Shaking front end
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 232
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Shaking front end
I finally completed the power steering conversion on my '74 F-100 4x4 shortbed, which works wonderfully. As part of the conversion I removed the steering stabilizer (dual) which I had on it with the manual setup. On the maiden voyage, I hit a bump/pothole at about 45mph and the front end started to shake violently. Got it under control and it has not done it since. The only old parts are the ball joints could they be the culprit or just the big tires (35's)?
New User
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7
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From: North of the Boarder
I second the track bar.
Also I would put the steering stabalizer back in.
Steve
p.s. When I first got my 77 I had the same problem turned out to be track bar bushings and ball joints.
Cranky Old Guy
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,562
Likes: 6
From: Raphine, Virginia
With the truck on ground have someone turn the wheel back and forth, looking for any play at all bushings and connections. Have alignment checked, especially caster and toe in. Steering stabilizers will mask a problem, not solve them. It's purpose is to keep the steering wheel from breaking your wrist when you hit a curb or rock. Not saying not to reinstall one, just fix your problem first. It's called "death wobble".
Elder User
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 796
Likes: 3
From: Anderson Northern Ca
Death Wobble
ungerp,if you still have the same problem after you replace all your bushings and ball joints my next guess would be a separated axle tube,probably the short side.I went through the same guess and replace the parts as you are now doing until all that was left to replace was the axle housing itself.I put a floor jack under the diff and had someone slowly take it up as I watched,sure enough the diff raised up and the short side tube started moving in the diff housing.The weld that holds the tube in the housing had let go and there was about 1 1/2" play each way so when I hit a bump or just all on it's own it would start bouncing up and down until I stopped or slowed down.I put in a newer front end and the problem was solved.Hope this helps.
"bowties in the rear view mirror"
"bowties in the rear view mirror"
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