Front end stutter / vibration
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 3
From: Broad Run, Va
Front end stutter / vibration
Hello all, i have a studder / vibration i cant find in the front end. I thought it was a hanging caliper, so i just replaced all the front brake components, calipers, rotors, pads. studder / vibration remains. in march 2020 i just replaced both front wheel hubs with the Moog 515020 series, so I dont think it is that but not ruling it out; I checked for play in the front hubs but there is no movement in the tire in or out, and there is no noise from the hubs. I also thought it might just be a wheel out of balance, so I had all 4 wheels road force balanced. did not resolve the problem.
ball joints and linkages all appear to be tight. I jacked up by the frame and then raised and lowered the front axle to allow any play in the front end to reveal itself. I found nothing.
Any ideas?
ball joints and linkages all appear to be tight. I jacked up by the frame and then raised and lowered the front axle to allow any play in the front end to reveal itself. I found nothing.
Any ideas?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 1,919
From: Ponca City, OK
2x4 or 4x4? The stub shaft on 4x4's have a small piolet bearing on the inner side of hub. If the bearings went out on your old hubs and damaged the stub shafts new hubs can still have a vibration caused by the shaft.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,613
Likes: 106
From: Albuquerque
Have you checked if your steering gear is tight? This video explains how to do it:
https://youtu.be/t4CzYFu6bLs
https://youtu.be/t4CzYFu6bLs
i was just looking into this, thanks for the video!
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 3
From: Broad Run, Va
it is a 4x4..
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 3
From: Broad Run, Va
I'm not hearing any noises, not seeing any worn parts... must be an internal component that I wont see until I pull it apart. Or just throw parts at it which I dont like doing.
Could a problem in the rear cause this sensation in the front end?
Could a problem in the rear cause this sensation in the front end?
FTE Chapter Leader
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 13,125
Likes: 4,726
From: Henderson, NV
Yes, a worn rear end can cause strange shimmy sensations.
Are you feeling it more in your hands through the steering wheel or more in your butt through your seat. More like front end if the former, more likely rear end if the latter. This is more a rule of thumb than proven engineering/science.
Are you feeling it more in your hands through the steering wheel or more in your butt through your seat. More like front end if the former, more likely rear end if the latter. This is more a rule of thumb than proven engineering/science.
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 3
From: Broad Run, Va
Yes, a worn rear end can cause strange shimmy sensations.
Are you feeling it more in your hands through the steering wheel or more in your butt through your seat. More like front end if the former, more likely rear end if the latter. This is more a rule of thumb than proven engineering/science.
Are you feeling it more in your hands through the steering wheel or more in your butt through your seat. More like front end if the former, more likely rear end if the latter. This is more a rule of thumb than proven engineering/science.
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Brett Foote
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 1,919
From: Ponca City, OK
Then maybe driveline could be worth a look. Chock the wheel, put it in neutral and start shaking and twisting U-joints. The carrier bearing is a possibility as well and how long since you greased your slip yoke
also just remembered, check the bolts on your U-joint hold downs. I had 1 get loose on me and ruined the U-joint and the rear pinion yoke as well
also just remembered, check the bolts on your U-joint hold downs. I had 1 get loose on me and ruined the U-joint and the rear pinion yoke as well
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,573
Likes: 4
From: Seattle
As mentioned earlier, it could be the stub axle needle bearings. Keep the transfer case in 2 wheel drive, lock the hubs, and drive around a few blocks. If this eliminates your vibration, it's pretty likely the needle bearings are shot.
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,129
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From: Ponca City, OK
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 3
From: Broad Run, Va
Then maybe driveline could be worth a look. Chock the wheel, put it in neutral and start shaking and twisting U-joints. The carrier bearing is a possibility as well and how long since you greased your slip yoke
also just remembered, check the bolts on your U-joint hold downs. I had 1 get loose on me and ruined the U-joint and the rear pinion yoke as well
also just remembered, check the bolts on your U-joint hold downs. I had 1 get loose on me and ruined the U-joint and the rear pinion yoke as well
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 3
From: Broad Run, Va
well... on my way to the beach on Sat.... no resolution to the out of balance feeling vibration (like a tire out of balance).... pulling a trailer to the beach as well. I guess if its gonna break.. i'll find out what was wrong... !!! 
unless it kills me!!!! 
I have replaced all the front brake parts (calipers/rotors/pads)... thinking of replacing rear as well.... they are rusty but have good pad width. they could be old and semi locked up.
other than that, the problem is internal to rear wheel bearings, differential bearings, or something else i cant even think of.
wish me luck!!
Andy
unless it kills me!!!! I have replaced all the front brake parts (calipers/rotors/pads)... thinking of replacing rear as well.... they are rusty but have good pad width. they could be old and semi locked up.
other than that, the problem is internal to rear wheel bearings, differential bearings, or something else i cant even think of.
wish me luck!!
Andy
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,487
Likes: 217
pull the front driveshaft off and see if the vibration goes away. I had a seized joint on a service truck and it caused a similar symptom.
also check the front U joints on the stub shafts. Especially if they are original.
the small needle bearing on the inside of the front hubs can be purchased separately. I bought a set of caged bearing style which imo are better than the tightly packed/stacked needle bearing that comes with the hub as you can pack more grease in there. I’ll post up the part number when I get home in the morning. I think the bearing s run 3-4 bucks. They are cheap. I repack once a year.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 3
From: Broad Run, Va
pull the front driveshaft off and see if the vibration goes away. I had a seized joint on a service truck and it caused a similar symptom.
also check the front U joints on the stub shafts. Especially if they are original.
the small needle bearing on the inside of the front hubs can be purchased separately. I bought a set of caged bearing style which imo are better than the tightly packed/stacked needle bearing that comes with the hub as you can pack more grease in there. I’ll post up the part number when I get home in the morning. I think the bearing s run 3-4 bucks. They are cheap. I repack once a year.
also check the front U joints on the stub shafts. Especially if they are original.
the small needle bearing on the inside of the front hubs can be purchased separately. I bought a set of caged bearing style which imo are better than the tightly packed/stacked needle bearing that comes with the hub as you can pack more grease in there. I’ll post up the part number when I get home in the morning. I think the bearing s run 3-4 bucks. They are cheap. I repack once a year.