Massive side to side vibration
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New User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1
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Massive side to side vibration
Last night I had one massive brain fart and decided to make a quick turn around on the side of the road. Problem was, the part that appeared to be flat and solid was actually a 1.5 feet deep ditch that had been covered by grass clippings.
After I got it pulled out of the ditch I now have a vibration in the front end resulting in movement of the steering wheel at any speed above about 45 MPH. The steering wheel actually has about 1-2 inches of movement at 70 MPH. I took it down to a front end shop and they told me my lower ball joint and tie rod ends were shot.
My question is would just running off in that ditch (at a very slow speed I might add) less than 10 MPH, would this have just made it very noticeable, or could this have caused some pretty significant damage? Also what kind of work and facilities would be needed to replace them. I Assume that the tie rods would be fairly simple and might just be able to be tightened at the sleeve, but the lower ball joint worries me.
Oh the truck is a 1997 F-150 2WD.
After I got it pulled out of the ditch I now have a vibration in the front end resulting in movement of the steering wheel at any speed above about 45 MPH. The steering wheel actually has about 1-2 inches of movement at 70 MPH. I took it down to a front end shop and they told me my lower ball joint and tie rod ends were shot.
My question is would just running off in that ditch (at a very slow speed I might add) less than 10 MPH, would this have just made it very noticeable, or could this have caused some pretty significant damage? Also what kind of work and facilities would be needed to replace them. I Assume that the tie rods would be fairly simple and might just be able to be tightened at the sleeve, but the lower ball joint worries me.
Oh the truck is a 1997 F-150 2WD.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Massive side to side vibration
Hi Sooner and welcome to FTE 
The balljoints and tie rod ends might be shot but usually running into the ditch like you did wont kill them.
I'd first look for a bent rim. How about mud in the back of a rim making it unbalanced?
Let us know what you find.
The balljoints and tie rod ends might be shot but usually running into the ditch like you did wont kill them.
I'd first look for a bent rim. How about mud in the back of a rim making it unbalanced?
Let us know what you find.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 326
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From: Southwest
Massive side to side vibration
I was on liberty in my 87 van and did that. My excuse is at the time I was drunk. Anyway it turns out I busted up the steering box and bent a rim. If you can turn the wheel farther one way than the other I'd bet dollars to donuts you screwed up the steering box.
