Some Basic Questions.....Horrendous Vibration
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
My experience with worn Cleve Bloc rubbers on the swingarm is the rear end feels loose. My experience with a front rubber is I always heard a knock as the rubber squished and let metal hit. The cleve blocs are a PITA and if you go that far, inspect and consider changing out your final drive belt.
On 1 I did have a bolt that broke off the football plate and let the swingarm move in the frame.
On 1 I did have a bolt that broke off the football plate and let the swingarm move in the frame.
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Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Ft.Worth, Texas
Not sure if you have what yo need but my $0.02
Vibration in a rubber mounted Evo is from mis-alignment in the rubber mount system. Your '89 is old enough the front rubber is most liekely squished or deteriorated. Basically the motor bounces on the front rubber as it pivots on the swingarm pivot shaft. Another common problem is the rubbers back at the swingarm under the football shaped plates with the chrome covers hiding the swingarm pivot shaft. If you don't have 1 get a good H-D Manual. After changing the (20 rubbrs in the rear and the 1 in the front align per the manual.
Basically, get it upright on a lift, place (2) weights in front of and outside each side of the front tire, (I use car jackstands). Tie string line to the top of a stand, go back around the rear tire and up to the other stand and tie it off. make the string line as high as possible on the front and rear tires. With the string just touching the front of the rear tire on both sides, the front wheel at rest straight should be centered in between the stringlines. Adjusting the front motor mount heim joint will correct misalignment. There is also a heim jointunder the tank to the heads. Get a manual before you decide to make any adjustments on the upper heim joint ASM
Vibration in a rubber mounted Evo is from mis-alignment in the rubber mount system. Your '89 is old enough the front rubber is most liekely squished or deteriorated. Basically the motor bounces on the front rubber as it pivots on the swingarm pivot shaft. Another common problem is the rubbers back at the swingarm under the football shaped plates with the chrome covers hiding the swingarm pivot shaft. If you don't have 1 get a good H-D Manual. After changing the (20 rubbrs in the rear and the 1 in the front align per the manual.
Basically, get it upright on a lift, place (2) weights in front of and outside each side of the front tire, (I use car jackstands). Tie string line to the top of a stand, go back around the rear tire and up to the other stand and tie it off. make the string line as high as possible on the front and rear tires. With the string just touching the front of the rear tire on both sides, the front wheel at rest straight should be centered in between the stringlines. Adjusting the front motor mount heim joint will correct misalignment. There is also a heim jointunder the tank to the heads. Get a manual before you decide to make any adjustments on the upper heim joint ASM
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
I have removed Evo heads many times and never really jacked with that top mount. I replace jugs and heads and bolt the mounts back with no adjustments. I too found the manual over complicated and learned to keep it simple with the string line.
As long as things are bolted together on the top I would say it is most likely OK. if it was way off and very difficult to get the bolt back in the heim joint then I would say you have a sagging swingarm cleve bloc that is letting 1 side down. beyond that the front alignment is the biggest issue as it sets the centerline of the rear wheel in the centerline of the front wheel so it tracks straight.
basically the wheels are like gyroscopes running down the road and if they are out of alignment they tend to put things in a bind. Doesnt take long to run a stringline to see if it is out.
As long as things are bolted together on the top I would say it is most likely OK. if it was way off and very difficult to get the bolt back in the heim joint then I would say you have a sagging swingarm cleve bloc that is letting 1 side down. beyond that the front alignment is the biggest issue as it sets the centerline of the rear wheel in the centerline of the front wheel so it tracks straight.
basically the wheels are like gyroscopes running down the road and if they are out of alignment they tend to put things in a bind. Doesnt take long to run a stringline to see if it is out.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,664
Likes: 184
From: Indiana, USA
You were smart enough to change the VOES so I am confident you can handle the string line. be a shame to pay 1 hr shop labor for some guy to tell you the alignment was OK. if you find it off then you have enough information to think about paying the shop.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,325
Likes: 3,571
From: Picayune, Ms.
You said that the vibration is from 30 to 70mph but then state that you think it is engine related. You are comparing apples to oranges. If you think it is the engine you should have stated a RPM range, not MPH.
Did you shut the engine off in that speed range and the vibration went away? Do you run the RPM's the same for these speed ranges? Did you maybe loose a wheel weight??
Is the primary chain tensioned properly?? How about the secondary drive??
So my question is "How do you know it is the engine??"
Did you shut the engine off in that speed range and the vibration went away? Do you run the RPM's the same for these speed ranges? Did you maybe loose a wheel weight??
Is the primary chain tensioned properly?? How about the secondary drive??
So my question is "How do you know it is the engine??"
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 15,705
Likes: 22,718
From: Farmington ,MS
Have you checked the heim joints themselves? They can become frozen, and introduce a lot of vibration. The ends should turn freely with your fingers..
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Joined: Oct 2015
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From: Ft.Worth, Texas
I have not but thanks for that suggestion!
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 32
From: Ft.Worth, Texas
You said that the vibration is from 30 to 70mph but then state that you think it is engine related. You are comparing apples to oranges. If you think it is the engine you should have stated a RPM range, not MPH.
Did you shut the engine off in that speed range and the vibration went away? Do you run the RPM's the same for these speed ranges? Did you maybe loose a wheel weight??
Is the primary chain tensioned properly?? How about the secondary drive??
So my question is "How do you know it is the engine??"
Did you shut the engine off in that speed range and the vibration went away? Do you run the RPM's the same for these speed ranges? Did you maybe loose a wheel weight??
Is the primary chain tensioned properly?? How about the secondary drive??
So my question is "How do you know it is the engine??"
Thread Starter
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Supporter
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 32
From: Ft.Worth, Texas
I did completely remove the front motor mount and it looks good to me. No cracks, tears, etc. and it is still soft. Its the old style mount made of the softer compound so, I kinda hate to replace it with the new style mount.