dgc
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Post by dgc on Jul 24, 2010 16:11:57 GMT 2
Hi guys,
I recently bought a 1.7L 2000 model LN with 120 000kms on the clock. Thanks to this forum I was able to do a substancial amount of research before buying a LN. I'm happy with my newly acquired Liewe Genade but there are a few things that need to be sorted out. The body is in VERY good shape and no rust. The motor runs pretty quietly and doesn't smoke. The upholstery is also in good condition, although the dash is all cracked up. The vehicle recently received some attention in that both props were balanced, g/box mounts were replaced, intermediate shaft was aligned (I'm told) and the vehicle was serviced. Having said that, there is a heck of a shudder/vibration when under load (all gears). I can cruise in any gear at about 3500rpm without any vibration but as soon as I floor it there's a horrible vibration. The suspension also feels a bit "floaty" to me. Perhaps control arm/suspension bushes need to be replaced? There's a bit of play on the steering. Gearbox feels fine, it's got a slight whine but nothing more than my old 110 Landy had so I think it's just 4X4 drive-train whine. Doesn't jump out of any gears. It's rolling on a set of 205/70/15 tyres.
So, please can you guys help me out here...
1. Where can I take the vehicle to have the vibration diagnosed? 2. Is the steering box adjustable? 3. Where do I start resolving the "floaty" suspension problem?
Oh, there's one thing I don't like about this vehicle. It seems they tried to fit 3 pedals where there is only space for 2. I have big feet and I struggle a bit with the brake and clutch pedals being so close together and being so close to the g/box tunnel..
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Post by Ari Bezuidenhout on Jul 24, 2010 16:19:25 GMT 2
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Post by marius on Jul 24, 2010 17:35:42 GMT 2
Hi
I agree with Ari - your Niva is fine. One word of advice though - the Niva is not a racer - she doesn't want to be pushed like that. She will cruise very happily at 3500rpm for many years.
If she is drifting - it is too much play on the steering.
Regards Marius
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dgc
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Post by dgc on Jul 24, 2010 18:13:01 GMT 2
Hi Ari, thanks for the link to the tech section, looks like there is some good advice there, I'll read it thouroughly and see if I can sort out that vibration.
Hi Marius, thanks. Yeah, I understand. I was just seeing when the vibration occurs. It vibrates from pull away all the way throught the gears. When I get to cruising speed (80km/h, about 3500rpm in 4th gear) and stick to that speed there's no vibration. But, as I say, if I give it some gas or put the motor under load there's a vibration. I never expected this vehicle to be fast.
Thanks again.
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Hercules
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Lada - your peace of mind to take on the world's vast landscapes.
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Post by Hercules on Jul 24, 2010 18:13:35 GMT 2
Hi.
Welcome to the forum and it sound if you have a nice Lada. I agree the pedals is a bit close to each other as I have the same problem.
Regards.
Hercules
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Post by ronnie on Jul 24, 2010 18:19:19 GMT 2
Hi
Glad to see you have got a Lada and trust you have many enjoyable kms in it. Check through "technical" for your problems and if you don`t come right just ask. The floating sensation is a new one on me What make of tyre are you using? also check the bushing in the radius rods at the back.
Regards
Ronnie
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Post by marius on Jul 24, 2010 18:25:56 GMT 2
Ok - now I get it Have a look what the manual says...esp during low speed.
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spikes
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Post by spikes on Jul 24, 2010 18:38:12 GMT 2
Hi, and a warm welcome to the forum. I think Ronnie has very valid point with the radius rod bushes at the back. Are you running 16in rims or 15in? My Lada registers and correct according to GPS 80km/h at 3000rpm in 4th and 110 in 5th enjoy the Lada Regards Spikes
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dgc
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Post by dgc on Jul 24, 2010 18:40:18 GMT 2
Hi Hercules & Ronnie, thanks for the warm welcome. Ronnie, the best way to describe it would be to say there seem to be a bit of lateral movement in one of the diff's. Could be control arm bushes or one of the rods in the suspension. I'll adjust the steering box (after doing some reading) and then see if I can identify where the problem is. Thanks for the advice.
Marius, you're a champ, thanks. I'm sure it's the transfer box that's out of alignment.
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dgc
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Post by dgc on Jul 24, 2010 18:45:56 GMT 2
Hi spikes, thanks for the welcome. I'm running 15" wheels. 205/70/15. I haven't been over 85kph yet. I got up to 85kph just to check if 5th gear is okay (not jumping) but the suspension feels very unstable so I'll keep it at 80 for now that's fast enough for me in a Lada
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Post by ronnie on Jul 24, 2010 19:24:56 GMT 2
Hi You will find when your Lada is running nicely it is quite happy up to 120. I usually run at 100 to 110, but when I am pushed for time it handles Perfectly at 120 to 130. ;D. Depending on your tyre size i find mine checked with a GPS the spedo is 100% accurate , which is unusual. Regards Ronnie
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Hercules
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Post by Hercules on Jul 24, 2010 20:33:55 GMT 2
Hi DGC.
I also run 205/70x15 Tyres and some time ago the Lada was very loose on the road. I replaced the shocks and what a difference. I also got a slide vibration between 80 & 100 km/h which is coming from the rear propshaft and will be balance soon.
I travel everyday with the Lada and some days pushing her even over 140km/h with no problems. The best traveling speed I find is 115 to 120km/h with enough power for uphills in 5th gear.
Regards.
Hercules
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Post by danie on Jul 24, 2010 20:56:34 GMT 2
Hi DGC
Welcome to the forum. I also think you have managed to find a nice Lada.
Regarding the vibration from pull away until you reach cruising speed - I think you should also have a close look at the doughnut, as well as the Transferbox, gearbox, and engine mounting rubbers.
During acceleration there is more strain on the above mentioned components, and worn rubber components could easily cause vibration problems.
Hope you will manage to sort things out soon.........
Regards
Danie
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dgc
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Post by dgc on Jul 25, 2010 8:34:29 GMT 2
Thanks Ronnie, that's good to hear. I'd be very happy if I could run along the freeway at 110ish.
Thanks Hercules, I was considering having the shocks checked.
Thanks Danie, I will check all the mounting points to ensure they are in good condition.
Last night I put the TC in neutral and got the revs up to 3000 in 4th gear and didn't feel any vibration... But I don't want to turn this intro into a tech discussion so thanks for all your comments and I'll reply in the tech section when I have some news...
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Post by ronnie on Jul 25, 2010 10:19:02 GMT 2
Hi Hercules
I have also had mine at 140 but did not want to mention it as I am sure it must draw some comment from Danie ;D
Regards
Ronnie
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Hercules
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Post by Hercules on Jul 25, 2010 13:09:01 GMT 2
;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
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Post by danie on Jul 25, 2010 21:28:39 GMT 2
Hi Ronnie You are definately going to get an invitation to test drive my Lada - but unfortunately I will be sitting in the passenger seat.........I will just keep an eye on the speedo... ;D
Regards
Danie
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Post by ronnie on Jul 26, 2010 10:14:14 GMT 2
Hi Danie Blindfolded ;D I knew I could rely on you for a response Regards Ronnie
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Post by lada & korean parts on Jul 27, 2010 1:47:59 GMT 2
as Danie said,check flex coupling,if it's starting to split/go hard,that will cause vibration.
remember to make sure steering box is filled with grease.
buggered/soft shocks will cause floating as well,or even had it with customers car after they fitted cheap & nasty tyres.
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dgc
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Post by dgc on Jul 27, 2010 22:13:22 GMT 2
as Danie said,check flex coupling,if it's starting to split/go hard,that will cause vibration. remember to make sure steering box is filled with grease. buggered/soft shocks will cause floating as well,or even had it with customers car after they fitted cheap & nasty tyres. Hi Andrew, Aparently the doughnut was recently replaced by Jan at Centurion Lada, along with balacing the props and new UJ's. I used the "rev method" of aligning the TC and there seems to be less vibration now. But there is definately a vibration on the TC. If I put my hand on the gear lever while driving there's no vibration there, but if I put my hand on either the dif-lock or low/high lever then I get bad vibrations. A vibration/knock for every revolution of the intermediate shaft. Also a bad whine on the TC when it heats up a bit. I think I should drop the TC and check the bearings and also improve the TC mounting points on the body. The bolts that the TC mountings bolt onto aren't original, they're just some allen head screws that go through from under the seat rails (if that makes sense). I thought of replacing them and using some decent size washers too... The shocks feel okay and I have been told that they were tested and no problem was found.
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Post by danie on Jul 28, 2010 5:59:34 GMT 2
Hi DJC
This is not an attempt to try and knock Jan, but I think you better check things yourself.
My question is - if Jan did a proper job, why did you notice an improvement on the vibration only after you did the alignment yourself ?? If Jan did replace the doughnut, he obvously had to do the alignment as well. And it looks like he did't do the alignment at all !
In all fairness to Jan, another possibility is that he never replaced the doughnut before..........
Regards
Danie
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Post by lada & korean parts on Jul 28, 2010 8:46:55 GMT 2
mmmmmm,i thought i would leave it to one of you guys to mention that ;-)
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Post by marius on Jul 28, 2010 9:07:47 GMT 2
Afternoon Andy DGC - if you can physically see the vibration (backward and forward movement) on either the diff-lock or low/high lever - at high revs (try 2nd @ 3000-3500RPM) then your Intermediate shaft is running unbalanced. EDIT > You can also see this movement at idle or any other speed if its really bad. Leave the car in 2nd/neutral and go check underneath the car if the CV of the intermediate shaft is running smoothly. If not smooth - switch the car off and slide the TC either backward or forward. Tighten and check until the shaft is running smoothly. Some wine is not unusual - but go check the oil level in the TC. Judging by Ronnie's experience you should also check if the intermediate shaft has been greased properly. Let us know. Regards Marius
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Post by ronnie on Jul 28, 2010 9:51:45 GMT 2
hi dgc I don`t think you mountings are helping you. Piece of flat bar drilled to suit with 2 high tensile bolts through the holes and tack welded in place. Make sure the floor is flat then insert from inside and weld in place. At least now you know the mounting is correct. Check the c/v on the intermediate shaft as the so called rebuilt one by Jan on my Lada was siezed solid . Don`t take his word check your self. Regards Ronnie
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dgc
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Post by dgc on Jul 28, 2010 18:20:16 GMT 2
Hi Danie, thanks I intend going through everything myself. I'm learning Lada's as I go. I have never met Jan and therefore want to point out that I'm in no way trying to tarnish his name. However, I do like thing done right, so I have nothing to lose by going through everything myself. Thanks Marius, I'll do that and I'll check whether the shaft has been greased properly. Ronnie, do you read minds? I was thinking the exact same thing regarding a piece of flatbar and some high tensile bolts. I figure it will provide a more solid mounting point for the TC. Ultimately, it's a mechanical piece of machinery and there should be no reason why one can't eliminate vibrations, at least to an acceptable degree. Thanks gentlemen.
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Post by danie on Jul 29, 2010 5:49:40 GMT 2
Hi DGC If you remove the Transfer Box, don't forget to have a close look at the condition of the rubber Pilot Bush at the inside of the Transfer Box Flange (the Flange which is facing the Gearbox). That rubber bush might still look OK, but you should also take dimensions to see whether the Inside Diameter (ID) of the bush has not became too big. Regards Danie
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dgc
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Post by dgc on Jul 29, 2010 13:13:24 GMT 2
Hi Danie
Thanks I certainly will keep that in mind.
Oh, DGC are my initials, name's Douw.
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