Hello All,

Back yet again for some advice with an issue. My 95 F150 5.0 Has always had this issue since i got it in the winter but now with driving more on the interstate its time to get it fixed, Drives fine until i hit about 55 MPH, anything over that the whole front end shakes like crazy, i've only taken it to about 65 because it shakes so much, Shock absorbers were replaced about 2 weeks ago so i know its not that, Might be the tie rods? i grab the ends ( outer rods on both sides ) and i can move them back and forth very slightly without any effort, not sure when to much play is bad with them, but what are you guys thought on this? Also my steering wheel has about 2-3 inches of free play before the wheels are actually effected which makes it really hard driving at greater speeds to keep it on the road. Truck drives straight though for the most part.

Any help on the shaking ( and lose steering ) will be much of help

Thanks

 

Jack up the front end. Grab tire at 6 & 12 o'clock position. Try to rock it. Any play is either loose wheel bearing or worn ball joints. Have to watch where the play is to differentiate ball joints from bearing. Next grab at 3 & 9. Try to rock it, play here is tie rods or wheel bearing. Next, lower truck to ground. Place a person in drivers seat and have the turn the wheel back and forth while you watch the tie rods & other steering components for play. Replace anything that isn't tight. Also, the axle pivot bushings like to die in these TTB axles too, same with radius arm bushings. Replace all that and it'll drive well. Also watch for play in the steering gear (input turns but pitman movement is delayed).

 

How's the wheel balance?
Scott

 

Thank you for those tips, i will check them first thing in the morning and report back results
Im not to sure how to check the balance on them, tires look "newer" not sure how old but id say less then 50k miles on them

 

Wheel balance was an excellent idea. Just went through this. Had them rotated a year ago and the truck just got to shaking and vibrating terrible above 60 mph. Took it back to tire shop and found out the front driver tire was off 3oz. And they went thru each tire and noticed they were off just a bit.

 

Boy do i really hope its something this simple, Ill check everything under the front end in the morning and see whats going on, the truck is 20 years old and lived in ohio for its whole life that i know of so most the stuff is worn on the truck, just a matter of finding what needs fixed first...

Thanks for all the tips guys, always great asking help here, ill report in the morning

 

When you run it to the tire shop, ask them if they do a free alignment check or something... Never know- may pinpoint other issues!

Scott

 

Alright so jacked it up and started on the front left wheel, no play from 6 & 12, but quite a bit of play from 3 & 9, alot more then there should be. How do i go about seeing if its the tie rods or wheel bearing? Haven't done the right side yet but have a good guess its gonna be the same

Relooked while someone rocked it back and forth and the tie rod end was moving so it would be safe to say thats the issue for the left side

Edit~

Just did the right side as well and this time there is a bit of free play all the way around which would be wheel bearing?