Front end vibration - FIXED!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 197
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta
Front end vibration - FIXED!
Finally.... after ~30k miles, new tires, new shocks, new ball joints, alignment, wheels re-balanced five(!) times by four different shops (including road force balance), numerous google search sessions finding lots of similar complaints with no resolutions... all of which did not solve the problem, I think I've fixed the front end vibration. The wheel bearings! After re-tightening both sides per repair manual procedure, an initial test drive shows the problem gone! 70-75mph with no issues!
It's a fairly simple and easy process (and free!), so definitely something to try first before all of the other items listed above... :-\
The vibration usually manifested itself 69-75mph, but only after driving a while to where everything would get up to temperature. I'm still cautiously optimistic, but have a 18 hour trip coming up that will fully put it to the test. I'll follow up with confirmation (or tears of sorrow) if it's not fixed...
Hopefully this helps someone else with the "unsolvable" vibration felt through the steering wheel.
It's a fairly simple and easy process (and free!), so definitely something to try first before all of the other items listed above... :-\
The vibration usually manifested itself 69-75mph, but only after driving a while to where everything would get up to temperature. I'm still cautiously optimistic, but have a 18 hour trip coming up that will fully put it to the test. I'll follow up with confirmation (or tears of sorrow) if it's not fixed...
Hopefully this helps someone else with the "unsolvable" vibration felt through the steering wheel.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 197
Likes: 4
From: Atlanta
After removing grease cap, cotter pin, and lock cap, spin wheel counter-clockwise while torquing spindle nut to 17-25 ft-lb.
Stop wheel (do not spin), loosen spindle nut 1/2 turn.
Retorque spindle nut to 22-25 in-lb (note that this is INCH-POUNDS, not foot-pounds as is listed above.
Reassemble lock cap, cotter pin, and grease cap.
VERY SAD!!! (and expensive!) The state of many auto shops today... :-(
Stop wheel (do not spin), loosen spindle nut 1/2 turn.
Retorque spindle nut to 22-25 in-lb (note that this is INCH-POUNDS, not foot-pounds as is listed above.
Reassemble lock cap, cotter pin, and grease cap.
VERY SAD!!! (and expensive!) The state of many auto shops today... :-(
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
As for the grease cap--make sure they fit tight into the hub. I had my front rotors and bearings replaced, one side grease cap didn't fit snugly as would be normal. After a few miles it fell off inside the dog dish wheel cover making a small grease mess inside. Reinstalled it a few times only to have it keep falling out so finally ordered new ones from Ford---about $9 a pair direct from the dealer. If those don't fit snugly its a good idea to consider replacing them. Then again those so rarely need replaced its understandably overlooked.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 411
Likes: 7
From: Proctorsville VT
Just replaced wheel bearings on my '04 E350 at 92K mi (parts I used are linked below- I gave up on finding non Chinese made). Never had high speed vibrations but a noticeable rotation grind/groan occurred at a low speed hard left turn.
The spindle nut torque is not much, I will be double checking it in the next week or two for any change in seating.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...sn=588&jsn=588
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...427622&jsn=720
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...sn=805&jsn=805
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...427622&jsn=806
The spindle nut torque is not much, I will be double checking it in the next week or two for any change in seating.
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...sn=588&jsn=588
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...427622&jsn=720
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...sn=805&jsn=805
https://www.rockauto.com/en/moreinfo...427622&jsn=806
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Sadly RockAuto is becoming a site I avoid buying from unless its Motorcraft brand. Too many other products that are "off shore" produced, it does take more time and perhaps a bit more money to find anything but Chinese crap. Lucky for me I have enough of both most days.
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