Shake at around 70mph
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
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Shake at around 70mph
I've had a shake in my steering wheel for the past six months that I've been unsucceful in getting rid of. I've had the tires balanced by two different places with no success. I've got about 35K on my current set of tires, which are BF Goodrich Radial Longtrail T/A's. I have them rotated about every 6000 miles. Anybody have any ideas on what to do? This sure seems like it should be solvable, I used to be steady as a rock.
Thanks..........
Thanks..........
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Delaware
Shake at around 70mph
I've got a 99 5.4 XLT and am experiencing the same problem you described. Steering wheel shimmys at around 65-70 mph despite having my tires balanced and aligned. I also have good tires (Yokohama Geolandar). I'm having my tires rotated and balanced (Yet again) this weekend and will let you know the results. Good thing I purchased the lifetime wheel balancing at NTB for as long as you own your tires. I think it's money well spent. For now, I cannot see myself buying new tires with my son going to school soon and tuition....aaahhhh
Drive Safe,
Dan
Drive Safe,
Dan
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
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Shake at around 70mph
My problem seemed to have started when I had them balanced by Tires Plus (It wasn't broke and I shouldn't have attempted to fix it). I went back to have them redone with no success. They screwed them up and couldn't fix them. I took them to one more place (A mieneke dealer who does tires also) and they got a little better but not good enough. I will likely take them to another tire place. I have a buddy who had a similar problem on his Ford Ranger and ended up finding a small tire place that finally got it right. It just seems like it shouldn't be that complicated to fix.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Newport News Virginia
Shake at around 70mph
I'm in the Air Force and have a part time job at Sears Automotive. Now, believe it or not, I've got about seven years experience with tires and from my experience, with a top heavy vehicle, the BF Goodrich Long Trail feathers and experiences minor cupping on the outside. The more weight you have and the higher up, when you turn, pressure is put on the outside of the tires and the rubber is actually pushed up. Then, if you rotate your tires in a cross-rotation, you will experience further problems. The rubber on a tire is actually pushed one direction when on a vehicle and drastically pushed in heavy vehicles, if you cross-rotate the tires it will push the rubber the opposite direction and cause the damage I described above. This will cause a roaring sound at various speeds and a vibration or shaking too. Go to a Michelin XCLT4, standard load range, rotate every oil change and you won't have another problem. What's my point? It's probably your tires......
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Delaware
Shake at around 70mph
Hey, thanks for that reply. At this point I'm willing to try anything
What I'll have NTB guys do is to have the same side tires swapped (i.e. right side - switch front with rear tires) and of course have them check the tire pressure (i.e. 30 psi front, 35 psi rear).
BTW, the former owner of my expy had Michelin's on (my spare has it too). Thanks for sharing your experience with us....keep those planes flying.
Drive Safe,
Dan
What I'll have NTB guys do is to have the same side tires swapped (i.e. right side - switch front with rear tires) and of course have them check the tire pressure (i.e. 30 psi front, 35 psi rear).BTW, the former owner of my expy had Michelin's on (my spare has it too). Thanks for sharing your experience with us....keep those planes flying.
Drive Safe,
Dan
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: All over Texas
Shake at around 70mph
Most higher speed vibrations are caused by tire problems, usually balance. There are no guarantees with any shop either. I had a Merc Mountaineer a few years ago and wasn't having any ride problems, but decided to have the tires/wheels rotated and balanced at a neighborhood Goodyear store because I was road tripping the next day. My truck never rode very smoothly after the balance job, but not more than 100 miles into my journey I started throwing weights and the vehicle was nearly unbearable. Long story short, I had the tires/wheels rebalanced at a different place and got my money refunded from Goodyear.
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Delaware
Shake at around 70mph
Originally posted by jswanberg10
The sticker on my door jam recommends 26 psi in the front and 30 psi in the rear tires.... Does yours say the same or the 30/36 psi?
The sticker on my door jam recommends 26 psi in the front and 30 psi in the rear tires.... Does yours say the same or the 30/36 psi?
Safe driving,
Dan
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
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Shake at around 70mph
Here's what I've ran into. I just bought an 03 EB and there was a vibration so I asked the dealer to balance the wheels. Now I have a shimmie or as you may say a shake in the steering wheel. I noticed they used lead weights and only put them on the outside. I had this happen on a Honda I had and the shimmie went away once they used the sticky weights. They can also split the difference and if it needs an ounce in one spot they can put .5 on the outside and .5 on the inside. I take it back Monday and hopefully they can fix this and the MANY other problems I have encountered in the 3 weeks I have had it. I had a 98 XLT and put 115000 trouble free miles on it.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Newport News Virginia
Shake at around 70mph
Why? They're great tires and I love mine. I went through two sets of Goodyears before putting them on my 2000 and it is SO smooth. I've got 14000 on mine right now and they've only wore 1/32 and have no feathering or cupping. I highly recommend Continentals for stricktly on-road/highway driving.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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Shake at around 70mph
I think some tires just "give out" do to poor construction. My last Expy had the original General Grabbers on it with about 30k. No one could get the shake out of them. The shop even showed me where they were in balance according to 2 machines.
As for the Continentals, after 9k on my 03, they have been performing fine. Much better than the Generals that used to come on the truck. Wish I could say that for the rest of the vehicle.
As for the Continentals, after 9k on my 03, they have been performing fine. Much better than the Generals that used to come on the truck. Wish I could say that for the rest of the vehicle.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 644
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Shake at around 70mph
I think some tires just "give out" do to poor construction. My last Expy had the original General Grabbers on it with about 30k. No one could get the shake out of them. The shop even showed me where they were in balance according to 2 machines.
As for the Continentals, after 9k on my 03, they have been performing fine. Much better than the Generals that used to come on the truck. Wish I could say that for the rest of the vehicle.
As for the Continentals, after 9k on my 03, they have been performing fine. Much better than the Generals that used to come on the truck. Wish I could say that for the rest of the vehicle.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 186
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From: Newport News Virginia
Shake at around 70mph
Thank you for the back about the Continentals. I agree totally. What's weird is that Continental is a higher grade of General tires.
What is going on with everybody's 03' Expeditions? Are they really that bad?
What is going on with everybody's 03' Expeditions? Are they really that bad?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 166
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From: Delaware
Shake at around 70mph
Good morning to everyone on the board.....here's an update:
Took my truck yesterday to NTB for balancing (free for life of tires) and rotation - I did what was earlier suggested - same side tires to be switched (i.e. right side - switch front to back not cross over rotation). Bingo!!
I now have full control of my truck and no shimmy nor vibration at speeds 65-70 mph and above. I even have a speeding ticket to prove it
Oh well, better than having to pay for 4 new tires on these babies. Thanks to all that replied.
Drive Safe,
Dan
Took my truck yesterday to NTB for balancing (free for life of tires) and rotation - I did what was earlier suggested - same side tires to be switched (i.e. right side - switch front to back not cross over rotation). Bingo!!
I now have full control of my truck and no shimmy nor vibration at speeds 65-70 mph and above. I even have a speeding ticket to prove it
Oh well, better than having to pay for 4 new tires on these babies. Thanks to all that replied.
Drive Safe,
Dan