Shake at 70MPH
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Shake at 70MPH
Just picked up a 98 Explorer XLT last night certified and e-tested from a dealer. Truck has 115k miles (186k kms) on it but is in really good shape otherwise.
I of course drove it a couple of times before the purchase but as I was leaving for home (after a celabratory meal in the city) I noticed a pretty nasty shake or vibration as I pulled onto the highway.
Initially I thought maybe they hadn't properly balanced the 4 new tires (Firestone Wilderness AT's BTW......should I be concerned about this?) but then I noticed that it doesn't act like a poorly balanced wheel.
If I maintain a constant speed around 70 MPH (110 KPH) everything seems fine until I hit a slight bump or dip. Then it starts to shake pretty violently until you ease off.
I've called the dealership and they say they'll look into it but I'd like to get an idea of where they should be looking.
Any ideas?
BigM555
PS - This 98 is replacing my old 93 so it's not my first Explorer.
I of course drove it a couple of times before the purchase but as I was leaving for home (after a celabratory meal in the city) I noticed a pretty nasty shake or vibration as I pulled onto the highway.
Initially I thought maybe they hadn't properly balanced the 4 new tires (Firestone Wilderness AT's BTW......should I be concerned about this?) but then I noticed that it doesn't act like a poorly balanced wheel.
If I maintain a constant speed around 70 MPH (110 KPH) everything seems fine until I hit a slight bump or dip. Then it starts to shake pretty violently until you ease off.
I've called the dealership and they say they'll look into it but I'd like to get an idea of where they should be looking.
Any ideas?
BigM555
PS - This 98 is replacing my old 93 so it's not my first Explorer.
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
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From: Oak Harbor, OH
Most balance jobs are only good to about 55mph. I know it's dumb, but it's true. Also the tire balancers need to be calibrated almost once a month, if this isn't done it can really throw things off. I'd take it to NTB or sears and have them balance the tires. Then move onto other more expensive things.
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If this were a tire balance problem why would everything seem fine at 70 MPH until I hit a slight bump or dip?
Don't mean to be ungrateful. I appreciate the suggestion. Just doesn't seem like a balance problem would wait until you hit a bump to show it's ugly head.
Once it starts it progresses rapidly until fear demands you let off. Any time I've experienced a wheel balance problem it would always start off slowly and would increase with speed until it hit a specific resonance.
This problem seems different.
BigM555
Don't mean to be ungrateful. I appreciate the suggestion. Just doesn't seem like a balance problem would wait until you hit a bump to show it's ugly head.
Once it starts it progresses rapidly until fear demands you let off. Any time I've experienced a wheel balance problem it would always start off slowly and would increase with speed until it hit a specific resonance.
This problem seems different.
BigM555
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