
3.2 ROAD TESTING
Because there are many reasons for a vibration condition to be present in a vehicle, it is vital that a thorough road
test be conducted, to eliminate other possible causes for a vibration condition being present.
TYRE AND WHEEL INSPECTION
This visual inspection should be conducted for all vibration complaints unless the disturbance only occurs with the
vehicle at a standstill.
• The tyres should be inspected for unusual wear, including cupping, flat spots and heel-and-toe wear. These
conditions can cause tyre growl, howl, slapping noises, and vibrations throughout the vehicle.
• Establish that all tyres are inflated to the correct pressures prior to any road test.
• Check for bulging in the sidewalls.
• Check all wheels for bent rim f langes. Many times, hubcaps or trim rings that appear dented can indicate a bent
wheel underneath.
SLOW ACCELERATION TEST
This test is to identify engine or vehicle speed related conditions. It will be necessary to perform additional tests in
order to determine in which category the vibration belongs.
1. On a smooth, level road, slowly accelerate up to highway speed.
2. Look for disturbances that match the customer's description.
3. Note the vehicle speed (km/h) and engine speed (rpm) where the disturbance occurs.
Follow this test with the neutral coast-down test, and the downshift test.
NEUTRAL COAST-DOWN TEST
1. On a smooth, level road, accelerate to a speed slightly higher than the speed at which the vibration occurs.
2. Shift the vehicle into NEUTRAL and coast down through the vibration range. Note if the vibration is present in
NEUTRAL.
If the vibration still occurs in NEUTRAL, it is definitely vehicle-speed sensitive. At this point, the engine and torque
converter have been eliminated as a cause. Depending on the symptoms or frequency, the repair will concentrate
on either the tyres and wheels, or the propshaft and rear axle.
DOWNSHIFT TEST
1. On a smooth, level road, accelerate to the speed at which the complaint vibration occurs. Note the engine rpm.
2. Next, decelerate and safely downshift to the next lower gear (from overdrive to drive, or from drive to second
gear).
3. Operate the vehicle at the previous engine rpm.
If the vibration returns at the same rpm, the engine or torque converter is the most probable cause. To confirm
these results, repeat this test in still lower gears, and in NEUTRAL.
STEERING INPUT TEST
This test is intended to determine how much wheel bearings and other suspension components contribute to a
vibration, especially those relating to noises, howl or growl, grinding and roaring.
• With the vehicle at the vibration s peed (km/h), drive thr ough s low sweeping turns – f irs t in one dir ection, then the
other.
• If the vibration either gets worse or goes away, the wheel bearings, hubs and tyre tread wear are all possible
causes.
STANDING START ACCELERATION
The purpose of this test is to duplicate a vibration called Take-off-Shudder. In some cases, a powertrain mount or
the exhaust contacting the body may also be suspect, depending on the symptoms.
1. With the vehicle at a complete stop and in gear, remove your foot from the brake.
2. Accelerate to 60 or 70 km/h while checking for vibrations that match the customer's description.
Shudder in the seat or steering wheel under these c onditions usually res ults from improper driveline angles. W orn,
tight or failed universal joints may also be a cause, and should be inspected first.
Grunting or groaning noises along with a buzzing or roughness in the floor usually points to the vibration being
conducted through the engine or transmission mounts, or through exhaust mounts and hangers that have
GROUNDED OUT. Refer to the respective Sections for rectification procedures.