Suspension Help - Bad Shake
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Suspension Help - Bad Shake
Hey guys,
I need some help! I know it's hard to diagnosis issues like these over the internet, but I'm looking for ideas. Replaced my wife's AC compressor and then her vehicle had a shake to it. Already had purchased Moog ball joints, sway bar end links, and tie rod ends, so this forced me to go ahead and do that. Her shake has gotten worse, it's now like a death wobble. People told me track bar bushings, so while I was out of town I ordered a new Moog bar with bushings, but her Excursion doesn't have one. Any idea if she's supposed to have one? I don't even see mounting points, really.
I've got new tires in the works as we speak, so that's next ontop of a new alignment, although the alignment in the truck seems pretty darn good as is.
It's a 2003 Excursion RWD 6.0. Please share your ideas before I take it to a shop and get robbed, lol.
I need some help! I know it's hard to diagnosis issues like these over the internet, but I'm looking for ideas. Replaced my wife's AC compressor and then her vehicle had a shake to it. Already had purchased Moog ball joints, sway bar end links, and tie rod ends, so this forced me to go ahead and do that. Her shake has gotten worse, it's now like a death wobble. People told me track bar bushings, so while I was out of town I ordered a new Moog bar with bushings, but her Excursion doesn't have one. Any idea if she's supposed to have one? I don't even see mounting points, really.
I've got new tires in the works as we speak, so that's next ontop of a new alignment, although the alignment in the truck seems pretty darn good as is.
It's a 2003 Excursion RWD 6.0. Please share your ideas before I take it to a shop and get robbed, lol.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,576
Likes: 41
From: Wyoming
According to moog it should have a track bar.
http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/moog-rk661217
I don't have 2wd excursions but I don't think moog would offer a track bar for a vehicle that ain't supposed to have one.
http://www.moog-suspension-parts.com/moog-rk661217
I don't have 2wd excursions but I don't think moog would offer a track bar for a vehicle that ain't supposed to have one.
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If anyone has a RWD Excursion that has a track bar, please post a photo. Itd be greatly appreciated!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
There's no track bar on a 2wd truck. A track bar centers the leaf-sprung axle which isn't otherwise attached to the frame.
Something has to be loose. Jack up the front end and start moving stuff around. Replace whatever shows excessive play. Also check the rear driveline for bad u-joints and it might be a good time to grease the slip joint if you have one.
Something has to be loose. Jack up the front end and start moving stuff around. Replace whatever shows excessive play. Also check the rear driveline for bad u-joints and it might be a good time to grease the slip joint if you have one.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,259
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From: Northern California
Some Linked suspension designs us a track bar but the RWD Ex does not because the I beams served the function of locating lateral movement.
A trac bar would be redundant. However the bushings in your I beams ( labeled axle ) can wear out the same as a track bar bushing.
A trac bar would be redundant. However the bushings in your I beams ( labeled axle ) can wear out the same as a track bar bushing.
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Thanks for the replies, guys! I'm not sure why Moog lists a track bar for my RWD Excursion then, but oh well. I suppose I'll send that back. I took a shot in the dark with being out of town, that's what I get.
As for the play in the suspension, I have no idea what else it could be. I'm going to get new tires mounted and balanced as well as an alignment next, maybe I just really screwed up the tie-rod ends (I counted threads and did measure). If that doesn't do it, maybe onto the steering area I go? Thanks again for the confirmation!
As for the play in the suspension, I have no idea what else it could be. I'm going to get new tires mounted and balanced as well as an alignment next, maybe I just really screwed up the tie-rod ends (I counted threads and did measure). If that doesn't do it, maybe onto the steering area I go? Thanks again for the confirmation!
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Northern California
If you replaced tie rod ends then for sure you should have an alignment done next.
As a rule of thumb 80% of the time the vibration/shake comes from the tire/rim.
Once you get the tires balanced and verify no bent rims then work your way in, wheel bearings, brake rotor, ball joints, I beam bushings, radius arm bushing.
Once you check the suspension check the steering in the same order, outside inward. Tie rod ends, pitman arm, steering gear, coupler, collapse coupled.
As a rule of thumb 80% of the time the vibration/shake comes from the tire/rim.
Once you get the tires balanced and verify no bent rims then work your way in, wheel bearings, brake rotor, ball joints, I beam bushings, radius arm bushing.
Once you check the suspension check the steering in the same order, outside inward. Tie rod ends, pitman arm, steering gear, coupler, collapse coupled.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: North Texas
As a first check, I would rotate the front tires to the back and vice versa. That might tell you if a tire is failing. I have had a tire fail internally and look fine on the outside but shake like crazy while driving. Unless this shaking is only when braking?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Blue Springs, mo
Whoa whoa whoa. You said you installed a new ac compressor and then it developed a shake. Maybe you sound inspect your work on the compressor and any associated parts in the belt drive system. So are you sure the shake is from the driveline or is it from the engine?
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If you replaced tie rod ends then for sure you should have an alignment done next.
As a rule of thumb 80% of the time the vibration/shake comes from the tire/rim.
Once you get the tires balanced and verify no bent rims then work your way in, wheel bearings, brake rotor, ball joints, I beam bushings, radius arm bushing.
Once you check the suspension check the steering in the same order, outside inward. Tie rod ends, pitman arm, steering gear, coupler, collapse coupled.
As a rule of thumb 80% of the time the vibration/shake comes from the tire/rim.
Once you get the tires balanced and verify no bent rims then work your way in, wheel bearings, brake rotor, ball joints, I beam bushings, radius arm bushing.
Once you check the suspension check the steering in the same order, outside inward. Tie rod ends, pitman arm, steering gear, coupler, collapse coupled.
Yup, started after replacing the compressor. Already inspected my work, everything is just fine. This isn't an engine shake by any means, for sure suspension related. Only thing that was touched doing the AC compressor was one front tire (taken off), inner fender liner, and the belt. Perhaps it was just coincidental it started after that, beats me.
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