Fiat Ducato 2007 Vibration

[Trotter]

Let’s get the vibrator puns out of the way early, then we can discuss the problem with my van.

At moderate to high speeds I’m getting a slight but steady vibration coming through the floor around the front wheel cover / accelerator/foot brake area. Nothing drastic, but once stopped, I can feel the effect of it in my leg during the night. Making it difficult to sleep.

According to internet, Ducato’s of this age need their drive shafts changing between 70k and 100k miles. Mine is around 82k. So bang in the middle.
Thing is, with my very limited mechanical knowledge, I wouldn’t know if what I’ve described above is indicative of my problem.

If anyone has experienced this before, with their own vehicle, I’d be happy to hear how you sorted it.

 

[wildebus]

One thing I would check is if the wheels are still balanced. A weight can easily fall off and the effect would be pretty much what you describe I would think.
Go to a tyre shop and ask them to check the balance.

 

[edina]

Had similar on my last van, mk2 master, felt as though it was coming from the front end, steering perhaps. Turned out to be os rear wheel bearing.

 

[saxonborg]

Maybe a flat spot on the tyre?

 

[Exwindsurfer]

Usually if it a tyre out of balance you get a shimmer on the steering wheel not the floor ?

 

[wildebus]

Usually if it a tyre out of balance you get a shimmer on the steering wheel not the floor ?

True.

But just imagine if you paid hundreds and hundreds of quid to get the drive shafts replaced and it turned out to be a 10p lead weight fallen off a wheel?
pays yer money and takes yer choice, as they say. I know what I would check first

 

[wildebus]

I remember spending ages crawling around my car inside and out trying to find a rattle that seemed to come from the passenger side behind me.
turned out to be a small piece of the front drivers side coil spring sitting in the suspension cup bouncing up and down.

 

[Trotter]

I’ll try to find a tyre place in the Benidorm area before moving on. Staying with friends atm. Hopefully it’s what Dave suggested. Wheels out of balance. Live in hope

 

[Traveller]

I suggest you crawl under the van and check the drive shaft CV joints for moved or split rubbers, turn steering full lock in both directions and check again at each position. Look for anything else around the area that could be vibrating whilst undeneath. best of luck

 

[Scotia]

Also check the support bearing for the drive shaft if it has one, i had a similar problem on my 508 Merc could not source the problem until it gave up. We were then restricted to 25mph anything above that and it went ballistic.

 

[Trotter]

Reckon messages from Traveller and Scotia, while welcome, can wait until the MOT when I get home. Tis only, ONLY .
A couple of thousand miles to go
I’ll try to explain the problem to the tyre fitter . Mechanic what ever

 

[trevskoda]

Also check the support bearing for the drive shaft if it has one, i had a similar problem on my 508 Merc could not source the problem until it gave up. We were then restricted to 25mph anything above that and it went ballistic.

Front wheel drive dont have centre bearing, my iveco does as rw drive same as merc.

 

[The laird]

Del don't rule out the wheel bearing mate.doesnt need to be noisy

 

[Trotter]

Del don't rule out the wheel bearing mate.doesnt need to be noisy

Ruling out nowt a Gordon. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Wully]

Dell I know this sounds daft but check the wheel nuts and give them a crack. I thought the drive shaft on one of my vans had packed in. Turns out I had a new tires fitted a week before and he dident tighten nuts properly two had actually sheered I couldn’t see it because of wheel cap. Hope it’s something stupid like that.

 

[St3v3]

I suppose if it's driveshafts (actually joints I suppose) it would be evident as play in the shaft in the up and down plane.

 

[Trotter]

Dell I know this sounds daft but check the wheel nuts and give them a crack. I thought the drive shaft on one of my vans had packed in. Turns out I had a new tires fitted a week before and he dident tighten nuts properly two had actually sheered I couldn’t see it because of wheel cap. Hope it’s something stupid like that.

Wheels are being balanced on Monday, so wheel nuts will, hopefully, be re-torqued correctly.
I was wondering if my driving position has been pinching a nerve in my leg. Because the “vibration “ is felt for hours, after driving. I’ve raised the seat, and will adjust the steering wheel and pedal length, once I move on. That’s not until the middle of next week.

 

[wildebus]

Wheels are being balanced on Monday, so wheel nuts will, hopefully, be re-torqued correctly.

I was wondering if my driving position has been pinching a nerve in my leg. Because the “vibration “ is felt for hours, after driving. I’ve raised the seat, and will adjust the steering wheel and pedal length, once I move on. That’s not until the middle of next week.

That could be it if you changed position? The daftest things can have a knock-on effect. I was looking for a new van back in 2012 and borrowed a brand new VITO from a Mercedes Dealer for a few days. Had around 200 miles of driving planned to see people so had to use it but it was the most uncomfortable van I have ever driven in terms of the clutch pedal height. My left knee was hurting after just 50 odd miles but had to carry on due to my schedule. by the time I returned it a couple of days later knee was killing me.

That vibration you are describing in your leg sound a bit like the "white finger" experienced in hands when using vibrating power tools like plate whackers (never used myself) or DAS Polishers for car valeting. I can't use a DAS for more than a few minutes due to the way it oscillates and creates that 'tingle' that stays for ages, so sympathise with you

 

[Trotter]

That could be it if you changed position? The daftest things can have a knock-on effect. I was looking for a new van back in 2012 and borrowed a brand new VITO from a Mercedes Dealer for a few days. Had around 200 miles of driving planned to see people so had to use it but it was the most uncomfortable van I have ever driven in terms of the clutch pedal height. My left knee was hurting after just 50 odd miles but had to carry on due to my schedule. by the time I returned it a couple of days later knee was killing me.

That vibration you are describing in your leg sound a bit like the "white finger" experienced in hands when using vibrating power tools like plate whackers (never used myself) or DAS Polishers for car valeting. I can't use a DAS for more than a few minutes due to the way it oscillates and creates that 'tingle' that stays for ages, so sympathise with you

I know it’s not a good thing to say, but I do believe that I’m more content, happy not being the correct word, in the van, than I am in the house. The fly in the ointment being this vibration thing.
One way or another I’ll sort it.

 

[Pudsey Bear]

That could be it if you changed position? The daftest things can have a knock-on effect. I was looking for a new van back in 2012 and borrowed a brand new VITO from a Mercedes Dealer for a few days. Had around 200 miles of driving planned to see people so had to use it but it was the most uncomfortable van I have ever driven in terms of the clutch pedal height. My left knee was hurting after just 50 odd miles but had to carry on due to my schedule. by the time I returned it a couple of days later knee was killing me.

That vibration you are describing in your leg sound a bit like the "white finger" experienced in hands when using vibrating power tools like plate whackers (never used myself) or DAS Polishers for car valeting. I can't use a DAS for more than a few minutes due to the way it oscillates and creates that 'tingle' that stays for ages, so sympathise with you

Same with hedge trimmers David, 5 minutes is enough, arms and hands shake for hours.