Alright guys, have an unknown shake in my truck when driving down the road. Most noticeably occurs when driving along about 30 MPH or on the highway about 65 MPH. It's kind of intermittent, sometimes it shakes and sometimes it doesn't on certain stretches of road. But it does shake every time I drive it.

So here's what is new on the truck, 4 BRAND NEW General Grabber AT2 33x12.5x15 tires on Brand new 15x10 4.5" BS wheels.

From 4x4 conversion... rebuilt entire front D44 TTB axle, everything is new except steering linkage, tie rods. New ball joints, wheel bearings, brakes, etc. Has a recent alignment. New u-joints on front and rear driveshafts, also Rear driveshaft is brand new, had a custom one made for the 4x4 conversion.

Rear suspension is all new, new shackles, hangers, leaf springs, u-bolts. Front and rear shocks all brand new.

New fluids in transfer case, transmission, etc. Only thing I haven't touched is the rear differential.

Could it be from the tie rods? I used the 2wd linkage and tie rods when I did the 4x4 conversion and tie rods could be original for all I know, never changed them when I first bought the truck a few years ago.

So I'm down to either tie rods, or that it's from the body lift. When I installed the body lift, I did not have access to air powered tools as I did when I did my 4x4 conversion, so I used hand tools. Maybe I just need to go over all the body lift bolts with the impact?

 

72 views and no help?

Does occur only in 2wd highway driving?

 

Occurs in 2wd and 4wd. Highway and city speeds.

 

And only has done it since 4wd swap?

 

If they aligned it without checking tie rods and such, then they just took your money. Any shop worth it's salt will check every part before doing any alignment work. If something is loose, it has to be fixed first.

Rotate the tires front/back to see if that changes anything. Might have a bum tire(belt separated).

 

You mentioned new tires, did the vibration start after the new tires, (just because they are new does not make them perfect) or after the 4X4 conversion? Or was it there before?

What I am trying to find out is "when" did it start? What was the last thing you did to the truck before it started?

 

CHECK YOUR DRUMS!

I had the exact same issue, I even had the rear drive shaft re balanced. While that helped, replacing the drums completely eliminated the problem.

 

Also a few days ago I remember you talking about some blocks under the rear springs, I remember something said about tapered blocks, I don't remember if you used them or not, if so I'm just wondering if the pinion angle might be messed up..

 

Make sure all 4 rims are straight, had an issue similar to yours and I found a rim was slightly bent.

 

Maybe one of the new tires is disbalanced.

 

Nope, did it before 4x4 conversion as well.

They said everything was good. I should have bought new tie rods when I did the 4x4 conversion as well, lol replaced everything else. But I had to get the truck done quick last minute and didn't have time to replace them.

And I don't think so on the tires, all 4 have about less than 1000 miles on them.

Vibration is SLIGHTLY less with new tires, the old tires were a used and badly worn set of 33x12.5x15 BFG A/T's on stock 15x7.5 Ford wheels. Those shook pretty bad, with new tires the shaking isn't nearly as bad as it was before. And it shook before 4x4 conversion as well, new tires put on immediately after 4x4 conversion.

Thanks, how can I "check" the rear drums before replacing? I have never replaced them since I have owned it, may be original.

Yep put 2" lift blocks under rear springs, they are slightly tapered. It was all I could find. Couldn't find any without the taper. But shaking is the exact same as it was before putting blocks in.

All 4 rims appear to be fine. Shaking occurred with old tire/rim combo as well.

Could be, but I doubt it.

 

Jack up the truck, spin a rear wheel. If the dragging sounds off, like, you hear the brake shoes drag... then they don't... then it does again, you've got warped drums.

I bought the cheapy replacements from FailZone (AutoZone), and all is well, it rides really smooth now.

If you do replace the drums you'll most likely have to adjust the self adjuster a bit to make the new drums fit. If needed I can snap a picture of the self adjuster. Or, if you have a Haynes service manual, that should have the drum brake self adjuster in there. As well as info on how to adjust it.

 

Thank you Chris I will try that tonight and report back.

 

you can check the "Drum brakes" link in my sig. you'll find most of the info you want there.

 

I was thinking this too