Had the road force balance done, no improvement in the steering wheel shimmy. Cost 150.00. I wonder if anyone has stock wheels for sale so I can have the dealer look at this as it is getting more and more annoying? As they wont touch it with aftermarket rims and tires.

 

I guess my second question is does anyone think the extra expense is worth it as maybe FORD will not be able to fix this? Then ill be stuck with 2 sets of rims and tires and a steering wheel shimmy.

 

Except for extreme cases, IMO road force balancing will not cure an inherently bad design.

I've had it done three times, with two sets of tires on my stock rims and can tell no difference.

BTW, I only had to pay one time, the other two times were done for free.

 

so I take it your steering wheel is still shaking?

 

Clemensd . . . You might want to find another dealer to take your truck to. There have been many members on this forum with aftermarket wheels/tires that have had the shakes and had their dealer run through the gamut of supposed fixes. I even read a post (not sure where but I'll look) where the dealer even road force balanced the members aftermarket wheels/tires for him, then replaced ring & pinion and driveshaft without blinking an eye.

Good Luck . . . it is a very uncomfortable position to be in not knowing which road to take (I have the vibe as well) . I have been lucky enough to have the shop that put my lowering kit and wheels/tires on working tirelessly to try to find a solution (with no cost to me). I should know today if they were successful with anything. I will post.

 

Well I just put a bid on a set of wheels from ebay, maybe then I can be more aggressive about this. Just wondering if your steering whell vib is intermittent or not? Mine will be bad one day then smooth on the next????????Good luck with yours, it sounds like you have a good shop to work with.

 

Mine drove great (only 167 miles) until I had the drop kit and wheels & tires installed. Ever since (now 750 miles) when I go 60mph to as fast as I've had it (90+) the steering wheel vibrates along with console & floorboard, all the time. It is only intermittent according to rpm's . . . real bad coming through 2000 rpm (1800-2200). If it revs higher or lower the vibe is still there but only slightly, but 1800-2400 is approximate cruising rpm so it tends to be pretty bothersome. Ya, the shop is great. They feel that since it wasn't there before then it is something they need to resolve. They do all the aftermarket work for all the dealers in town and I would recommend them to anyone in the Phoenix area. They are finishing it up and I will have it back today so I'll keep you up to date.

 

I just looked at your pictures. Man that is sweet!!!!! I love the grill where did you get it?

 

Have you, or has anyone tried experimenting with air pressure?

I have tried pressures from 30 to 45 psi. The truck rides VERY buck-board-like at 45 psi and exhibits a slight nibble at 55 mph, or so.

At 30 psi the ride is very much more smooth, but I notice a high-frequency vibration irregardless of the road surface. But, major road irregularities don't seem to unsettle the suspension as happens at higher pressures.

I've convinced the Service Manager to schedule another session with the Ford Engineer.

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2004 F150 Scab Lariat 4x2 5.4L LSD Trailer Tow Pkg
Kumho Ecsta STX 265/60-18

 

No I have not tried any variations in tire pressure. As this problem has followed me through two sets of tires and rims.