Vibration at stop lights

[alphaeighteen]

Sometimes my car will vibrate at the stop lights. Happens probably around 90% of the time. However I noticed that if I shift into neutral the vibration would go away. What could it be? Worn input shaft on the transmission?

When I drive the vibration either goes away or is less noticable because I'm driving...

 

[WCBlueSky]

Motor mounts?

 

[alphaeighteen]

Motor mounts?

Would that be the case even if it doesn't vibrate in neutral?

 

[leonard_nemoy]

Yes motor mounts would vibrate more in drive than neutral. Also exhaust rattles and vibrations will do the same thing.

When your in neutral the motor isn't applying any torque to the motor mounts or exhaust like it does in drive.

My aftermarket exhaust kisses my frame where it was routed over the frame and it gives me a very annoying rattle at stop lights in drive but goes away in neutral or park.

Pull your rig perpendicular to a curb with both your front tires touching the curb. Than stand on your brakes with the rig in drive and bring the rpm's up to the 1,500 - 2,000 range. While your doing this have a helper STAND ON EITHER SIDE of the engine bay and watch your motor mounts for movement. If they are loose or worn out the movement will be visually noticeable with this method.

If the mounts check out than give your exhaust a good inspection.

 

[LINUS]

Would that be the case even if it doesn't vibrate in neutral?

Sure.

30yr old rubber, generally coated in oil.

 

[LINUS]

I did mine ~4yrs ago.

All the susp bushes & rubber that is functional has had ozone damage.

 

[BILT4ME]

Spark plugs
Spark plug wires
Distributor cap
Rotor
Injectors
Fuel pressure

All can cause a vibration at idle due to slight variances in operation. This can feel like a vibration and it goes away under load.

The other things listed above are where the vibrations are transmitted, so all of it working together makes a difference.

 

[alphaeighteen]

Thanks everyone. I did do most of the above items stated and did Jons full 3fe tune up. I did notice that when I swapped my exhaust out from a local donor here in CA to get it sniffed I did not have any exhaust hangers to bolt it.

The only place where my exhaust is attached is at the exhaust manifold and where the muffler has a hanger to the frame. Is there somewhere I can find the rest of the exhaust hanger parts?

 

[thatcabledude]

Check your motor mounts. Specifically the driver side.

 

[lumbee1]

I've had vibrations while stopped for years. The last time I searched for a solution on MUD, most folks said it was normal. When I first noticed it, I thought it was the motor mounts as well. I'm glad to know that it's the motor mounts since mine are 26 years old and are in desperate need of replacing.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

Thanks everyone. I did do most of the above items stated and did Jons full 3fe tune up. I did notice that when I swapped my exhaust out from a local donor here in CA to get it sniffed I did not have any exhaust hangers to bolt it.

The only place where my exhaust is attached is at the exhaust manifold and where the muffler has a hanger to the frame. Is there somewhere I can find the rest of the exhaust hanger parts?

Sounds like you found the vibration culprit. Just take it to any exhaust shop and they can throw some more hangers on the rig. Tell them the exhaust rattles and they might even fix that part also.

 

[thegadgetguy]

I had this for years and it bugged me so much - it was the motor mounts. Both were broken. It also manifested in the exhaust vibrating excessively, because the motor wasn't held securely by the mounts.

 

[flintknapper]

I had this for years and it bugged me so much - it was the motor mounts. Both were broken. It also manifested in the exhaust vibrating excessively, because the motor wasn't held securely by the mounts.

Same for me...chased a vibration at idle forever and never could find it until I did the motor mounts. Mine would smooth out as soon as the rpm came off idle (in park or neutral) or if in drive as soon as any torque was applied which caused me to think motor mounts.

May not be the cause of the OP's vibration....but its a sure bet the drivers side mount is in need of replacement by now.

 

[alphaeighteen]

Same for me...chased a vibration at idle forever and never could find it until I did the motor mounts. Mine would smooth out as soon as the rpm came off idle (in park or neutral) or if in drive as soon as any torque was applied which caused me to think motor mounts.

May not be the cause of the OP's vibration....but its a sure bet the drivers side mount is in need of replacement by now.

View attachment 2665147View attachment 2665148

Most likely I need to replace my motor mounts as well, but haven't looked into it. I heard that you can just jack up the motor (not by the oil pan) and just replace them?
Is it really that easy?

 

[flintknapper]

Most likely I need to replace my motor mounts as well, but haven't looked into it. I heard that you can just jack up the motor (not by the oil pan) and just replace them?
Is it really that easy?

Negative.

If your experience will be anything like mine.

 

[bicycleagent003]

The motor mounts are kind of a pain. You have to get the motor lifted up at least 1.5", I'd say. And then getting your fingers in there to replace them - it's kind of harrowing.
Search for some threads. It's not really a job for the faint of heart, but it's not technical or difficult either. I just felt like it was kind of dangerous.

 

[alphaeighteen]

The motor mounts are kind of a pain. You have to get the motor lifted up at least 1.5", I'd say. And then getting your fingers in there to replace them - it's kind of harrowing.
Search for some threads. It's not really a job for the faint of heart, but it's not technical or difficult either. I just felt like it was kind of dangerous.

Yea I'd think sticking my fingers in there is kinda scary if the jack and or jack stands fail.... Haha

 

[Kernal]

One other option if it hasn't been discussed yet. With original/old exhaust system hangers (Isolators) the rubber block can crack horizontally and separate but due to the design of the brackets (sorta like interlocking L's vertically) the system doesn't fall down, but it can vibrate as the OP describes. IME.

 

[bicycleagent003]

One other option if it hasn't been discussed yet. With original/old exhaust system hangers (Isolators) the rubber block can crack horizontally and separate but due to the design of the brackets (sorta like interlocking L's vertically) the system doesn't fall down, but it can vibrate as the OP describes. IME.

Agreed. The easy way to check them is to apply upward pressure below the mount. If the exhaust cushion has failed, it will lift up and you'll see that the rubber has separated. They're easy and cheap (about $30) to replace. Be prepared for the 4 little nuts to be gonzo - you'll need to replace those as the ones you take off will likely be toast. Just pick up nuts and washers by taking the exhaust cushion to a hardware store for sizing prior to removing the old ones. Or I suppose you could buy the nuts from Toyota, too.

 

[graham5david]

My solution was to install a better sound system and crank it up.