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Violent shimmy.

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Old Apr 12, 2013 | 06:14 PM
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Violent shimmy.

2009f150fx4 On a trip and start to hear a squeeking when driving slow.. So on the way home I took off on a really slow on a kinda bumpy road and the truck started to shake so violently I had to come to a stop in the highway.. So what are your thoughts? A bad coil over? And I hadn't made it to 30mph so it wasn't my driving.She got 93k on her
 
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Old Apr 12, 2013 | 08:13 PM
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65 views and no comments!!!! Come on now. I'll listen to any ideas and welcome them.
 
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Old Apr 12, 2013 | 08:20 PM
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Drive shaft out of balance, wheel bearing issues, it could be many different things. It could even be a transmission issue. Does it do it every time, or occasionally? When you mention squeaking it makes me think of ball joints too.
 
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Old Apr 12, 2013 | 09:05 PM
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God bless you... The squeeking is every time I drive it when it sits a while.. The violent vibration is occasional but is becoming more frequent. .. It also has done the same about a year ago when it was cold out. But that time I just thought the tires were flat spotting from sitting in the cold... Suggestions?? !!
 
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Old Apr 12, 2013 | 09:09 PM
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Driving freeway speed it does feel like I have to correct it more. What do you think about the shock/strut gone bad?? The shimmy seems like it needs a bump or two to get out of control.
 
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Old Apr 13, 2013 | 12:42 AM
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I had a weight fly off my driveshaft and it caused one hell of a vibration. Take a look at our driveshaft and look for a shiny spot where a weight used to be. Also u joints can cause a really good vibrations when they are really bad.
 
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Old Apr 13, 2013 | 02:52 AM
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have you had any work done to the truck lately?

I had a similar problem once caused by a loose pinion nut at the rear diff.

maybe mud stuck to a rim? check your tires for broken belts too.

 
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Old Apr 13, 2013 | 05:48 AM
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What you're describing sounds an awful lot like the old death wobble that used to plague a lot of older trucks with tie rod steering and coil spring suspensions. I've had that problem with my 86. Death wobble is usually the result of oscillation in the front end caused by overall looseness in the steering system. It could be a bear to find the cause.

Although our suspensions are very different, there are still some causes of the death wobble that could be present in our trucks. Besides the things already mentioned like the coil overs, check for loose nuts on the tie rod ends, loose bolts on the rack mounts, loose or worn wheel bearings, and bad or missing bushings in the steering system. The squeaking sound you're hearing also supports that it could be one or more of these things.
 
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Old Apr 13, 2013 | 06:24 AM
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Does the squeaking turn into any other type of noise such as a growling or grinding noise?

Does the steering wheel also shake violently?

Does it do this when 4x4 is engaged? If so, more, less or the same?

Do you have issues engaging 4x4? Does it make a noise when 4x4 is engaged?
 
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Old Apr 13, 2013 | 08:25 AM
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Originally Posted by meborder
have you had any work done to the truck lately?

I had a similar problem once caused by a loose pinion nut at the rear diff.

maybe mud stuck to a rim? check your tires for broken belts too.

Yes I had new rotors and pads for the front
 
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Old Apr 13, 2013 | 08:29 AM
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[QUOTE=tseekins;13059564]Does the squeaking turn into any other type of noise such as a growling or grinding noise?

Does the steering wheel also shake violently?

Does it do this when 4x4 is engaged? If so, more, less or the same?

Do you have issues engaging 4x4? Does it make a noise when 4x4 is engaged? No growling or grinding. Steering doesn't really shake.. Just the truck entirely.. Ill have to check the 4x4 when I get home
 
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Old Apr 13, 2013 | 09:04 AM
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loose rack bolts or worn out bushings at the rack would cause the death wobble, if that's what you're describing.

bad inner and outer tierod ends might create enough slop to cause it too.

you running stock size tires?

your mechanic should have noticed a bad wheel bearing when the brakes were done.

bout all you can do at this point is to jack a wheel and see where you can find play. or get your mechanic to go for a drive with you.

check your lug nuts too, i've had people not tighten them properly in the past, so it's the first thing i check when someone touches my wheels anymore.

i think we still need more info .... just not sure what.
 
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Old Apr 13, 2013 | 08:24 PM
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Something else to consider is broken belts in the tire or tires. That can cause a higher speed vibration.
 
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Old Apr 14, 2013 | 12:48 PM
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Family emergency so the truck will sit for now.. I will repost when I got her fixed.. Thanks for all the suggestions!!
 
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Old Apr 14, 2013 | 01:08 PM
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Great minds often think alike. just something to be sure to check, that's all.

good luck with your family, i truly hope everything is OK.

Originally Posted by efx4
Something else to consider is broken belts in the tire or tires. That can cause a higher speed vibration.
Originally Posted by meborder

check your tires for broken belts too.
 
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