I'm starting to get a little worried with some new problems that have arisen in the 225. I'm posting it here because I have no idea where the source(s) is and if they are related. For the past month and a half, I have had this noise/vibration, but only under one particular condition which is: Car in drive, car moving, and giving gas. Its a low grumbling/noise with a bad vibration accompanying it. Its very confusing because it only happens with the above conditions. If I am going 60mph, but coasting, I have no noise. If I am in gear, not moving, and giving gas, no noise. If I am coasting, giving gas, but in Neutral, no noise. Also, when I am moving 10 mph and less, I can hear another noise, almost like a rock stuck in a tire tread, especially when the car is cold and I just start moving. And now, just starting this week, the car is not starting in 1st gear from a stop. I can manually shift it into 1st, but if I am in Drive or 2nd, I start in 2nd. I don't know if this is related or just bad timing. I do need to flush out the fluid as I have let it go more than I should have and it is a bit on the brown side. So, any ideas on what is wrong? Driveshaft? Tranny? Exhaust? o No:
Start with something simple. Check the fluid level in the tranny and make sure you're full. Do you have any leaks under the car?
Check the u-joints. The 73 Electra has two u-joints at the rear and a single u-joint at the tranny.Probably one of the rear ones are bad. The tranny problem is probably a separate issue.
Zach, Sure sounds like a driveshaft out of balance, or a bad u-joint, or both. Determine what road speed in direct drive, the vibration is most severe. Then divide that road speed, by 1.50. Then drive the car in second gear, at that speed. For example, if the vibration is most severe at 65 MPH. Divide 65/1.50=43. Drive the car at 43 MPH in second gear. The engine will be turning the same RPM, but the driveshaft speed will be different. If the vibration is still as severe, the driveshaft is not at fault. If the vibration is decreased or eliminated in the lower gear, then the driveshaft is out of balance. Have the u joints replaced and shaft rebalanced, or have a new driveshaft made. As far as the trans problem, I would check the governor. It may be sticking. Unbolt the 4 bolt cover, with the back of the car in the air(you'll lose less fluid). Spray the governor with some gumout, let it dry, then dip it in some fresh fluid, and reinstall. Check the modulator for leakage, and vacuum supply. If that fails, it's probably rebuild time. Hope that helps.
