My 2008 XKR has 115k miles and has developed a recurring vibration at around 70mph that increases as speed increases. It's in waves, not steady. I just had all 4 tires balanced and it's no better. Thinking it could be the driveshaft. Maybe the coupling? Anyone have experience that?

 

If they are lighter/stop when you turn then it's a wheel bearing.

 

David

I would help if you stated:

1) How long in ownership?
2) FSH?
3) Last oil change?
4) Last transmission fluid/pan change (the car should have had 2)?
5) Any work done prior to symptoms?

 

I had this issue pop up in my Grand Cherokee and a previous BMW. Turns out it took a Road Force Balance and not a standard balance to fix. With my SUV they did the Road Force and it got 10 times worse, I immediately went back to the shop and they figured out that they machine was out of calibration. Once they fixed the machine they fixed my vibration, but until then I thought they broke my vehicle.

 

i had debris inside a tire -- long story, previous owner's tires/wheels -- that caused noise and vibration. soon thereafter the driveshaft started doing its own thing, again, noise (lots) and vibration (yeah, some). there is a bearing or something that rusted out completely and finally gave up. both of these were very steady and very apparent issues. for it to come and go in waves while you're holding a specific speed is odd to me, can't say i've heard of that before. i assume you mean the entire vehicle? not just some steering shimmy, for example?

 

Increases with speed...... That's telling. Nothing forward of the transmission can cause that in the drivetrain. Has to be tires/wheels/hubs/bearings/rotors.

 

Marky,
I've owned the car 8 years. Not sure what FSH means. I change the oil every 6 months which turns out to be about 3k miles. Change fluid/filter on ZF trans about 10k miles ago at 105k. No work done prior to symptoms.
The vibration barely shakes the steering wheel and can be felt throughout the drivetrain. it's subtle but starts low, then raises, then subsides. At 75mph, total cycle is about 4 seconds, about a 1 second break then repeats. i will note the steering wheel shimmies slightly when braking, so i know the front rotors need replacing, just can't imagine a slightly warped rotor would cause vibration at speed as?
thanks all for your input!

 

The carrier bearing will do this.

 

You are going to get every answer in the book of vibration causers here, so you will need to start with the simple (and least expensive) and work your way through it!

 

Interesting... I've had the same vibration with the same frequencies you describe. New wheels made it a little better, road force balance made it a little better. However the problem is still there for me too. Same thing on my old x Type and I couldn't figure it out.

Its not too bad so I just deal with it, but they do make sensors that you can attach to all different parts to actually measure the vibration. I would say that's the only real way to find the source.

You could get the basic stuff out of the way: check for play in the suspension components, driveshaft, trans mount. Check engine mounts. Make sure tire pressure is good on all 4. Check for play in the wheels, etc...

 

FSH = full service history

 

Just an idea, shift down a gear or two at 70 mph, if nothing changes with vibration, you've eliminated the engine

 

i guess i believe this but how? slipping in and out of engagement/alignment because a mount is loose? when mine went bad along with the driveshaft they both just gave up completely.

 

And/Or put it in nuetral to determine if it is drive shaft.

 

Thanks all. I'm starting with the front rotors. while on the lift, i'll check the driveshaft coupler and carrier bearing. may replace those as well. Thanks for your input gkubrak. although it doesn't make me optimistic. same car same year same problem... i've replaced the suspension with poly bushings already. will look at other mounts.

 

When the bearing starts to fail, you get binding in spots as it rotates. That causes the driveline to torsionally load up and then unload as it frees up. That can cause the intermittent vibration. It can be very subtle at first, sort of like a really really light seat vibration that comes and goes.

The other failure point is the rubber isolator. As it ages, it can get weak in one area allowing the driveshaft to flex more in that direction. That also will cause the vibration.

A determining factor can be changing engine speed and not road speed, as already mentioned. Also, is the vibration felt in the seat or the steering wheel. If it’s seat, it’s rear end/driveline related (typically). If it’s steering wheel, it’s front end (typically).

 

Hello gentlemen, yes, i have the same problem in my 2004 xtype jag 3.0 gas.
The most amazing thing was that the problem appeared after changing the brake pads and fluids. At low speeds or at speeds above 70 miles, no vibration, but in the 40 to 55 mph range, it looks like the car is going to disintegrate.
A curiosity: When I put the gearshift on "N", the vibration persists until the speed drops to the point where nothing happens (less than 40 mph).
New tires, revised wheel, wheels balance ok and drive axle (cardan in my lenguage) revised and electronically balanced.
None of that solved. To make things worse, sometimes I go out on the highway and the problem doesn't show up for miles and miles and suddenly.... vruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Another curiosity. I notice that the car's wheels get very hot afther driving, like the car was running with the brakes lightly applied... Have any of you seen this on your xtypes?
Tks for your help!

 

today I took my car to the change the stabilizer bar rods. When we raised the car, I noticed that one of the wheels was held by the brake system. we started the car and accelerated it suspended and the vibration appeared quickly. Bingo......my car's problem 99% may be related to the master cylinder or abs. We're checking it out. When we bled the system, the wheels came loose and were free. As soon as we finish maintenance, I inform colleagues about the results.