do you get vibrations with your sliders?

[concretejungle]

So i made myself some sliders using George's design. THey are not touching anywhere on the body. THey don't touch the cats either; and they do work i've tested them. But, when they are on, i can feel a VERY SLIGHT vibration. I can't pinpoint where it's coming from, but i can feel it. And i know it's them cause when i take them off, the vibration is gone. Reading the posts on collectors editon (sorry todd, just using you as an example) todd mentioned he has a slight vibration after going with the cat back exhaust and sliders. He has the slee, i think, either way they were professionally made. So, my question to all you guys who have slee, hannah, or some other professionally made sliders; can you feel a slight vibration with them on?

 

[Arya Ebrahimi]

I would imagine that there's a good bit of flex in them seeing as how there is like a foot of unsupported load hanging off the mounting points. Also, they are hard mounted to the chassis which probably vibrates more than the body thanks to the body mounts. So I don't think it's unreasonable to think that they could vibrate. Is this something you only notice when going down the road? or when parked as well?

What about making a sort of bumpstop for the sliders that is in contact with the body when the sliders are at rest? It might be just enough to stop the vibration, and if done right might save the body from any damage on a REALLY HARD hit to the slider. Just an idea...

Ary

 

[concretejungle]

I would imagine that there's a good bit of flex in them seeing as how there is like a foot of unsupported load hanging off the mounting points. Also, they are hard mounted to the chassis which probably vibrates more than the body thanks to the body mounts. So I don't think it's unreasonable to think that they could vibrate. Is this something you only notice when going down the road? or when parked as well?

What about making a sort of bumpstop for the sliders that is in contact with the body when the sliders are at rest? It might be just enough to stop the vibration, and if done right might save the body from any damage on a REALLY HARD hit to the slider. Just an idea...

Ary

Ary, i only notice the vibration at a specific RPM range. Usually just as i start off and then it seems to go away.

As for the bumpstops, great idea. I have thought about this. I also have some adhesive backed foam padding that i might cut and stick to the back of the mounting feet, where the sliders mount on the frame to see if that stops it. But i like the bump stop idea.

 

[80cruiserscool]

I fabbed my own sliders a month ago and I do have the vibration problem as well!
I am not sure of how to get rid of it either?
mine are welded on so I cant pull them off as easliy as the bolt ons. I know one of the problems is i have a bracket on the PS that is a little close to the exhaust and occasionally I will torque the engine and the exhaust will rub the slider bracket a little. i am thinking about a djusting this bracket for sure. but the vibration is also an issue i need to address to be completely happy!
I will watch this question to see what everyone says
thanks
stephen

 

[Beowulf]

CJ,

I had vibrations for several months. Mostly outrigger to pinch weld contact. There was also some contact with the cat shield. It just took some time to get the kinks worked out and now, I either don't have vibrations or (more likely) I don't notice them.

-B-

 

[concretejungle]

B, are your sliders store bought, or did you fab them up?

 

[Kalawang]

The vibrations could probably be dampened with rubber washers, but I doubt they would last all that long. However, I have the idea that lead washers might be soft enough to work as a damper and hard enough to last a very long time. I suggest the lead washers used for tin roofing or in a pinch, you could make your own from sheet lead, though those might be too soft.


Kalawang

 

[Kaderabek]

Funny the timing on this, just sent this to Christo:


------ Forwarded Message
From: Todd Kaderabek <todd@larkbooks.com>
Date: Tue, 01 Feb 2005 14:46:43 -0500
To: Christo Slee <christo@sleeoffroad.com>
Subject: Vibrating

Christo,

Have you ever had anyone with a cat-back exhaust system say they had a pretty major vibration after installing your sliders on an 80? Curious, near as I can figure that's what's going on with mine. I have the slider notched and as far from the cats as I can get it, still just humming along when I accelerate. I checked everything else I could find under there, motor mounts and such, all look good and tight. I was thinking of having an exhaust shop cut and turn the cats to get them farther away from the slider. Or else maybe start charging lonely housewives for rides in my 80/vibrator. What do you think?

TJK

------ End of Forwarded Message

Not glad to hear that I'm not alone.

TJK

 

[concretejungle]

Todd, you are not alone. Plus, i wasn't sure if it was my booty fab skills or a legitimate concern. I have noticed that my cats are far enough away from the outrigger that i don't think it's that. also, my sliders are not touching the pinch weld or the body anywhere. I'm thinking that possibly, vibrations transfered to the frame from the motor are pretty much cancled from the rubber body mounts. But, when you add sliders, they are like two large speakers if you will. With long outriggers and the fact that they are made of steel, they multiply any vibration on the frame many fold.

 

[Kaderabek]

My take on it is that the sound created by the cat-back system is literally causing the slider to resonate. Slider is attached to the frame, good, good, good, good vibrations....

I think it's possible that rotating the cats could put enough distance between them and the slider that the resonance will stop. Then again I could end up with the bass solo from Big Bottom.

TJK

 

[wob]

Since the sliders are made from tubes, I don't think it would be unreasonable to assume that what y'all are experiencing is harmonics from the exhaust system. Ie, the exhaust resonates at the right frequency and the sliders amplify it.

How's that for a WIG? I think it makes sense, though. Especially if y'all only notice it in a certain rpm range.

 

[wob]

A minute too late, I see.

 

[e9999]

in general, if something vibrates, it is at its resonant frequency (where the vibration is naturally strongest). This is a strong function of mass etc. So, it may take only a small change to get rid of the vibration altogether, as in adding a weight some place, putting in a small reinforcement or some damper etc. Of course, this is exacerbated if the system is cantilevered as is the case with sliders...
Try to add a weight to the tube with Ubolts just to try and see?

 

[concretejungle]

I guess one way to finger that out is to remove one slider while keeping the slider on that is below the cats. See if it vibrates, then switch.........i'll try this weekend.

 

[Kaderabek]

I'm making the best of it, pretty much have Truckin' down by now, going to start working on some Gram Parsons tunes tonight.

TJK

 

[concretejungle]

Try to add a weight to the tube with Ubolts just to try and see?

Hope this doesn't sound stupid, but i made my sliders with box, not tube. Would that make a difference?

 

[concretejungle]

I'm making the best of it, pretty much have Truckin' down by now, going to start working on some Gram Parsons tunes tonight.

TJK

together, for a lesson in life.....just keep truckin' onnnnn..onnn!

 

[Kaderabek]

Try to add a weight to the tube with Ubolts just to try and see?

I did. My 300 # ex college roomate stood on them. No vibration. But he seemed reticent to stand there forever.

And I took the slider off, no vibration then.

/ E - / A - / B7 - / A - E - /

TJK

 

[Kaderabek]

together, for a lesson in life.....just keep truckin' onnnnn..onnn!

I believe that's "more or less in line."

TJK

 

[Kaderabek]

Hope this doesn't sound stupid, but i made my sliders with box, not tube. Would that make a difference?

Yeah, you're going to be more like a B sharp.

TJK