Tire bubble
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From: Southern SC.
Tire bubble
I am having a problem with the beast having a vibration when it hits
about 30 mph. I checked to be sure all bolts were tight on wheels. Also looked to see if I could tell if I lost a balance weight and it does not look like it. The universals on this are very different and rubber see pic below. I checked front wheels for sideways movement when jack up and did not feel any. But I did find a small bubble on the left front tire and wonder if that could be the cause of the vibration? What are your thoughts? I plan on replacing it no matter what. Yes I know I should replace the whole thing with a 48-56 fat fender Ford pickup but my back and leg problems prevent that frond happening. Thanks for any help.
about 30 mph. I checked to be sure all bolts were tight on wheels. Also looked to see if I could tell if I lost a balance weight and it does not look like it. The universals on this are very different and rubber see pic below. I checked front wheels for sideways movement when jack up and did not feel any. But I did find a small bubble on the left front tire and wonder if that could be the cause of the vibration? What are your thoughts? I plan on replacing it no matter what. Yes I know I should replace the whole thing with a 48-56 fat fender Ford pickup but my back and leg problems prevent that frond happening. Thanks for any help.
Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Central Illinois
Does the vibration go away, change, or get worse faster than 30 mph? The front suspension of your Studebaker might be different than others, but putting it on a rack to check ball joints, tie rod ends, and even shock absorbers seems in order. Broken cords on that tire could also be the whole problem. Stu
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Stu it gets worse the faster I go. I've not driven it very far as I did not want to cause more problems. The whole front end was rebuilt about two years ago. I've taken it on a few 300 mile trips and it rolled straight and true. I've checked for broken parts or loose parts and did not find any. I put it up on stands and checked for wheel play and found none. That's when I saw the bubble and thought maybe that's the problem. I'm hoping it's not the universal as they are not available anywhere. That would mean a complete rework of the shaft, trans and differential yokes.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2014
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From: Madera Ranchos
Tire separation will cause those symptoms. Tire separation is when the steel belts separate from the rubber in spots and creates soft spots where when the tire rolls over it movement is created. Put the spare on it and drive and see if the results are different. Sometimes moving the suspected front tire to the rear will shed a clue.
Marmon-Herrington Man
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Central Illinois
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2012
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From: Southern SC.
I just switched the tire and the spare. Will take it out and test it then let you know. I also pulled drum just to be sure it wasn't something with the brake and it looked ok.
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From: W. Central FL.
How old are those tires, Dave? From the checking, I would guess pretty old! I was of the impression you installed tires when you got home from TS16.
If this vibration came up suddenly, I would guess a bad shock or tire or tires.
How about that universal joint? It does not take much for a U joint to cause a vibration.
Is it a high frequency, such as engine speed, drive shaft, or low frequency such as tire inducted? If you kick the "beast" out of gear and let it coast, does the vibration change?
If this vibration came up suddenly, I would guess a bad shock or tire or tires.
How about that universal joint? It does not take much for a U joint to cause a vibration.
Is it a high frequency, such as engine speed, drive shaft, or low frequency such as tire inducted? If you kick the "beast" out of gear and let it coast, does the vibration change?
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Bummer it's the rear universal!!! Took it for a test drive and same thing. Put it up on jack stands and got under it. Could not wiggle the drive shaft. I pulled it back a little and it moves side to side about a half inch each direction. What could I expect from 78 year old rubber!
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Ray June of 2011 so not that old. They are General 6.00 x 16 4 ply polyester
With tubes. I got a nail in the right rear when I pull in to the subdivision coming home from TS. I just put a new tube in it and it was fine.
With tubes. I got a nail in the right rear when I pull in to the subdivision coming home from TS. I just put a new tube in it and it was fine.
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Ross you hit the nail on the head. I just got it out and one of the rubber/wire connectors fell out. I am taking the shaft and two end to a drive shaft repair place tomorrow to see if they can make regular needle ends and the correct length shaft for it. That and a set of new tires but what else do I have not o spend $$ on.
