cold shimmie
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Wichita KS
Im not going to buy off on the flat spotted tires.....if all tires did that enough that several new Ford owners are feeling it, then it would likely be a known issue that the industry would have discovered years ago. I could understand an isolated event though where someone may get stuck with one or more bad tires.
I have TOYO proxes on my truck as well as a 2" leveling kit. Ive never felt an ongoing vibration that occurs while driving in a straight line. I do however have a very noticeable vibration/shimmy when turning....expecially when its cold. It still happens occasionally when the truck is all warmed up though. I think time will tell more of the story as we go on......but I have a hard time believing that the problem is in the tires with that many trucks. There is no way its the problem on mine.....
I have TOYO proxes on my truck as well as a 2" leveling kit. Ive never felt an ongoing vibration that occurs while driving in a straight line. I do however have a very noticeable vibration/shimmy when turning....expecially when its cold. It still happens occasionally when the truck is all warmed up though. I think time will tell more of the story as we go on......but I have a hard time believing that the problem is in the tires with that many trucks. There is no way its the problem on mine.....
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From: Pryor
It IS the tires on almost all trucks. It is inherent to the mechanical and physical properties of tires. There is really NOTHING that can be done to fix it. Perhaps the new Tweels will not have this issue, but I can't help but think that they will have it too. It's simply a matter of a flexible material resting in one position for a long time and it is accentuated by the cold weather making the normally very flexible material slightly stiffer. The problem may also be accentuated a bit by the Ford's frame being SOOOOO stiff. I wouldn't think much of it. I get it on my Lightning. You can actually notice it on ANY vehicle if it sits long enough and the temp is cold enough.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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Dudes! It's not tires!!! I went through 4 sets of tires and I've had every TSB done.
From the clutch packs, steering gear, vibration dampening kit, and several tire balancing acts which were quite spectacular! :-)
Some trucks just have an incredible rebounce and haronics problem. It's doesn't seem like something that can be fixed with even a vibration dampening kit. If I am wrong, then why did I unanimously win with the DSB. It's not every truck as I've drove trucks which are fine. Mine was one of the unlucky few which has the mystery. Of course I have some of my own opinions, but that certainly doesn't matter now. I'm getting a refund however, I'm staying with Ford and moving to the F250.
I loved the looks, loved the power, loved the gas mileage, but nothing can drive you more nuts than a vibration problem without a real fix.
From the clutch packs, steering gear, vibration dampening kit, and several tire balancing acts which were quite spectacular! :-)
Some trucks just have an incredible rebounce and haronics problem. It's doesn't seem like something that can be fixed with even a vibration dampening kit. If I am wrong, then why did I unanimously win with the DSB. It's not every truck as I've drove trucks which are fine. Mine was one of the unlucky few which has the mystery. Of course I have some of my own opinions, but that certainly doesn't matter now. I'm getting a refund however, I'm staying with Ford and moving to the F250.
I loved the looks, loved the power, loved the gas mileage, but nothing can drive you more nuts than a vibration problem without a real fix.
Last edited by thenetguy; Jan 16, 2005 at 10:14 PM.
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From: Pryor
thenetguy,
If it happens like people were describing in this thread, that is, happens after sitting for a while especially in cooler weather and then goes away after the first few miles, then IT IS THE TIRES. And no matter how many sets you go through it will continue to happen. It is not a defective set of tires, it is the nature of rubber and rubber compunds and their elastic deformation under load. Your situation sounds like it must have been different.
If it happens like people were describing in this thread, that is, happens after sitting for a while especially in cooler weather and then goes away after the first few miles, then IT IS THE TIRES. And no matter how many sets you go through it will continue to happen. It is not a defective set of tires, it is the nature of rubber and rubber compunds and their elastic deformation under load. Your situation sounds like it must have been different.
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Guess I've seen too many "balancing acts" in my old age.
Owned at least a dozen trucks and never seen such a problem with "tires."
Especially from companies who usually put out better tires than the tires that come with these trucks. Really....tires alone? Maybe I'm just an old fool, but this old fool will now have a 250 instead.
Owned at least a dozen trucks and never seen such a problem with "tires."
Especially from companies who usually put out better tires than the tires that come with these trucks. Really....tires alone? Maybe I'm just an old fool, but this old fool will now have a 250 instead.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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bigsnag thanks for the information. In my case the torque converter lock up sounds like a better theory than the tires. Because when I notice the studder it is only when it is below 40 outside and seems more prominant to happen the first few miles when I make left hand turns which make me think it might be the diff. Anyhow I still don't think I will have the dealer touch because I am here in Florida and it does not get below 40 very often. It would be hard to get it to the dealer when the weather is right for them to check it anyhow.
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I'm in the same position...I live in SoCal, so it doesn't really get cold and since I don't have the "vibration" while driving in a straight line, I'm cautious about bringing it to the dealer for fear they may do something and I may end up getting the vibe. My "shudder" is definately temperature related, it was much warmer here this weekend and after sitting over night the shudder was almost nonexistent.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Sparks MD
Tires flat spotting?
Here is my problem with the flat spotting tires theroy.... I have owned several full sized trucks and driven many more. I have never felt a vibration in any of the other trucks I 've owned even if they sat for days before driving them. I don't doubt that tires do in fact flat spot to some degree after sitting in one place for a given amount of time. I think the issue comes back to how much of the vibration is coming back through the truck. If Flat spotting tires are the cause of the vibrations then the problem is much bigger than tires it comes back to the design of the truck.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Wichita KS
Parking your truck in the cold is not going to give the tires a flat spot that you are going to feel.....every time you get in it and drive it. That theory is rediculous!
If that was the case....the poor folks in north central US and canada (where its been 20-50 degrees below 0 for a week or so) would be driving on square tires.
If that was the case....the poor folks in north central US and canada (where its been 20-50 degrees below 0 for a week or so) would be driving on square tires.
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From: Pryor
Well, the FACT is, parking your car, truck, bus, whatever in the cold weather WILL give your tires flat spots for the first few miles. It is inherent to rubber tires. I have owned and driven lots of trucks (and cars), too, and I can tell you that if you really pay attention, you will notice this on almost all makes and models. Now I will not dispute that the vibrations in the new Fords may be way worse than other trucks. This is likely due to the stiff frame and possible harmonics. But the fact remains that tires do get flat spots and they can be felt on almost any vehicle, if you pay attention.
Back to the tranny issue and the torque converter lock up. If you are having a shudder, then the torque converter staying unlocked is NOT your problem. The TC staying unlocked will only result in higher RPM's for a given speed and possibly the sensation that your tranny is slipping. It should not give ANY feeling of what I would call "shudder".
Back to the tranny issue and the torque converter lock up. If you are having a shudder, then the torque converter staying unlocked is NOT your problem. The TC staying unlocked will only result in higher RPM's for a given speed and possibly the sensation that your tranny is slipping. It should not give ANY feeling of what I would call "shudder".
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From: Pryor
BTW, for anyone who doesn't think flat spotting occurs, read this link:
http://www.tirecradle.com/testing.htm
And look at all the testing that has gone into studying this and trying to prevent it. Here is a quote "One final point about tires. All low profile, performance tires flat spot (cold set) regardless of the manufacturer. To our knowledge, none are immune to this phenomenon."
Perhaps this recent rash of vibrations is more related to larger wheels with lower profile more performance oriented tires?????
http://www.tirecradle.com/testing.htm
And look at all the testing that has gone into studying this and trying to prevent it. Here is a quote "One final point about tires. All low profile, performance tires flat spot (cold set) regardless of the manufacturer. To our knowledge, none are immune to this phenomenon."
Perhaps this recent rash of vibrations is more related to larger wheels with lower profile more performance oriented tires?????
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Check this out guys. I have read and wrote about the famous "shimmy, Wobble" problem of the new trucks. Mine does the same thing, especially in the winter. The obvious cures or problems seem to be wrong. To my knowledge, no one has tried changing the shocks, probably because Bilstein is the first one to come out with replacements. I just installed the Bilsteins and the shimmy is gone!
I would get the shimmy at the same locations on the same stretch of road every morning and night on my way to work since buying the truck over a year ago. More so in the winter.
Call me crazy, But It rides better and feels firm, yet smooth.
I loves these new shocks, pricey (about $365 for the whole set) but worth it.
I would get the shimmy at the same locations on the same stretch of road every morning and night on my way to work since buying the truck over a year ago. More so in the winter.
Call me crazy, But It rides better and feels firm, yet smooth.
I loves these new shocks, pricey (about $365 for the whole set) but worth it.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Middletown, DE
I Got That Too
Mines been doing that since new. I always assumed it was the tires. I have the Conti 17". I never bothered complaining cause I know they'll say they can't find anything and it goes away within the first 1/2 mile. It's not real bad but you can feel it.
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i had the shimmy when i first started in the morning after about a mile it went away. the dealer replaced the clutch paks per the tsb . i have not noticed it since. i still am dealing with the 65-75 steering wheel vibe ,going back to dealer for the 4th. last time got a new set of generals from them and it was worse took it back they said one tire had a belt separation and replaced it