High Frequency Vibration in 2007 Puma

[Brid]

Just need some ideas from those more experienced than me. My Puma has a mild vibration which can be felt through the clutch pedal and gearstick under even light acceleration. It's high frequency (bit like you feel holding a brush cutter) and seems to track the engine revs. It's got a 1/4 million km on it.

Any thoughts? harmonic balancer? Gearbox input shaft? It's got a new clutch, but the vibration was before that.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Tyres!

[gusthedog]

Uni joint in the prop shaft on its way out?

[Toxic_Avenger]

Does it happen when accelerating without movement?
I've had a similar noise in a different car which turned out being the AC idler pulley being on its way out.

For noises like this, I have 3 tips:
1) get a mechanics stethoscope (or the solid tang screwdriver placed against ear) and probe engine components to find the source of the noise.
2) do some driving alongside a wall (such as along a concrete road work barrier etc) to bounce sound back at you. try different speeds, different sides of the car, and different gears (revs) to find what is happening.
3) get a mate on the road and do a few drive by runs. pinpoint noise that way.

Some mechanics will have listening devices and earphones which they magnet to different suspension components etc, but above will give you a left / right or engine rev / wheel speed idea of what's going on.

For suspension issues, just get a rubber mallet and tap things under there until you hear a noise which doesn't sound right (metal on metal, where there should be a bushing etc).

[Brid]

Thanks guys
Pretty sure it's engine related as I can detect it stationery as well, when revving the engine.
Mind you it it's minor, but high frequency. Don't feel it through the car...only clutch, accelerator and gear stick. It might be just that I'm too anal.

Can any other puma owners detect anything similar...like a high speed massage on your clutch foot? Maybe it's normal and I was never aware of it until more recently.

[dullbird]

this could be a long shot but check you haven't lost your bolt out of your turbo shield...

in the early days they used to come lose and fall out causing the shield to rattle.

[Brid]

Hi Dullbird
I do have a rattle from the shroud, but this has a more mechanical feel to me.