front end vibration @ 55MPH only

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Jul 23, 2003 | 10:51 PM

gulf pilot

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Joined: Jul 2003

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From: N.W. NJ

front end vibration @ 55MPH only

I have an 85 ranger 2WD with a 5 speed. It has a horrible shudder right at 55 mph - not above, not below. Truck cruises great at 65-70 mph. I thought a wheel might be out of balance but, if this were the case, wouldn't the shudder be more pronounced as i go faster? anyone know of any quirks in the front end that might be causing this or is one of the wheels out of balance?

Jul 23, 2003 | 11:06 PM

Rockledge

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From: Connecticut

front end vibration @ 55MPH only

Maybe try swapping your wheels around (make sure the tires have proper air in them) to see if the same condition persists or if it changes.

Jul 24, 2003 | 05:14 AM

droptop

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front end vibration @ 55MPH only

Quote:

Originally posted by gulf pilot
Truck cruises great at 65-70 mph. I thought a wheel might be out of balance but, if this were the case, wouldn't the shudder be more pronounced as i go faster?

Maybe, but not always. I dropped a wheel weight off my right front wheel and didn't realize it. Had a funny shudder at 60-63 MPH. When I went faster, it dissapeared. I know, goes against logical thought, but that's what happened. Also, years ago I had a vehicle that you could feel a rear end vibration only at 45 MPH. I could feel it literally in the seat of my pants, but that was the only place I could feel it. Got the typical "they all do that" answer so I went to another dealer. As it turned out, the rear rims were out of round.

Jul 24, 2003 | 06:57 AM

PSKSAM2

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Joined: Mar 2003

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From: Randolph, NJ

front end vibration @ 55MPH only

Yeah, check the tires/rims first. If you know someone who can check the balance for you quick, even better.

You are probably just hitting the right frequency at 55MPH and what you feel is the vibration resonating your front suspension at that speed. Go slower or faster and the system response will be lower. Weird, until you do the math of a second-order spring-mass-damper system.