Front end vibration / shimmy
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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Front end vibration / shimmy
I'm running BF Goodrich All-Terrain tires (probably 1/2 worn out) and there is a strange shimmy that shows up periodically, depending on the road surface. It happens between 45-50 mph and goes away if I speed up or slow down. I've had the front end checked out twice and the local mechanic says there's nothing wrong mechanically. Even after tire rotation & balance, it goes away then eventually comes back. The mechanic says it's the aggressive knobby tread and that he's seen this a lot on these trucks.
Anybody elese have this problem? Thanks!
Anybody elese have this problem? Thanks!
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 131
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From: Romulus, Michigan
does it have a two piece driveshaft,and yes it can make it feel like it's coming from the front of the truck I went through a lot of grief until a diesel mechanic jumped under my truck and said "yep thats what I thought" this might not be your problem I was just giving you another possibility
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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Yes, it does have a 2 pc. driveshaft....it's bizarre that the driveshaft can make it feel like it's coming from the front end! I'm going to be putting it in the shop soon for exhaust upgrade & gauges, and I think I may have a glow plug or two going bad, so I'll have them check this out too. Thanks!
New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 24
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From: Austin, TX
My 03 F350 2WD V10 work truck began doing the same thing. Ford installed a stock stabilizer bar kit and new tires and it took care of it. From what I understand, its pretty easy to do. The mounting holes are there, Ford just doesn't put it on every vehicle for some reason. Ford told me that all 4WD should have it installed from the factory. Good Luck
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 168
Likes: 7
From: Northern CA
I had the exact same problem in my 97 PSD 4x4. It was the front upper right ball joint. You probably have a bad one.
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Senior User
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Thanks for the input, everybody. I'll bet it's ball joints and maybe tie rods need replacing as well. At 111K, I'm sure it's a worn part on the front end, but I'll check the carrier bearing too. A one-piece driveshaft sounds like a good idea, too. It's only money!! I'm finding that I could EASILY spend another $20K and build the ultimate truck!
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NJ
At 111k, I think it a safe bet to say its the ball joints. From what I understand, they usually only last 1ook or therabouts, less w/ bigger tires. I had to replace mine @ 120k,they were so worn out they made the tread separate on my front tires. Good luck.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 168
Likes: 7
From: Northern CA
Rotating the tires may solve it for now, but I would take the time to check and see why the tire went bad. Look at the tread wear. I also had a bad tire but it had been worn down by the bad ball joint in the first place. I ended up replacing the ball joint and bought 4 fresh tires all the way around.
Yeah, it hurt the pocket book now, but I also want to keep my truck for a long, long time.
Yeah, it hurt the pocket book now, but I also want to keep my truck for a long, long time.
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Put her in for tire rotation and brake check and had the mechanic check out the front end - everything is tight and in good shape. I'm having a steering damper installed. MUCH cheaper than fixing things that ain't broke....We'll see if that fixes it, I'll let you all know....
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: The land of Corn & Beans
We had to replace both front wheel bearing hubs. I found a website that had more than one customer complaint alot of them stating that the problem started between 12,000- 15,000 miles. It fixed our problem. Now there's a new shimmy and pull to the right just had new tires & an alignment. I think we are going to drive out to Colorado and hit a custom shop that I found out there that does lift kits they have after market parts that are supposed to be much improved.