HELP!! I've got a vibration.....
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HELP!! I've got a vibration.....
Just picked up a 98 F-150 to replace my Ram and I am absolutely in love with it.
One one issue keeps me from being 100% happy with it. It has a subtle vibration that starts at 25mph and continues with speed. Its a very high frequency vibration not unlike a plam sander (maby a bit slower) not like out-of-balance tires. It is also independant of engine speed. On the highway, if I shift into neutral it stays the same so I rule out engine balance.
It does the same in 4wd, no difference.
I'm thinking its a bad bearing or universal joint. I crawed under the truck and grabbed the front & rear shaft hoping to see a sloppy joint but no such thing.
Are these trucks prone to bearing/joint failures???
One one issue keeps me from being 100% happy with it. It has a subtle vibration that starts at 25mph and continues with speed. Its a very high frequency vibration not unlike a plam sander (maby a bit slower) not like out-of-balance tires. It is also independant of engine speed. On the highway, if I shift into neutral it stays the same so I rule out engine balance.
It does the same in 4wd, no difference.
I'm thinking its a bad bearing or universal joint. I crawed under the truck and grabbed the front & rear shaft hoping to see a sloppy joint but no such thing.
Are these trucks prone to bearing/joint failures???
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The truck has 120k. I'll probably take the shaft off and replace both joints anyway.
Before I do that I'm going to run the truck on jack stands in both 2wd and 4wd to try to isolate the problem. It feels like its in the front of the truck but you know how those things are. I hope its just a U-joint other fixes aren't so cheap.
Before I do that I'm going to run the truck on jack stands in both 2wd and 4wd to try to isolate the problem. It feels like its in the front of the truck but you know how those things are. I hope its just a U-joint other fixes aren't so cheap.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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try checking the rubber ring on the insides of the harmonic balancer if your drive shaft has one. if it is bad or parts of it are missing it will cause a vibration as well also check for fractures in the balancer itself it will cause the balancer to ride untrue and will cause a vibration as well
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From: baren desert wasteland, s
I am having a similar problem with my 99 f150, except it only does it between 40-50 mph and its not a slite vibration, its a fairly good shake, what are feathered tires? also for the universal joint, where is this located and how would I check to see if it is loose, I'm not a super gear head but I have done some minor things like installing a maf and throttlebodie so if it is a universal joint hopefully I can fix it myself, if I cant and it is a universal joint roughly how much would it cost to get it fixed?
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I would look at tire balance first.
Feathered tires feel like fish scales, the lugs wear like a wedge and feel smooth when you run your hand one way, but you can feel steps when you go the other way.
U-joints are on the rear driveshaft but if your getting a good vibration, something is out of balance. Driveshafts usually don't get out of balance unless they are hit on something etc.
Have a reputable shop rotate and rebalance the tires first.
Feathered tires feel like fish scales, the lugs wear like a wedge and feel smooth when you run your hand one way, but you can feel steps when you go the other way.
U-joints are on the rear driveshaft but if your getting a good vibration, something is out of balance. Driveshafts usually don't get out of balance unless they are hit on something etc.
Have a reputable shop rotate and rebalance the tires first.
