Vibrating drive shaft, or?

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per - 26 Apr 2005 16:59 GMT

My Focus Estate 2 litre has done close to 120 000 km. Recently I notice
quite a heavy vibration when accelerating between 80 and 100 km/h.
Seems this vibration frequency is not depending on engine rpms since it
seems to have it's frequency related to vehicle speed more than enginge
speed. Lower gear and more power/torque produces more of the same
vibrations. And frequency is about the same as skewed brake disks, so...
Constant speed runs fine so far. Engine accelerates swiftly up to the cut
out rpm without problems.
What do you think, have you experienced anything like this?
Could it be the cv joints maybe, but there is no sound or noice even when
turning full stop to both sides and driving round round?
Or could it be the inner joints possibly?
Also, there is no difference with either winter tires or the new summer
tires I just put on.
/per

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Dave Gower - 27 Apr 2005 21:59 GMT

>... Recently I notice quite a heavy vibration when accelerating between 80
>and 100 km/h.... Constant speed runs fine so far.

If this happens only on acceleration and not at a steady speed, and only at
these speeds, I'd wonder about loose engine mounts, exhaust /manifold
connection, or something in the exhaust system. Is it only a vibration, or
is there any noticeable noise with it? How about on the over-run? If you
gear down at those speeds does it also do it? Does it change if you are on
smooth or bumpy roads?

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per - 28 Apr 2005 07:04 GMT

It's a vibration, or rather a strong shaking.
When I change down, the shaking gets more violent, more of the same, not
more of higher frequency.
Nothing extra from bumpy roads.
/per

>>... Recently I notice quite a heavy vibration when accelerating between 80
>>and 100 km/h.... Constant speed runs fine so far.
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> gear down at those speeds does it also do it? Does it change if you are on
> smooth or bumpy roads?

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Dave Gower - 28 Apr 2005 18:11 GMT

> It's a vibration, or rather a strong shaking.
> When I change down, the shaking gets more violent, more of the same, not
> more of higher frequency.
> Nothing extra from bumpy roads.

Yikes. Sounds scary. I'd try to get a good technician to ride with me then
put it on a hoist for a thorough check of motor and transmission mounts and
the front suspension.

Two things for sure, it's not normal and doesn't sound healthy. Let us know
what you find. Good luck.

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per - 01 May 2005 21:03 GMT

Hello,
The service garage did not even have to check it out when they heard my
description. It's the drive shafts, he said, probably the longer, right one,
quite common past 100.000 km! The car will be in for a fix, this week.

A Swedish newspaper has an online article about buying a second hand Focus.
http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/bil/story/0,2789,617995,00.html
The Focus gets pretty good notes, but here are the common faults to look out
for:

Rear disc brakes seized.
Rear wheel bearings.
Bad heating system.
Problems with doors.
Petrol meter misreads.
Clattering anti roll stabilizer drop links.
And finally: Warped drive shafts give vibrations!

Seems the forgot the very common rust in door seams.

/per

>> It's a vibration, or rather a strong shaking.
>> When I change down, the shaking gets more violent, more of the same, not
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Two things for sure, it's not normal and doesn't sound healthy. Let us
> know what you find. Good luck.

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per - 02 May 2005 16:04 GMT

Yes, it was the drive shaft, and now it's exchanged and the vibrations are
gone.
/per

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