Hi all, new here... I've just got my hands on a cheap KR Verada. I'm not all that car savvy, and the car has some issues.

The car has done just on 200,000 km, has been sitting idle quite a lot for the last few years, as the third family car. It obviously needs some work, because I'm having some vibration problems with the car. From the short time I've been driving it, I can say the following.

The car idles a little rough.
Can drive a little rough up to say 20km/h.
Drives quite smooth from 40-70 km/h.
Gets quite strong vibrations from 80 - 90+ km/h.
Vibrations generally only happen when accelerating (or when idleing).
If I rev the engine in neutral, there will be no vibrations.
Despite all the vibrations, the car drives straight.
The vibrations feel more like they're in the car, than in the steering wheel.

The previous owner says that the car was lowered very low when they bought it, caused some problems with the shock absorbers (I think), and they've had the car raised back up to just below the standard height.

I've got it booked in for a mechanic a friend recommended in a weeks time, would be nice if I could prehaps point him in the right direction of where to look. Or does anyone have a mechanic in Perth they could recommend?

From what I've read, possible causes are bad cv joints, engine mounts, drive shafts or the transmission. Any thoughts on what I could rule out, or anything I've missed? Anything I can check myself before I take it to the mechanic?

Thanks alot.

Welcome to the forum! Sounds like your car is in need of some looking at and diagnosis! Lots of things you can check yourself.

Low speed vibration can be out of round tyres or tyres that have been flat spotted by sitting still for too long. New front tyres or a wheel balance will check/fix that.

My TS V6 with 240,000 km has the same problem, smooth at 40 to 70, then vibration at 80 and upwards. I've traced this to tie rods (wear on the ball joint that sits on the end of the steering rack, I bet if you check the steering rack boots they will be split), wear on the tie rod ends themselves, and wheel bearings. I have replaced the tie rods and rack boots, still have tie rod ends and wheel bearings to do. Jack the car up with both wheels off the ground, and try moving the wheels left and right, and look for where any play is - wheel bearing, tie rod ends or tie rods. Rotating the wheels by hand at this stage will give you an idea if the driveshafts are turning smoothly.

Check the drive shaft boots too. Torn boots and a dry/seizing up joint is at times a cause of vibration appearing under acceleration.
Not unusual for the ball joints to have disintegrating rubber boots on them too.

Engine rough idle: Can be anything from needing new plugs, a dud spark plug lead, to a burnt exhaust valve.

A neglected older Magna can have a whole set of problems like this, a mechanic who is in a hurry to fix things would appreciate you checking these things yourself. Rubber boots and looking for play are two obvious places to start .

thanks Mad Max, really apreciate your response...

As I said, I'm pretty useless with cars... Is there anywhere I can go read about which will help me check all the things you've mentioned? I've never really had an interest in cars, all the ones I've owned up till now have never had any problems, so I've never had to learn how they work.

I didn't get a manual with the car, so if there's a diagram or something I could work off that would point me in the right direction, that'd be appreciated.

At the very least, if I can't work my way around the car, I can ask the mechanic to check out the issues that you've mentioned...

Thanks for the help.

To be honest, an old Magna is more of a DIY proposition that a "take it to a mechanic" deal. Parts are cheap but labour is not, and you will soon get sick of forking out money on it. A lot of Magnas of the second generation type end up at wreckers for this very reason.

Having said that, I knew nothing about Magnas before I bought my first, so if you are willing to get your hands dirty and are a fast learner, there's hope yet.

Have a look around the forum, there are links to workshop manuals somewhere. There aren't many pictures in it though, along the line of "this is the alternator, this is the driveshaft", or instructions like "this is how you check a wheel bearing for play", that sort of thing is assumed knowledge. You can though, ask for advice here on this forum, even post pictures here and ask what the bits are called and how to check if they are ok. That's how we learn.

Thanks Mad Max,

I appreciate it. Essentially I'll be happy to just keep the car going, and unfortunately I won't be doing much myself as I won't have the time, or the tools to do it myself.

Just an update on the symptoms, they've changed a bit from what I've described above. That was the first time I drove the car, but I've given it a few more drives with mixed results.

The vibrations are only there when I'm pressing down on the accellerator, they seem to go away when I'm not accellerating, but they can be there at most speeds. I thought it was fine between 40 and 70, because I was hardly accellerating at those speeds.

The vibrations seem to be slightly worse when I have the car in overdrive, than when I don't.

They also seem to be far worse when the weather is colder, than when it is warm. I went for a drive Sunday afternoon when I could hardly feel a thing, then Monday evening when it was cold the vibrations were quite present.

They also seem to be far worse when I'm driving up some degree of a hill. Flat surfaces not as bad.



If anyone thinks these extra or more detailed symptoms may indicate something, please let me know.

Mad Max, thanks again for your help.

Cheers




To be honest, an old Magna is more of a DIY proposition that a "take it to a mechanic" deal. Parts are cheap but labour is not, and you will soon get sick of forking out money on it. A lot of Magnas of the second generation type end up at wreckers for this very reason.

Having said that, I knew nothing about Magnas before I bought my first, so if you are willing to get your hands dirty and are a fast learner, there's hope yet.

Have a look around the forum, there are links to workshop manuals somewhere. There aren't many pictures in it though, along the line of "this is the alternator, this is the driveshaft", or instructions like "this is how you check a wheel bearing for play", that sort of thing is assumed knowledge. You can though, ask for advice here on this forum, even post pictures here and ask what the bits are called and how to check if they are ok. That's how we learn.

Vibration that increases under acceleration is often caused by driveshafts that are worn. Have a look at their rubber boots for leaking grease.

You are not going to get much further with getting the car running right, until you do actually have a look. You have described the problems really well, but now you need to get down and look under the car. Maybe take some pictures and show us, we will soon tell you what isn't right under there. lol