Hey all, 1993, 240 wagon, auto.

Got in today, started up fine. Went to drive, big giant shudder, almost shaking the whole car. Would get out of first and still shudder but less and somewhat less in 3rd. Not sure what to think.

Transmission? hope not, parked it and took the Honda

Ideas?

 

inspect the drive shaft. the center bearing may have died. or something like that.

 

I'll go with Pierce on this one. The center carrier bearing has a rubber ring that rots, fails and can provide the symptoms you describe. A frozen U joint can do it too but much less common.

 

Took a look underneath this morning in the driveway as best I could without jacking it up.

The U joint right in the middle of the drive shaft looks like it may have come loose? The underside of the car is "dirty", obviously, but it looks like it might have separated a little because I can see a very clean black section. Clean as in no dirt or grime on it like everything else underneath.

I just finished putting new springs in the back last weekend, I guess I could have jostled something loose??

 

there's a carrier bearing on the driveshaft just forward of that middle U-joint... that bearing or the rubber donut its suspended in are the commonest cause of these noises/vibrations.

 

That makes me feel a little better. I just dropped it off for annual inspection (no emissions now that I have the "classic car" registration), so I'll have them take a look, they can fix it a lot quicker than I can.

 

UPDATE:

Crisis averted. Evidently when I replaced the rear springs/shocks I didn't tighten a control arm properly. whew!

Other good news, only thing needed for state inspection was the battery hold down was MIA.

So, me be happy!