GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2009 🢒 HHR 🢒 Preface 🢒 Dangers, Warnings, and Cautions 🢒 Vibration Analysis - Hub and/or Axle Input

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table:

  1. This test will determine the effect of turning input on the vibration.

    2.

  2. This test will determine the effect of an initial heavy torque load on the vibration.

    3.

  3. Damaged or worn wheel drive shafts may cause a noise or vibration that may be transferred into the passenger compartment.

    4.

  4. Damaged or worn wheel bearings may cause a noise or vibration that may be transferred into the passenger compartment.

    5.

  5. Damaged or worn suspension components may cause a noise or vibration that may be transferred into the passenger compartment.

    6.

  6. Damaged or worn powertrain mounts and/or exhaust mounts may cause a noise or vibration that may be transferred into the passenger compartment.

    7.

  7. Incorrect trim height may cause binding and/or interference between components that may produce a vibration.

Step

Action

Yes

No

Warning: Refer to Road Test Warning in the Preface section.

 

1

Has the Vibration Analysis - Road Testing table been completed?

Go to Step 2

Go to Vibration Analysis - Road Testing

2

  1. Operate the vehicle at the speed of the vibration concern.
  2. While maintaining the concern speed, drive the vehicle through slow, sweeping turns - first in one direction, then in the other direction.
  3. Observe the vehicle for changes in the vibration disturbance.
  4. Select a smooth, level surface, such as an empty parking lot or a remote road.
  5. While maintaining the vehicle at the concern speed if possible, drive the vehicle through sharp turns; 360 degrees - first in one direction, then in the other direction.
  6. Observe the vehicle for changes in the vibration disturbance.

Did the characteristics of the vibration change significantly--become worse or go away--during these steps?

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 6

3

Did you hear a clicking noise and/or feel a shudder during these steps?

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 4

4

Did you hear a growling noise during these steps?

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 5

5

Did you hear a popping noise during these steps?

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 12

6

  1. With the vehicle at a stand-still, apply the regular brake and place the transmission in the lowest forward gear.

    2. Note: Do not accelerate to the point of causing the drive wheels to squeal, slip or hop--this would obscure the results of the test.

  2. Release the regular brakes and accelerate aggressively to 32 km/h (20 mph).
  3. Observe the vehicle for changes in the vibration disturbance.

Did you feel a shudder or shaking during these steps?

Go to Step 7

Go to Vibration Diagnostic Aids

7

  1. Inspect the wheel drive shafts, if equipped, for damage, abnormal and/or excessive wear.
  2. If the inspection indicated that a wheel drive shaft is damaged, abnormally and/or excessively worn, replace the shaft.

Did you find and correct a condition?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 9

8

  1. Inspect the wheel bearings for wear and/or damage.
  2. Replace any of the wheel bearings found to be worn and/or damaged.

Did you find and correct a condition?

Go to Step 12

Go to Vibration Diagnostic Aids

9

  1. Inspect the following suspension components for wear, damage, looseness and/or possible contact with other vehicle components:
    2. • Struts/shock absorbers
    • Springs
    • Bushings
    • Insulators
  2. Replace any of the suspension components found to be worn, damaged, loose and/or contacting other vehicle components.

Did you find and correct a condition?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 10

10

  1. Inspect the powertrain mounts--engine, transmission, transfer case, and direct-mount differential, if equipped--and any powertrain braces for the following conditions:
    2. • Loose and/or missing fasteners
    • Improper alignment
    • Cracked, dry-rotted, and/or oil-soaked insulators
    • Twisted, broken, torn, and/or collapsed insulators
    • Bent, twisted, and/or deformed brackets
  2. Replace powertrain mounts as necessary.
  3. Inspect the exhaust system components for the following:
    4. • Loose and/or missing fasteners
       - Heat Shields
       - Joints and/or couplings:
       - Nuts, bolts, studs, clamps, straps
       - Bracket and/or insulator mounting
    • Inadequate clearance to body and/or chassis components
    • Inspect with the exhaust system both COLD and HOT; in NEUTRAL, FORWARD and REVERSE gears
    • Improper alignment
    • Disconnected and/or missing insulators
    • Cracked, dry-rotted, and/or oil-soaked insulators
    • Stretched, twisted, broken, torn, and/or collapsed insulators
    • Bent, twisted, cracked, and/or deformed brackets
  4. Repair, replace, and/or realign exhaust system components as necessary.

Did you find and correct a condition?

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 11

11

Inspect the vehicle trim height and adjust as necessary. Refer to Trim Height Inspection.

Did you find and correct a condition?

Go to Step 12

Go to Vibration Diagnostic Aids

12
  1. Install or connect any components that were removed or disconnected during diagnosis.
  2. Perform the Vibration Analysis - Road Testing table. Refer to Vibration Analysis - Road Testing.

Is the vibration still present?

Go to Step 2

System OK