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[Tigers] Drive line vibrations, prev Gen/Alt string

To: tigers@autox.team.net
Subject: [Tigers] Drive line vibrations, prev Gen/Alt string
From: Tom Hall <modtiger@comcast.net>
Date: Tue, 13 Nov 2007 20:05:41 -0800
>Speaking of which, what have you guys had out your toploader equipped
>tigers?  I've briefy had 100 out of mine but it was too loud and scary
>to keep it up for more than one overtaking move.  My shifter vibrates
>terribly over about 3000 rpm and 100mph is just over about 4000rpm I
>think.   Nothing like as relaxing as cruising at 155 on the limiter in
>the audi for 2 hours while the wife is sleeping - and that beast only
>has a mild 250hp!
>
>Is that vibration normal or has some previous owner messed up the
>mating of the trans to the bell housing?

It's not obvious from the copy I got who wrote this comment but it 
needs a complete response.  If you have drive line vibrations at 
speed you have a severe problem that needs attention.  Since I have 
worked on several Tigers with what I'll describe as drive shaft 
"explosions",  I am familiar with the physical consequences that such 
a failure produce.  They are caused by the physical failure of the 
U-joints and the whipping of the loose drive shaft in the tunnel 
area.  I've never met anyone that personally experienced one of the 
events but from the damage observed, I can only assume that they were 
frightening to be conservative.

In many cases, the drive shaft tunnel and floor area's in that area 
were displaced by upwards of 4 inches.  I've never seen one that 
broke through the sheet metal, but the damage was sure to cause what 
I'd say was your immediate attention and a change in underwear.

The first common culprit is loose bolts in the rear flange at the 
pinion.  Always check these bolts at least annually or whenever an 
unknown vibration is felt.  Loctite is your best friend to keep these 
bolts tight.  The second common culprit is failing U-joints.  These 
also need to be checked annually and changed as soon as any 
detectable looseness is observed.  The next most common vibration 
culprit is a drive shaft that has either lost it's a balance weight 
or was never properly balanced in the first place.  I've sold drive 
shafts to owners that had a pro built drive shaft that just wasn't up 
to snuff.  The Trans rear bushing can make this problem worse.  Pull 
the drive shaft bolts and try wiggling the output Yoke in the 
transmission.  If you can detect lateral movement, you need to 
determine if the bushing or the yoke  or both is worn and needs 
replacement.  Pulling the yoke and the attendant wear will normally 
tell you if that area needs attention.  And comparatively speaking, 
My 5 speed kit will give you a very similar soothing effect in your 
Tiger crusing at good freeway speeds in the range of 2000 RPM plus 
better gas mileage.


Tom Hall
ModTiger Engineering LLC
www.tigerengineering.net
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