Vibration in my '92

Hi:

I have a low mileage '92 and I wanted some opinions on whether or not something is wrong or normal. The car is a coupe and I took off the targa top for the first time this weekend. I immediately noticed a vibration in the car especially the drivers side. I was wondering if the removal of the top could cause enough frame flex that it would cause a vibration in the suspension?? Anyone else experience this? The car had been sitting for about two weeks and at first I thought it was the tires but that wasn't it. Thanks for any info or feedback.

markone

[Hib Halverson]

If you took off the roof and felt a vibration you did not feel before, there probably is trouble somewhere. Taking the roof off lowers the car's frequencies in bending and torsion. My guess is you need to have your tires balanced.

Try that first.

Thanks for the tip, I'll have them checked.

markone.

[Vettefan87]

Did it vibrate more at higher speeds, did it fluctuate any?

No, actually, it was worse over rough roads and not noticable on smooth roads. It was almost as if the frame were flexing quite a bit. The tire thing didn't occur to me because i had virtually no vibration prior to removing the top.

markone

[Tuna]

Originally Posted by markone

It was almost as if the frame were flexing quite a bit.
markone

I have never liked the way my 92 feels with the roof off! It feels like the front and rear are not connected. Without the roof on, the frame does flex - a lot. Rough roads make it feel like it is doing the hula from both ends and neither are synchronized.

Maybe you and I notice this more than others. The only time my roof is off is during parades then it goes back on at the end of the parade.

The C5 is a whole different story.

[jmccloud]

My '95 is solid as a rock with the top on. Shakes like a warm milk shake full of ball bearings with the top off. Twists all over the place.
I have a '68 Camaro conv. that's much sturdier than the Corvette with the targa top off.
Perhaps that's why the after-market stiffeners sell???

Try this, 60-70MPH on a good smooth road,Both with and without the top on.Should be nearly the same!!!!! EVERY C4 i have ever driven with the top off had some amount of COWL-SHAKE!!!!!!! This would be a normal condition!!!! If you have a large change in the way the car goes with the top off,check the tires & re-balance them!!!!!! Good Luck!!! Paul

Tuna:

Thanks, you hit it right on the head, I couldn't have described it more accurately! Geez, I was looking at a '90 drop top and it was fine with the top down, I guess all that extra frame stiffening really does work. Well, my next one will be a 'vert for sure. Thanks for the message.

markone

Thanks, looks like I've discovered the C4 dirty little secret the hard way...top off looks great and lets the sun in but drives like a rattle box. My top is back on and will stay there!

markone

drags:

I've driven over smooth roads with both on and off and the problem is minimal, it only gets bad on bumby or rough roads...'nuf said, thanks guys I found out what my problem is.

markone