Transit 230 1996 lwb vibration at speed

[trigger]

If there's a whining noise coming from the back it means you forgot to drop the mother in law off

[alexthecheese]

prop bearings sound ok (we are talking about the bits that go round the propshaft and connect it to the chassis)

First thing I would do is systematically swap the wheels for the spare and see if it makes any difference! How bad is the vibration? I would say there is a good chance a wheel weight has fallen off!

How much play should there be in the bearings? I was surprised that there was quite a bit more in the back one than there was in the front.

The vibration is pretty bad, not really bad, just a fair bit I guess. Enough to be much noisier than if I were going 10mph slow, say. It's quite hard to explain, but it's there you know? It's also quite hard to work out where it's coming from, as it seems to just come from the floor in general.

I could try doing the wheels, that's a good idea. Maybe that's just it? I started with the prop cos the guy said it needed to be balanced.

[MinorMatt]

The prop could well need to be balanced - but elimate the simple/free stuff first! As each wheel comes off give it a good look over for any damage

If you do need to get it balanced get the center bearings renewed at the same time (might as well when the prop is off etc)

With new prop center bearings I can move the propshaft about 10mm in any direction fairly easily

[alexthecheese]

The prop could well need to be balanced - but elimate the simple/free stuff first! As each wheel comes off give it a good look over for any damage

If you do need to get it balanced get the center bearings renewed at the same time (might as well when the prop is off etc)

With new prop center bearings I can move the propshaft about 10mm in any direction fairly easily

Will do.

I rang Reco Prop earlier, who quoted me between £80-120 + VAT for the prop to be balanced. Being stupid, I didn't realise that I had to take the prop OFF the vehicle to get it balanced. I thought they'd do that.

Is it something easy to do? Will get my mate to help do it (if it needs doing), but is it something that can be done on a large driveway? Or do I have to jack it up to get it off (that sounds dodgy!!)?

[MinorMatt]

if you can fit underneath you can take it off without jacking.

4 bolts at each end (use a Torx bit T50 I think) and 2 bolts holding each center bearing on (T25 I think)

But when its all off have a good look at the center bearings, if they feel even slightly rough or the rubber looks perished get them replaced.