At this point in the diagnosis, the vibration has gone
through the following analysis:
• | The vibration has been duplicated. |
• | The vibration has been designated as abnormal. |
• | The vibration has been related either to engine speed or to vehicle
speed. |
• | The vibration has been assigned a frequency from the Smart Electronic
Vibration Analyzer (Smart EVA) or identified based on its feel or its sound. |
Automotive vibrations are usually related to the rotating speed of a
component. Calculate the speed of these components using either an engine
speed method or a vehicle speed method. Use the engine RPM readings taken
during the road test in order to diagnose the vibrations that are sensitive
to engine speed.
If the vibration is sensitive to vehicle speed, determine the rotational
speed of the tires. As long as you operate the vehicle at a constant speed,
the tires will operate at a constant speed. This speed is measured in rotations,
or cycles per second. The reading is then compared to the frequency of the
vibration, which is also measured in cycles per second.
Calculating Tire Rotation
The Smart EVA program is designed to perform targeted frequency calculations
on a suspected vibration source. The tire size, axle ratio, number of cylinders,
vehicle speed and engine rpm are factored into a calculation that determines
the predominant vibration frequency, amplitude and the suspected vehicle
system producing the vibration.
- Use the Smart EVA to determine the speed at which the vibration
occurs.
- From the main menu, select Auto Mode, then click enter; select
Vehicle Speed, then click enter.
- Enter the vehicle tire size information with one of three options:
• | RPS at 5 mph -- Refer to the Tire/Speed table below for the
Hertz value at 8 km/h (5 mph) for that tire size. |
• | Database -- Select the tire type and tire size from each
selection screen. Tip: when browsing the tire size or axle ratio list, press
a number key to go to a related point in the list; for example, press 1 to
go to the top of the list; press 4 or 5 to go to the middle of the list;
press 9 to go to the bottom of the list. |
• | Manual Entry -- Select Manual Entry when the vehicle is fitted
with speciality tires. Enter the tire width (100-500 mm), aspect ratio
(0.30-1.50) and rim diameter (10.00-25.00 in). |
- Enter the driveshaft configuration.
- Enter the axle ratio, refer to the Axle Ratio table below,(2.00-9.00)
from the Axle Ratio selection screen. Note: Axle Ratio is not applicable if
front wheel drive (FWD) is selected.
- Select the vehicle speed units in miles-per-hour (MPH) or Kilometers-per-hour
(KPH).
- Enter the vehicle speed at which the vibration is felt.
- As the test is run, the vehicle speed must be manually adjusted
to match the actual vehicle speed:
• | Select the incremental step you want to increase/decrease vehicle
speed, then click enter. |
• | View the frequency ranges applicable for the speed selected, press
enter to go to the active data screen or exit to go back and reselect the
speed if you are not within a valid range. |
• | Click the up or the down key to adjust the on-screen vehicle speed
on the live data screen to match the actual vehicle speed. |
- Data is displayed as averaged (A is displayed) or instantaneous
(I is displayed). Press key 8 to toggle. The amplitudes of the vibrations
detected are displayed in descending order beginning with line 2. Repair
the strongest vibration first. One to three sources of vibration are identified:
• | TIRE 1,2,3 or 4 (1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th order tire/wheel system
concern). |
• | PROP 1 or 2 (Propshaft concern). |
• | OVERLAP (overlap of Tire 3 and Prop 1 frequencies). |
• | UNKNOWN (vibration source is unknown). |
- Data is received through input A (A is displayed) or B (B is displayed).
Press key 4 to toggle.
- The vehicle speed (V) is displayed in mph or kph. Press the down
or up key to manually adjust this figure to match actual vehicle speed.
- An identification letter symbol displays during record (R) or
playback (P).
- During record or playback the event and frame numbers are displayed.
If an event is not selected, a "?" appears. During record or playback
the frame number cycles from 0 to 9; for example, 0:0, 0:1, 0:2...0:9.
- Amplitude of the signal is displayed in number of G forces (G).
Steering and Suspension Assembly Vibrations
Steering and suspension assembly vibrations are the first level of testing
for low-frequency vibrations that are sensitive to vehicle speed. The symptoms
of a steering/suspension first-order vibration are a shimmy or a shake.
This is usually felt in the steering wheel or in the seat. Inspect the following
components for wear or damage:
• | The steering tie rod ends. |
• | The suspension ball joints. |
• | The brake rotors (vehicle-speed sensitive). |
• | The engine (engine-speed sensitive). |