Mahindra MM550's rear starts shuddering at 60+ kph

lugnut · 9th March 2012, 10:05

Lately I've been noticing a strange, but worrisome issue with my 550. This has not happened in the past 2.5 years since she was rebuilt.

At speeds greater than 60+ kmph, 4th gear engaged in 2wd, regular tarmac driving, the rear of the Jeep starts to shudder, and acceleration does not go beyond 60 (hovers around that).
The problem shows up quite frequently (although erratically)
I did get the leafs serviced most recently [2 months, ago]

Needed help and guidance in diagnosing and fixing this issue - and would greatly appreciate folks to chime in ..

. The Jeep is my daily driver.

fazalaliadil · 9th March 2012, 10:14

Lugnut,

The shuddering and vibration from the rear end points to a misaligned, rear propeller shaft, this also happens at higher speeds as the shaft rotation increases and vibrations are more pronounced.

Also check the GB and aux GB foundations if old and change them.
Regards,

DirtyDan · 9th March 2012, 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by lugnut

At speeds greater than 60+ kmph, 4th gear engaged in 2wd, regular tarmac driving, the rear of the Jeep starts to shudder, folks to chime in ...

Universal joint, maybe, also known as the cross over. That's the thing attached to the propeller that allows rotation at an angle. Also check spindle and O-ring going into the rear differential.

Do you notice any slap, clank, clunk or shudder when you alternately accellerate and decellerate in relatively quick succession at around 40-60? If so, check crossover and spindle.

ex670c · 9th March 2012, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by lugnut

Lately I've been noticing a strange, but worrisome issue with my 550. This has not happened in the past 2.5 years since she was rebuilt.

At speeds greater than 60+ kmph, 4th gear engaged in 2wd, regular tarmac driving, the rear of the Jeep starts to shudder, and acceleration does not go beyond 60 (hovers around that).
The problem shows up quite frequently (although erratically)
I did get the leafs serviced most recently [2 months, ago]

Needed help and guidance in diagnosing and fixing this issue - and would greatly appreciate folks to chime in ... The Jeep is my daily driver.

Hi Lugnut,

Please check the rear Leaf spring U-Clamp.

Regards,

Arka

boeuff · 9th March 2012, 18:05

Check if the tyres are seated on the rims correctly, I had a shuddering in my fiat that was ultimately solved by reseating the bead.

lugnut · 14th March 2012, 15:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyDan

U
Do you notice any slap, clank, clunk or shudder when you alternately accellerate and decellerate in relatively quick succession at around 40-60? If so, check crossover and spindle.

Yup - slap/clank-clank - heard it - thanks DD.

Sudarshan · 15th March 2012, 18:25

Just a thought ,
Does this vehicle has a LSD ?

Arkaji -- please comment ( since you know this well ) -- you know what I am pointing at

Sudarshan

ex670c · 15th March 2012, 19:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sudarshan

Just a thought ,
Does this vehicle has a LSD ?

Arkaji -- please comment ( since you know this well ) -- you know what I am pointing at

Sudarshan JEE,

The LSD will not cause the rear to shudder, at worst it chirp or squeal, on a straight line.

Even an Auto-Locker will not cause the rear to shudder, provided you are doing 50-60-70kmph on a straight line.

Regards,

Arka

DirtyDan · 16th March 2012, 13:00

Universal joints wear out. This is common and normal. Considering the work they do and the friction involved, they do a pretty good job. But they will go away sooner or later. When they start to wear out the joint is no longer tight or maybe one of its sides is locking up and it will resist rotation. At certain speeds the harmonics of rotation will produce a shudder. With a little more wear the joint will 'clank' or 'clunk' upon accelleration/decelleration all the time because the joint has worn some slack into it. You have all probably seen big trucks on the side of the road from time to time with the driveshaft laying on the ground. This is usually because the universal failed completely. Universals are not too expensive. To pre-empt trouble on the road, when one of my universals shows signs of wear, I usually change both universals on that propeller because the other one is probably about ready to wear out, too.

9th March 2012, 10:05	#1
lugnut BHPian Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Mumbai Posts: 138 Thanked: 58 Times	Mahindra MM550's rear starts shuddering at 60+ kph Lately I've been noticing a strange, but worrisome issue with my 550. This has not happened in the past 2.5 years since she was rebuilt. At speeds greater than 60+ kmph, 4th gear engaged in 2wd, regular tarmac driving, the rear of the Jeep starts to shudder, and acceleration does not go beyond 60 (hovers around that). The problem shows up quite frequently (although erratically) I did get the leafs serviced most recently [2 months, ago] Needed help and guidance in diagnosing and fixing this issue - and would greatly appreciate folks to chime in ... The Jeep is my daily driver.
	() Thanks

9th March 2012, 10:14	#2
fazalaliadil Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 2,022 Thanked: 671 Times View My Garage	Re: Help - 550 rear shudders at 60+ kmph Lugnut, The shuddering and vibration from the rear end points to a misaligned, rear propeller shaft, this also happens at higher speeds as the shaft rotation increases and vibrations are more pronounced. Also check the GB and aux GB foundations if old and change them. Regards,
	(2) Thanks

9th March 2012, 18:05	#5
boeuff BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Blr Posts: 180 Thanked: 97 Times View My Garage	Check if the tyres are seated on the rims correctly, I had a shuddering in my fiat that was ultimately solved by reseating the bead.
	(1) Thanks

15th March 2012, 18:25	#7
Sudarshan BANNED Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Pune Posts: 1,200 Thanked: 880 Times View My Garage	Re: Mahindra MM550's rear starts shuddering at 60+ kph Just a thought , Does this vehicle has a LSD ? Arkaji -- please comment ( since you know this well ) -- you know what I am pointing at Sudarshan
	() Thanks

16th March 2012, 13:00	#9
DirtyDan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Dharamsala, H.P Posts: 2,075 Thanked: 1,563 Times	Re: Mahindra MM550's rear starts shuddering at 60+ kph Universal joints wear out. This is common and normal. Considering the work they do and the friction involved, they do a pretty good job. But they will go away sooner or later. When they start to wear out the joint is no longer tight or maybe one of its sides is locking up and it will resist rotation. At certain speeds the harmonics of rotation will produce a shudder. With a little more wear the joint will 'clank' or 'clunk' upon accelleration/decelleration all the time because the joint has worn some slack into it. You have all probably seen big trucks on the side of the road from time to time with the driveshaft laying on the ground. This is usually because the universal failed completely. Universals are not too expensive. To pre-empt trouble on the road, when one of my universals shows signs of wear, I usually change both universals on that propeller because the other one is probably about ready to wear out, too.
	() Thanks