Oh My Pleeeeez Help!
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Safety Harbor, FL
Oh My Pleeeeez Help!
Hi everyone guys n gals,
I just bought a wonderous little 1998 Ford Explorer Sport...had to drive three hours south (to Tampa area) to find it...and while driving home, discovered that at about 63 mph it starts shaking pretty badly. Oh dear! I want to baby this SUV and keep it in top shape every day for many many years to come, but sheesh I've only had it a day and have this problem (of course it appears the warranty won't cover it!)
I'm in middle of divorce so money's WAY TIGHT. Can anyone help me figure out what to do here? What could be causing this? If you know anyone in Gainesville area FL area or west that is good and reasonably priced mechanic? Anyone know what I might be able to do myself to figure out what's wrong here?
ANY AND ALL REPLIES WILL BE MOSTTTTT APPRECIATED!
Thanks bunches and bunches,
Lisadances
I just bought a wonderous little 1998 Ford Explorer Sport...had to drive three hours south (to Tampa area) to find it...and while driving home, discovered that at about 63 mph it starts shaking pretty badly. Oh dear! I want to baby this SUV and keep it in top shape every day for many many years to come, but sheesh I've only had it a day and have this problem (of course it appears the warranty won't cover it!)
I'm in middle of divorce so money's WAY TIGHT. Can anyone help me figure out what to do here? What could be causing this? If you know anyone in Gainesville area FL area or west that is good and reasonably priced mechanic? Anyone know what I might be able to do myself to figure out what's wrong here?
ANY AND ALL REPLIES WILL BE MOSTTTTT APPRECIATED!
Thanks bunches and bunches,
Lisadances
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 478
Likes: 0
From: ut
Several things can cause a shake or vibration. The most obvious...to me anyway...would be to check the tires first. I've seen tires (years ago when I worked in a tire shop) look good on the outside, but be bad (separated) on the inside. Maybe a quick trip to your local tire store for a wheel balance would find something. Also, find a newly paved parking lot and drive slow across it. If you feel a wobble, then a tire is going bad. You can also try feeling the tire with your open hand around the tire tread. You can feel a bulge on the tire if there's one there.
Loose steering linkage, transmission/driveline troubles, or suspension components that are worn can cause this. If you know someone who's mechanically inclined, these are fairly easy checks. Otherwise, another trip to your local car care place may be in order. Good luck
Hope this helps.
Loose steering linkage, transmission/driveline troubles, or suspension components that are worn can cause this. If you know someone who's mechanically inclined, these are fairly easy checks. Otherwise, another trip to your local car care place may be in order. Good luck
Hope this helps.
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I would bet that it is just a tire out of balance. One way you can tell for free is to get back on the hwy and accelerate up to 60. Then, start gradually accelerating up to the point that it starts to shake. It should start skaking at about the same speed (63). Continue to accelerate and see if it smoothes out around 70-75. If it does, have your tires balanced.
(NOTE: EXPLORERS HAD THE NOTORIOUS FIRESTONE TIRES THAT WERE COMING APART AT HIGH SPEEDS AND KILLING PEOPLE. IF IT HAS FIRESTONE OR BRIDGESTONE TIRES, (I don't now what the model number of those tires were but it should be on the net) DON'T TRY THE ABOVE EXPERIMENT. Check with a tire shop, I think that Firestone recalled those tires and will replace them free.
If it is a tire out of balance, It should'nt be but around $25.00 to balance all four.
Hope this helps.
(NOTE: EXPLORERS HAD THE NOTORIOUS FIRESTONE TIRES THAT WERE COMING APART AT HIGH SPEEDS AND KILLING PEOPLE. IF IT HAS FIRESTONE OR BRIDGESTONE TIRES, (I don't now what the model number of those tires were but it should be on the net) DON'T TRY THE ABOVE EXPERIMENT. Check with a tire shop, I think that Firestone recalled those tires and will replace them free.
If it is a tire out of balance, It should'nt be but around $25.00 to balance all four.
Hope this helps.
Last edited by esimmons682; May 31, 2005 at 04:19 AM. Reason: Spelling error
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Safety Harbor, FL
Thank You!
Thanks much, sjwoody! I will check this all out today...lots of good info you sent to me and I truly appreciate you taking the time!
Originally Posted by sjwoody
Several things can cause a shake or vibration. The most obvious...to me anyway...would be to check the tires first. I've seen tires (years ago when I worked in a tire shop) look good on the outside, but be bad (separated) on the inside. Maybe a quick trip to your local tire store for a wheel balance would find something. Also, find a newly paved parking lot and drive slow across it. If you feel a wobble, then a tire is going bad. You can also try feeling the tire with your open hand around the tire tread. You can feel a bulge on the tire if there's one there.
Loose steering linkage, transmission/driveline troubles, or suspension components that are worn can cause this. If you know someone who's mechanically inclined, these are fairly easy checks. Otherwise, another trip to your local car care place may be in order. Good luck
Hope this helps.
Loose steering linkage, transmission/driveline troubles, or suspension components that are worn can cause this. If you know someone who's mechanically inclined, these are fairly easy checks. Otherwise, another trip to your local car care place may be in order. Good luck
Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Safety Harbor, FL
Thank You!
Thanks much, sjwoody! I will check this all out today...lots of good info you sent to me and I truly appreciate you taking the time!
Originally Posted by sjwoody
Several things can cause a shake or vibration. The most obvious...to me anyway...would be to check the tires first. I've seen tires (years ago when I worked in a tire shop) look good on the outside, but be bad (separated) on the inside. Maybe a quick trip to your local tire store for a wheel balance would find something. Also, find a newly paved parking lot and drive slow across it. If you feel a wobble, then a tire is going bad. You can also try feeling the tire with your open hand around the tire tread. You can feel a bulge on the tire if there's one there.
Loose steering linkage, transmission/driveline troubles, or suspension components that are worn can cause this. If you know someone who's mechanically inclined, these are fairly easy checks. Otherwise, another trip to your local car care place may be in order. Good luck
Hope this helps.
Loose steering linkage, transmission/driveline troubles, or suspension components that are worn can cause this. If you know someone who's mechanically inclined, these are fairly easy checks. Otherwise, another trip to your local car care place may be in order. Good luck
Hope this helps.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Safety Harbor, FL
Thank You Guys!!!!
Hi! to everyone who responded to my question about my SUV shaking at over 60 mph...I sure did appreciate all the useful info you each gave to me!I'm thrilled to report that my problem was just in alignment and rotation of tires. ISIS, (my trucks' name...an Egyptian Goddess of magic and life renewal) is running fabulous now! I'm very happy it was nothing worse, as from a couple of your posts it sounded like it could have cost me BIG BUCKS! And being a woman with no mechanical skills, that scared the hell out of me. Hated the thought that I might have bought a really bad vehicle that was going to give me nothing but problems.
Anyway, just wanted to say THANK YOU. I would individually, but at this point it doesn't look like I can, only allowed me to reply to the thread!
Best wishes and hugs for all you did to help me!
Lisa
