Front end vibration
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Northern MN
Front end vibration
So I have some vibration that I notice going highway speeds coming from the front of the truck, and when I make turns around corners, or at stop signs, into driveways, etc. I hear a popping noise from the front end on the driver's side, like something is loose.
So I looked underneath my truck and here is what I found on the driver's side:
Compare that to the passenger's side:
Looks like the end of the tie rod is bent..... is this ok to continue driving on or do I need the tie rod replaced ASAP?
So I looked underneath my truck and here is what I found on the driver's side:
Compare that to the passenger's side:
Looks like the end of the tie rod is bent..... is this ok to continue driving on or do I need the tie rod replaced ASAP?
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 12
From: Sand Lake, MI
I don't "see" a obvious problem there solely based on whats shown in the picture, other then its in dire need of a lube job.
Those grease zerts make it look like a gun has touched em in a very long time.
First thing give it a good grease job, any joint won't take grease replace the zert so it does.
Those grease zerts make it look like a gun has touched em in a very long time.
First thing give it a good grease job, any joint won't take grease replace the zert so it does.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,346
Likes: 4
From: Rapid City, SoDak
I see it, the joint on the end of the rod is broken. If that breaks while going down the road that tire will turn suddenly one way or the other but you won't have any control of it. You might lose control of both sides, not sure.
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
Likes: 12
From: Sand Lake, MI
but it looks like your ball joint is about to to break in half.
Where you seeing that?
There is only one ball joint in view in the pictures you can see the part of it give some clue if its bad or not, it looks fine? Other three are blocked or not in the pictures to start with.
Those are greaseable so they have been replaced least ones in view, grease em get it up in the air when you do it check for play in everything. greasing it gonna make a big difference, what doesn't have play now might have after a good lube job.
Where you seeing that?
There is only one ball joint in view in the pictures you can see the part of it give some clue if its bad or not, it looks fine? Other three are blocked or not in the pictures to start with.
Those are greaseable so they have been replaced least ones in view, grease em get it up in the air when you do it check for play in everything. greasing it gonna make a big difference, what doesn't have play now might have after a good lube job.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
If you're talking about the way the tie rod is turned as opposed to straight like the other one, that is not a problem, its a ball and socket joint and they are supposedd to move like that.
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Posting Guru
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From: Northern MN
Thanks guys.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,326
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From: Laramie, WY
As far as greasing ball joints, u-joints, tie rods, etc: Don't grease any of them for a long time so they all wear out. Then, after you spend a bunch on parts and do the PITA replacements, you'll never go more than 3k miles without greasing everything because you'll see the value in a $4 tube of grease.
Or, just grease everything at each oil change and get a long trouble free life out of most your chassis parts.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,670
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From: Sand Lake, MI
If you do not know how and don't know what you're looking at, sounds like that'd be the case? get someone who knows check it all over for you.
Now if something was broke to the point you could see it you'd know it and if in the pictures we'd surely tell you, your pictures show nothing of the sort.
As stated that tie rod is rotated slightly of 90 deg, that is normal and not a problem.
Don't like it like that reach under there with your hand and turn it straight. Only reason you wouldn't be able to would be the complete lack of lubrication, if you do likely rotate back the way it is again anyway. Again that is not a problem.
Anyway I don't doubt you got problems and for that very reason the lack of maintenance, can't see them in the picture because they just don't show any.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Northern MN
Ok sorry guys I'm no mechanic here but I'll have my shop take a look when I get it in next week. Only reason I thought something was wrong was because that tie rod end joint appears to be bent to me... Wasn't sure that it's not a big deal. I figured that's what is causing the noise when I turn, like something is loose. I don't know I'll jack it up tomorrow and see if there's any movement on either side.
It's funny I had that driver's side tie rod end replaced at my tire shop a while back and they must not have greased anything... sounds like according to you guys nothing is really greased in the front though.
It's funny I had that driver's side tie rod end replaced at my tire shop a while back and they must not have greased anything... sounds like according to you guys nothing is really greased in the front though.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,326
Likes: 292
From: Laramie, WY
Just jack up one side at a time, grab the tire at 12 & 6 and try to rock it. If there is play in that direction it would be ball joints. Then grab it at 3 and 9 and try to rock it. If there is play in that direction it would be tie rod ends. If there is play, try to get someone else to rock the tire for you so you can watch.
A very small amount of play should be present for the 0.001" end play in the wheel bearings. If there is no play at all, the bearing are a little too tight, not the end of the world, but something to keep in mind.
As far as greasing goes, I probably over do it, but I have about 100k on my ball joints and have not been easy on them, so I think its worth doing often.
Oh and that tie rod end isn't bent. They are designed to be able to pivot like that. If you grab the one on the other side you should be able to twist it into the same position, or twist the one that looks bent to you back to straigh.
Sorry if we came off as harsh. Best of luck!
A very small amount of play should be present for the 0.001" end play in the wheel bearings. If there is no play at all, the bearing are a little too tight, not the end of the world, but something to keep in mind.
As far as greasing goes, I probably over do it, but I have about 100k on my ball joints and have not been easy on them, so I think its worth doing often.
Oh and that tie rod end isn't bent. They are designed to be able to pivot like that. If you grab the one on the other side you should be able to twist it into the same position, or twist the one that looks bent to you back to straigh.
Sorry if we came off as harsh. Best of luck!
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Posting Guru
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From: Northern MN
Ah don't worry about it, it's just because of my lack of experience with this kind of stuff lol. Thanks for the tips on checking for play.... I'll give it a try tomorrow and report the results. Ok good to know that nothing is wrong with that tie rod end then...
The Southernmost Mod
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 6,902
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From: Caracas, Venezuela
Check the radius arms mounting brackets, these some times fail (as one did in my Bronco) and the result is what you described, check them both (and the frame too) for cracks.
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 8,843
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From: Eastern Ky
Ah don't worry about it, it's just because of my lack of experience with this kind of stuff lol. Thanks for the tips on checking for play.... I'll give it a try tomorrow and report the results. Ok good to know that nothing is wrong with that tie rod end then...
A good pressure washing, and greasing..you'll notice a difference....The steering should feel more.."Stable"...
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 3,326
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From: Laramie, WY
Yeah this too, and the bushings wear out where the arm goes into the bracket. I usually drive with bad bushings, cus they only seem to last all of about a year. These are a little less straight forward to check, I usually just look to see if the bracket is "polished" where the bushing moves up and down inside the bracket. Doesn't ever seem to cause a vibration with just bad bushings though.