Back from what? did you have work done to it? Does the truck have a lift in it? If so did you properly shim the driveline angle?
vibration
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
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vibration
i have got my 79 f150 back and every once in a while it picks up a vibration. it is usually around 45 mph and when i am slowing down. it can be fairly violent at times. i put in new u joints not too long ago and it is a one piece driveshaft. it doesnt seem to be a tire out of balance but im not for sure. any ideas would be appreciated.
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
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From: Southern NJ
I had this problem with my 78. Drove it for a month trying to figure out what the problem was, and it was the simplest thing. The steering gearbox had coem loose from the frame. Torque those bolts down to the stops 
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
Josh,
I need a bit more than that.
Is it a 2wd or 4wd?
Does the vibe come through the steering wheel! Does it shake the wheel?
Does braking effect the vibe?
Can you repeat the shake everytime?
Does the vibration cycle (ebb and flow)?
KingFisher
I need a bit more than that.
Is it a 2wd or 4wd?
Does the vibe come through the steering wheel! Does it shake the wheel?
Does braking effect the vibe?
Can you repeat the shake everytime?
Does the vibration cycle (ebb and flow)?
KingFisher
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
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its 4 wheel drive and we just had the motor overhauled. put new wheel bearings. im gonna go get the tires balanced and the front end aligned. it didnt seem to do it today. it aint through the steering wheel. there is no lift. and it doesnt shake everytime. ima check out a bunch of stuff as soon as i can. thanks for the help guys
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 33
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When you get your alignement done they should be able to tell you if your gear box is bad or loose. I still sounds like the gear box to me....My truck had the same symptoms.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
All,
If it doesn't shake the steering wheel, then its not in the front end.
That leaves:
Rearend, (axles) Brake drums, tires, driveshaft, transfer case. rear wheels.
Kingfisher
If it doesn't shake the steering wheel, then its not in the front end.
That leaves:
Rearend, (axles) Brake drums, tires, driveshaft, transfer case. rear wheels.
Kingfisher
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Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 259
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From: Mount Sunapee, NH
I have this same type of problem with my 79 F250 4x4. Mine is def. in the rear of the truck. I have had this problem for 3 years now and its really annoying. I noticed this right after a did a body swap on this truck which makes no sense to me why it would vibrate. For all those things you have mentioned concerning the rear of the truck, how would you check each of of them so I can finally narrow it down and solve my problem?
Thanks,
Jeff
Thanks,
Jeff
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
All,
Let's go through it by the numbers:
1. Tires, swap front to rear and see if vibe comes through steering wheel instead.
2. Brake drums, have them turned or replace them.
3. Axle bearings (unlikely) you should have a seal leak that would accompany this sort of vibe. if they're not leaking they're probably OK.
4. Driveshaft, this is a tough one. Check u-joint for play, make sure they are center and hardware is tight. Do you have a two-piece driveshaft? make sure the yokes line-up.
5. Pinion gear, Check dirveshaft lash. Is there more than 1/4 play when rotating driveshaft clockwise then counterclockwise? Endplay, pull driveshaft in and out of rear end. it should move no more than .004 to .006 inches. If you can see it with your eye, it too loose.
KingFisher
Let's go through it by the numbers:
1. Tires, swap front to rear and see if vibe comes through steering wheel instead.
2. Brake drums, have them turned or replace them.
3. Axle bearings (unlikely) you should have a seal leak that would accompany this sort of vibe. if they're not leaking they're probably OK.
4. Driveshaft, this is a tough one. Check u-joint for play, make sure they are center and hardware is tight. Do you have a two-piece driveshaft? make sure the yokes line-up.
5. Pinion gear, Check dirveshaft lash. Is there more than 1/4 play when rotating driveshaft clockwise then counterclockwise? Endplay, pull driveshaft in and out of rear end. it should move no more than .004 to .006 inches. If you can see it with your eye, it too loose.
KingFisher
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 2
From: Gainesville, FL
All,
I've got a 78 f150 2WD, 351m/C6. it does the same thing. It comes and goes. It gets so bad, sometimes, it shakes the whole truck. I have to hold the steering wheel with both hands. Then it just goes away? Then it comes back, slowly at first and then it gets worse and worse and then it goes away. i don't drive it much, its a work truck so i just drive the hell out of it. I'll figure it out on of these days when i have time. i'll report then.
KingFisher
I've got a 78 f150 2WD, 351m/C6. it does the same thing. It comes and goes. It gets so bad, sometimes, it shakes the whole truck. I have to hold the steering wheel with both hands. Then it just goes away? Then it comes back, slowly at first and then it gets worse and worse and then it goes away. i don't drive it much, its a work truck so i just drive the hell out of it. I'll figure it out on of these days when i have time. i'll report then.
KingFisher
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 967
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From: Southern NJ
Wouldn't a bad tierod end also cause this, if one of the wheels isn't tracking right, the shake would occur. But you would definitely feel it in the steering wheel. Jack the front end and yank on everything
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 743
Likes: 1
Out of round tires, or tires that sat for a long time will do this same thing. It can be intermittent, or worse at some speeds than others. It will cause a slow shake that progressively gets worse no matter what you do. If you slow down it will usually stop, but will shake violently till you get slowed down. If you speed up it will literally tear the wheel out of your hands and head for the ditch.
Swap tires is only cure.
Swap tires is only cure.