French Vibrator

[Guest greenfly]

Just back from a week travelling in France - where the old Gal (99 Tdi) suffered unusually heavy vibrations on the autoroute at 75/85 mph. Had just fitted a new set of tyres (Avon ZV3 reinforced - anyone used them?) so suspected that perhaps the balance wasn't done well. But on return to UK roads, the vibes have gone (well, back to normal).

 

Anyone experienced this? Is it a sign of something amis with the front end??

[Guest j_mchattie]

Might just be dodgey roads.

 

They may have incorporated strips into the road that vibrate the car when over the speedlimit?

 

Was is a rumble? or a shake?

[Guest greenfly]

Thanks for the response.

 

Don't think it was fancy french speed ripples - given the number of vehicles going way faster than we were with no signs of rattling teeth from the drivers.

 

More a shake than a wobble - definitely sending pretty heavy vibrations through the structure, whether on load or not.

 

I'll get the balance checked again. Any chance it could be tracking? Or drop links gone?

[Guest j_mchattie]

My drop links didnt affect the 'rattle' of the car. They just knocked. I know its a different car, but the principle is the same.

 

Perhaps a temporary ignition problem? Glow plug not getting hot enough in a cold cylinder? Moisture? injector problem?

 

If the trouble has gone, hey ho.

 

that wasnt a lot of help was it......

[Guest greenfly]

:angry: hey ho

 

ah well, a problem shared

 

thanks for the moral support anyway!

[italiastar]

Odd as I normally find french roads much smoother. I did have a problem with my spacewagon after it had new tyres fitted in the UK - it suffered wheel wobble between 80 and 85 MPH - exactly the speed I normally drive in France - didn't notice in the UK as I never went much about 70 - this could be your problem.

 

I got my wheels checked in france and they balanced them spot on! when I got back to the uk I went to the tyre dealer and they took them off to check them - they said they were out - I refused to let them change the weights as I said the car was spot-on - proof that their balance equipment was out! - I got them to pay for the French bill.

[Guest paule230]

Having just got back from travelling to the S/France and having travelled there alot I can state thate their auto routes are unbelievably smooth. I have never encountered these"speed strips" that have been mentioned :( .

 

I think that because our roads are just so cr@p we dont realise small vibrations as we drive along. Its only when we drive on a better smoother fast auto route that you notice all these little things.

 

If ever anyone is toying with the idea of having a drive to France I say go and do it, I was so worried about it the first time then after about 15 mins I settled in and started enjoying a smooth fast drive on autoroutes that were very empty. Also over there they have 2 speed limits; 110kph when its raining and 130kph when its dry, brilliant I say. Why cant we have such a simple idea over here??

[jkspoff]

Also over there they have 2 speed limits; 110kph when its raining and 130kph when its dry, brilliant I say. Why cant we have such a simple idea over here??

Because British motorways are too over crowded due to a poor public transport network also the poor driving standards of British motorists, it would be chaos !