I have a 1999 F-150 4x4 w/ 5.4L V8 that has been pretty much been trouble free through 65,000 miles. Recently it has begun have an unusual shake for lack of a better term that gets progressively worse as I get up to a highway speed. The shake is subtle and not all that bad, but its something there that hasn't been there until recently (last few 1,000 miles or so). Also, as I slow down to almost a complete stop, without my foot on the brakes, there is a slight shake or vibration I feel throughout the vehicle. I just recently put on new front rotors and new pads (this shake was happening before this) because the old rotors ended up being warped. I have never changed the shocks and rubber mounts and that is my next move. Additionally, the <a href="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=37919709&siteid=39251846">tires </a>are new and just recently rotated and balanced. Also, When driving down the highway, there is no vibration in the steering wheel or brake pedal, but I do feel some slight shake in the <a href="http://www.motorhaven.com/">accelerator pedal</a>. Has anyone experienced anything like this. I thought at first maybe one of my wheel rims may be bent, but nothing was said when I had the <a href="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=37919709&siteid=39251846">tires </a>recently re-balanced and rotated. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

Maybe you need an allignment. Replacing you shocks may help as well. I changed mine after 100k miles, and needless to say, it was too late, for my front <a href="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=37919709&siteid=39251846">tires </a>were cupped due to the bad shocks.

Good luck!

 

Hi samaustintx and welcome to FTE

Did your truck have the vibration before the new <a href="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=37919709&siteid=39251846">tires </a>were put on? Do you know someone else with the same kind of truck that you could swap <a href="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=37919709&siteid=39251846">tires </a>with to try?
I would also carefully check the U-joints in the rear driveshaft to see if you have a worn or seized one. You may have to remove the shaft to check them properly.
Let us know what you find

 

I also have an 1999 F-150 4x4 (50,000 miles) with a similar problem. I have changed all 4 rotors and pads (all rotors were checked with dial indicator and are within spec), checked ball joints, rods, hub bearings, <a href="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=37919709&siteid=39251846">tires </a>are ok, alignment is good and I still can't figure out what the problem is. I assumed it was the brakes because it only happens when they are applied at higher speeds. Tomorrow I am having the rear axle and bearing checked. If it works out for me, I will let you know. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks for everyone's comments thus far. The shake was present prior to getting the <a href="http://service.bfast.com/bfast/click?bfmid=37919709&siteid=39251846">tires </a>that I have now. I had thought about the idea of getting someone else's wheels put on my truck to see if I still had the problem...the rim or rims problem came to mind ......thanks for the reminder. And since the U-Joint was mentioned....that certainly too could be culprit with the way the shake gets progressively worse as I go faster and less as I slow down and come to a stop. I'll have that checked out soon and pass along what find out. As to Ghayde's similair problem like mine....mine is somewhat different it seems in that the brakes don't seem to affect or cause the shake, the shake is present just driving down the road....but I would like to hear if you had luck with checking out the rear axle and bearings. Once again, thanks for all comments and once I get it figured out, I'll let everyone know.

 

Hi GHayde Welcome to FTE

Are they going to check axle flange runout too?
Let us know what you find out
I was just thinking about this more tonight. Are these trucks light F150s or 7700lbs?
At work we've seen a few 7700s now that have vibrations that we havent been able to cure. It seems they do it mainly at aroung 60 kmh (40mph). It feels a bit like a shimmy from an unbalanced tire. So far nothing we've tried has helped and Ford doesnt have any answers. It seems to be just a characteristic of the truck. The problems have always been there though since they were new.

 

Thanks for the quick response. This truck is a 150 supercab
We were pressed for time today and did not get to check the axle. But I will check the runout. We are trying to source out the problem before I dig that money pit. I put the truck on the lift and took the truck to 60mph and applied the brakes(in 2 wheel drive). No vibration and no ABS!! Put the truck in 4 wheel, ran it to 60mph, applied the brakes and it jumped so much I thought I was going to shoot off the lift. The brake petal wanted to toss my foot. Should this happen?? It felt as though the ABS was kicking in, but only in 4 wheel. I always thought that ABS isnt there when your in 4 wheel. Im probably wrong. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

 

I'm not positive but I thought that on the newer trucks the ABS worked in 4x4 as well. I cant find anything about that in the manual that says one way or the other but your owner's manual might say. I do know that ABS doesnt work well with the truck on the hoist. It usually makes it jump around something fierce.
Might be a good idea to get the front rotor runout checked even if the rotors are quite new.

 

Samaustintx
How did everything work out with the vibration, Did you find a cure? Im curious to know what the issue was. My 150 still vibrates violently at 40mph.

Gary-

 

Thanks for the inquiry, I was intending to post a comment on that. I finally ended up having the lower control arm (front suspension) rubber bushings replaced. That seemed to take care of my vibration problem. Hope this little bit of information helps.

 

Finally!!!!
Ford had my truck for 6 hours today and there is no more vibration. They say that when my axle seal leaked that gear oil found its way to the pads. The oil causes the brakes to slip. I replaced everything on the truck and who would have thought.
Thank god its fixed.

 

Great that it's finally fixed