Triumph Repair: Rear End, wheel speed, bump in the road

Question
Hello I have allot of vibration coming from the rear end of my TR7 1980 model. We replaced the drive shaft but that wasn't it. My mechanic seems to think it's coming from the rear end. Can you suggest on how to start taking care of this problem. where to get parts for this if it needs to be rebuilt, or where to find a used rear end if it comes to that,.





Thanks.

Answer
Hi Vic,

When I had a rear end vibration to fix I first road test to see what the vibration does. First is it vibrating at wheel speed or at more then wheel speed? If it is faster then wheel speed then it is still in the drive shaft. If it is wheel speed does it get worse at speed and you can drive faster and it tends to get better and if faster yet it goes back to vibrating worse again? If so it is a balance problem and most likely a wheel problem. If it is worse the faster you go and never smooths out, then most likely it is either a out of round wheel or tire or bent axle.

Next test is to just jack it up and see if you can duplicate the vibration. Then remove both wheels to see if it vibrates and finally switch with the front wheels.

Does the vibration change with load (acceleration) or deceleration? Change if you get it vibrating and make mild "S" turns on the road while it is vibrating?

Does it vibrate just after hitting a bump in the road? Did you jack it up and check for any free play in any part of the suspension?

If I did all of this it always lead me to the problem.

You are talking about a vibration not a noise, right?

Howard