T-Top vs Coupe Rattle / Shake ?

**kool-aide** · 10-15-2007, 01:58 PM

I have only driven a couple of f-bodies, all t-tops. I have heard the t-top versions have more rattle, or shake, road noise, etc. Does any one know if this is true?

I'm really trying to diagnose a body shake / vibration. I keep my wheels well balanced, and front end aligned. I know the poly tran mount transfers more to your seat than OEM rubber. But man I still say mine is more than it should be. It is just short of vibrating and shaking the fillings out of my mouth.

I'm bothered by the inconstancy and intensity. I can cruise down the highway at 65 not too bad. Go up to 70, that sucks. I can gun it to merge on the high feels kind of racey. Bring it back down to 65, kind of sucks.

I can shift from 4th to 3rd at 65 and get it to change, more racey less filling rattling.

The catch, i don't no for sure if my Camaro has been in an accident. I have strong suspicions it has. Sure carfax will report it, if it was reported, so no guarantees there. I plan to check on the cost and probably get one any way. Then of course if it turns up any acident data then i will be guessing how bad.

Can a body shop check for bad body damage reliably, or is it a waste of time and money?

thanks

kool-aide

**Wesman** · 10-15-2007, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by kool-aide

I have only driven a couple of f-bodies, all t-tops. I have heard the t-top versions have more rattle, or shake, road noise, etc. Does any one know if this is true?

I'm really trying to diagnose a body shake / vibration. I keep my wheels well balanced, and front end aligned. I know the poly tran mount transfers more to your seat than OEM rubber. But man I still say mine is more than it should be. It is just short of vibrating and shaking the fillings out of my mouth.

I'm bothered by the inconstancy and intensity. I can cruise down the highway at 65 not too bad. Go up to 70, that sucks. I can gun it to merge on the high feels kind of racey. Bring it back down to 65, kind of sucks.

I can shift from 4th to 3rd at 65 and get it to change, more racey less filling rattling.

The catch, i don't no for sure if my Camaro has been in an accident. I have strong suspicions it has. Sure carfax will report it, if it was reported, so no guarantees there. I plan to check on the cost and probably get one any way. Then of course if it turns up any acident data then i will be guessing how bad.

Can a body shop check for bad body damage reliably, or is it a waste of time and money?

thanks

kool-aide

The body shop can check for bad body damage, but more importantly they can check the chassis for accident damage and repair work. If damage is found, they can put it on a unibody laser alignment machine, which can actually straighten the frame to within 1mm of factory spec.

If you suspect the chassis is damaged, it might be worth your while to have it checked out by a professional at the body shop.

**kool-aide** · 10-15-2007, 05:29 PM

thanks

any advice on what to look for in a con? I've never had a car with damage my whole life. I wouldn't know the first thing if i was getting taken for.

**SIK02SS** · 10-16-2007, 09:13 AM

all fbodys are loud...i had a ttop, and now i have a coupe. i did notice it was slightly quieter with the coupe...but i dont think thats relative to what you asking about

**kool-aide** · 10-16-2007, 03:34 PM

yeah, i think my wife is ok with getting a carfax report. She is not happy with the body shop exploration.

Put it this way I almost drop the 68 bucks for a new OEM style tranny mount after the poly mount. It went from sporty and tollerable to this sucks i don't care if the mount was 25 bucks.

What frustrates me is I just went through 2 PT cruisers that had the bad shakes at 45. I gave Chrysler the finger cuz they wouldn't fix it let alone admit there was a problem. I don't fault GM on this issue. I just wish I had better skills when it came to diagnosing these kind of problems.

With the Pts it drove me nuts cuz 90% of my driving was city and 45. At least with the Camaro it is the opposite. It only gets the crack head de-tox shakes on the highway, only like 10% of my daily driving.

My wife is ticked cuz the Z is more like a boat, than a car, a real money pit, lol...

The previous owners must have never replaced anything. I am replacing every worn out part. I am DIY to the max to get the most of my wallet. She sure is fun to drive, but man i want a to buy fun stuff not maint stuff.

**kool-aide** · 10-16-2007, 03:47 PM

does any one think the GM dealership is a good place to start for this fancy body alignment check?

Funny thing, the guy that sold me the car is a body and paint guy. I was thinking about calling him to see what equipment he has. My rule is to avoid the dealerships if i can.

thanks

**kool-aide** · 10-16-2007, 04:03 PM

how much faith does any one put in carfax?

**Wesman** · 10-17-2007, 06:23 PM

Originally Posted by kool-aide

does any one think the GM dealership is a good place to start for this fancy body alignment check?

Funny thing, the guy that sold me the car is a body and paint guy. I was thinking about calling him to see what equipment he has. My rule is to avoid the dealerships if i can.

thanks

No. Go to a reputable body shop and have them check it on their machine. They will do a better job, and it will cost you less.

**Wesman** · 10-17-2007, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by kool-aide

how much faith does any one put in carfax?

Carfax is reliable...IF the claim is filed in a police report or an insurance company...if someone crashes the car in their driveway, does thousands of dollars worth of damage, and then pays for it out of pocket, it won't show up on the carfax.

However, the chances of that happening are very slim. Usually when someone pays out of pocket for a repair, the damage is minor, like a scratch in the paint. I guess you never know though...