So I took the chance with the long weekend to get my lowering springs and exhaust installed. Needless to say, everything went surprisingly smooth (for a change).

Also removed the stock battery box and relocated the battery to the trunk. Just installed a piece of sheet metal to cover the hole.

BUT I'm now getting, what to me, feels like a driveline vibration. But I am by no means for sure on this. So here's the scenario and I'll let you guys chime in on what you think. First and foremost, I feel like I've gone through 100 posts about similar issues but none match completely.

So the vibration seems to come from beneath the driver's seat and kinda reverbirates throughtout the car. It is not present at all or BARELY noticible in 1st gear. But after shifting to second the vibration starts as soon as I start to accelerate. The harder I accelerate, the worse it gets. It stays through 3rd and 4th under accelration, but then seems to diminish once I get to 5th and 6th. It seems much worse when I am in lower RPM's. If I press the clutch in, the vibration stops immediately. The vibration isnt present in reverse. Steering wheel does NOT shake while the vibration is happening.

I have listened for noise from the drive axles, both turning left and right at low speeds, but I dont hear anything out of the ordinary. Checked the motor for excess play, but it seems tight.

So with all that being said, where should i start? Am I off base by thinking this is a driveline issue? Or could this be a wheel/wheel bearing issue?

ALSO, I did have new rims installed about 2 months ago, and before I installed my lowering springs this weekend I had developed a vibration above 65 (steering wheel shakes), but seemed to stop around 80-90. Well, now that vibration is gone and the above has started.

 

I am assuming that you didn't disconnect any driveline parts. So, is it maybe the exhaust that is loose a little bit. Maybe vibrates/shakes under acceleration?

 

Nothing on the driveline was disconnected. I dont think it is the exhaust because I can leave the car in neutral and rev the motor and I dont get any vibration. Maybe I'm wrong?

 

Well when it is in neutral and you rev it there is no load on the engine. You say it happens when you get on the gas so it means it needs to have a load on it. I'm just throwing it out there man, takes a couple minutes to jack up the car and give all a once over. Good luck!!

 

Yes, I'm thinking its something to do with one of your exhaust hangers. The rear ones can be installed inside down by accident. Are your exhaust tips coming out of your rear bumper evenly and centered?

 

Upside down not inside. Sorry

 

This is probably a stupid thing to think but have you looked at the crank pulley and the engine mounts?

 

So you guys have semi-convinced me its an exhaust issue. Let me elaborate.

So the exhaust is straight back now. Straight from the cat, stock pipe to the bend, where I ran a flex pipe straight back to a DC Sports muffler. Now heres what i think could be causing the vibration....connecting the flex from the stock pipe to the muffler are two U clamps. The exhaust sits almost against the bottom of the car, so could this be hitting the frame and causing the vibration?

 

Yes, that's what it sounds like to me. Your exhaust must be vibrating against the body or frame somewhere.