Truck Vibration Diagnostics Using a New Electronic Technique

A technique is described for diagnosing the vibration source in a vehicle as it is driven on the road. The basic problem is to determine whether the vibration is related to excessive engine or transmission vibration, driveshaft imbalance, driveline misalignment, U-joints, differential, or whell assembly imbalance; and, in the latter case, to isolate which faulty wheel. The technique developed is to integrate samples of the vibration signal taken synchronously with the various rotating parts. The feasibility of the technique was demonstrated on two heavy trucks and several passenger vehicles.