Frame dampening kit?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 170
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Frame dampening kit?
I need some help from the FTE gurus. I have an 04 F150 Lariat Supercrew 373 LS rear with 12k miles. It has always been as smooth as glass until around 11k miles, it developed a steering wheel vibration at highway speeds. The front tires were re-balanced with no change. Yesterday, the service manager told me about a problem they have that is fixed with a dampening kit, which they ordered. Does anyone know about this? I want to make sure that I am not getting a bandaid.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 296
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It is a big free floating weight hung on the rear driver's side frame that is designed to absorb bed vibration. If the problem you were having is the vibration in the bed it would reduce the severity. Yes, it is a band-aid. It is designed to mask a problem rather than fix it. With that being said there may not be another solution.
Steering wheel vibration is most likely caused by an out of balance tire and/or rim. Have your tires (all 4 ) "Road Force Balanced". Take it to someone who knows what they are doing even if it costs you a few bucks out of pocket. The F-150 is very tire sensitive and the Road force balancing is required, a normal spin and weight balance is not good enough. If your issue waited for 12k to show up it is probably the tires.
Steering wheel shake is different from bed shake which is different from the "vibes" that lots of people talk about.
Good luck!
Steering wheel vibration is most likely caused by an out of balance tire and/or rim. Have your tires (all 4 ) "Road Force Balanced". Take it to someone who knows what they are doing even if it costs you a few bucks out of pocket. The F-150 is very tire sensitive and the Road force balancing is required, a normal spin and weight balance is not good enough. If your issue waited for 12k to show up it is probably the tires.
Steering wheel shake is different from bed shake which is different from the "vibes" that lots of people talk about.
Good luck!
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 559
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From: CT
Did you just rotate your tires? When I had my aftermarket tires and rims put on by a tire shop I talked to the guys while they were doing the work. I noticed that they looked for specific tires during the install. I inquired why they were being picky, given that all 4 were brand new. His response 'They put the tires with the lowest added weight on the front.' No vibration, rotate the tires and front to back and cross over pattern and now the truck has the steering wheel shake. Will live with it until time to rotate back.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 170
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I rotated at about 6000, but the shake in the wheel didn't start until about 11k. I will talk to the dealer when the dampening kit comes in. Sounds like this won't fix it, but I guess it won't hurt to have it put on?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 170
Likes: 1
Part came in and then they decided I needed road force balancing. Had this done, and one tire said out of round 37 degrees, which makes no sense to me. Put that tire on the rear while waiting for new tire. Now the vibration is just as bad in the steering, and in the back. I'm about ready to sell it, and get a used GM. I must be fed up, huh?
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