[MR2] MR2 (MkII) Vibration Question

[mr2 at bagdon.com]

If it happens when it's cold, then it sounds to be heat-related. That 
could be anything... trim panel, exhauast shield, even the battery tray 
(is your battery secured correctly?).

Have fun with *this* one. :)

On Mon, 9 Mar 2009,  wrote:

> 3-10-09
> MR2 (MkII) Vibration Question
> 
> Hi Group,
> 
> Have been chasing down noises and vibrations in the '93 MkII N/A that are really getting me close to the end of my patience.  For weeks I've been tightening every heat shield nut and bolt I can get reach in the engine bay and passenger compartment, to try and stop a really nasty set of vibrations that occur at 3900-4000 RPM, in particular  when the vehicle is cold .  I've even pulled the seats, inside rear fire wall panels, storage console, seat belt retractors, and rear window trims , but still the noise persists.  The vibration seems to be emanating from the inside rear of the vehicle, almost from the glass area...but no amount of direct pressure or holding pressure on sheet metal, panels or glass itself helps.  Many years ago I had to deal with vibrations traveling up the shifter cables, by putting a slight twist in the cables at the shifter assembly.  The problem I'm currently dealing with occurs when the vehicle is cold and continues until operating temp is reached!  You can't hear it outside the vehicle, but inside it's really a pain.  In addition to tightening the engine bay heat shields, I've had the vehicle up on the rack and tapped and pinged everything that looks like it might want to resonate...nothing!  Tight as a drum.  Even having a neighbor hold the throttle at 3900 and listening outside the vehicle hasn't offered a clue.  Shifts from 4th to 5th are really where you can hear it...Anybody have any recent experience with this one?  One UK sight talked about hinge pin wear on the engine bay and rear trunk...anyone heard of this as a noise source?  Almost forgot, I finally had to replace the original rear brake pads and have the rotors turned .015 in.  (15 years, 50,100 miles) ...Front original pads and rotors still have about 15,000 miles to go and running strong!  
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Colin
> '93 MR2 N/A
> W / 50,100 original
> _______________________________________________
> MR2 Mailing List
> MR2 at mr2.com
> http://mr2.com/mailman/listinfo/mr2_mr2.com
>