Alphard gets rattly at 80mph

[PaulS_]

Hi all,

 

First-time Alphard owner and first-time poster. I’d just like to say thanks to everyone that contributes to this forum as the information and tips have been genuinely helpful in terms of what to know about the car.

 

I’ll probably have a few more questions but here’s the first one. The car is great - everything works as it should - but after about 80mph it’s getting quite rattly and vibrates.

 

My assumption is that this is specific to this car and needs resolving. It’s a 2.4 hybrid.

 

Any advice would be welcome. I’m happy to take the car back for the garage to inspect, but any advice in advance would be great.

[Rojie]

12 hours ago, PaulS_ said:

Hi all,

 

First-time Alphard owner and first-time poster. I’d just like to say thanks to everyone that contributes to this forum as the information and tips have been genuinely helpful in terms of what to know about the car.

 

I’ll probably have a few more questions but here’s the first one. The car is great - everything works as it should - but after about 80mph it’s getting quite rattly and vibrates.

 

My assumption is that this is specific to this car and needs resolving. It’s a 2.4 hybrid.

 

Any advice would be welcome. I’m happy to take the car back for the garage to inspect, but any advice in advance would be great.

 

Hello Paul,

 

Welcome to the Forum.

 

Check for equal tyre wear and tyre pressures.

When is your MOT due, you may find a reason then ?

 

Oh, and slow down a bit.

[pipsyp]

Hi Paul,

 

As Roger mentions tyre pressures/uneven wear could be the issue.  It may be that your wheels need balancing or it may be in need of a full wheel alignment.

 

Full wheel alignment is a tricky one as I dont think there is widely available details for the specs on this, so most tyre outfits won't know how/want to work on it.  Some will happily however.

 

All things being equal though you should be able to do those speeds (albeit illegally :-)) without vibration, definitely not normal.

 

Best of luck finding a solution, best bet is probably to take it to a good independent tyre fitters that do 4 wheel alignment and see what they say.  Having the wheels balanced might just do it, and is straightforward enough.

[Rojie]

 

I omitted to say the wheels may need balancing. Oopps.

 

Full wheel alignment data is available in this Forum.

 

I think the rear geometry is fixed (notwithstanding excessive wear) but perhaps not for your hybrid.

 

Search Picasso, I think Lee was the last person to publish the data.

 

Check out the technical section too, it is here somewhere !

[PaulS_]

Thanks very much for your help folks.