I just purchased a 2008 H3 and I am having vibration issues when accelerating and the speedometer bounces around. The vibration gets better at around 50 mph and the speedometer reads correctly after that. I’ve checked u joints and they seem fine. There is a little play where the rear drive shaft connects to the transmission. I would appreciate any ideas.

 

have you checked the transmission fluid for antifreeze or has the radiator failed in the past. i ask because it can be the torque converter you might be experiencing lockup shudder. once it finally engages at highway speeds it then might feel fine

 

I did check the transmission fluid and it looks fine. Just bought it so not sure if the radiator has been replaced, but it looks original. When the vibration starts, the speedometer bounces around until it gets to around 50 mph then it reads correctly. The vibration stops when letting off the accelerator. Any idea if the speed sensor could cause this and if so, how can I check the speed sensor?

 

Does the steering wheel vibrate, when you experience the vibration?

 

It does vibrate a little, but not as bad as the whole truck. The guy I bought it from said he thought it was the cv axle on the passenger side. Could that cause the vibration and speedometer to act up?

 

Miles on the H3?

Get underneath and inspect the Half Shafts, look for torn or cracked boots. The speedo reads from a speed sensor in the T Case. When was the last time the Trans and T Case fluids were changed?

Cupped tires just rotated can cause some vibrations too.

 

The half shafts and boots look good. They don’t have any play or slop in them at all. I’m kinda leaning towards the speed sensor. The speedometer works fine until about 30 or 40 mph and that’s when the shaking and vibration starts. When you get on the highway around 50 or 60 mph the speedometer starts reading correctly and the vibration is all but stopped. I took it to a local shop today and they will look at it tomorrow.

 

The vss will not cause a vibration. Update what your shop finds.