at the end of the drive shaft, make sure your not missing a bolt some how.

It could be so many things:
Control arms
Bushings
Wheel Bearings
Bent rims
Crappy tires
Drive shaft

But what sucks more is that you think taking it to the dealer would isolate your problem and get it fixed, instead they give you the run around and crap on your head and send you on your way.

 

Also check your struts/shocks. I had the vibration problem from 55-70mph and it went away after I replaced worn shocks and a broken strut.

 

with the car being off camber on one side might be an indication that someone nailed a curb or something. I'd lift it up and have a look at both sides to see if I could notice anything that doesn't look right.