Front End Shakes Severly!!
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
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Front End Shakes Severly!!
Hey all, on my truck when i hit like a big bump in the road, or a set of railroad tracks, my front end shakes, shimmys like hell. I have to come to a complete stop then start out again, to get rid of it, well if i slow down to like 5 mph it will go away to. The first time it happened, i thought i was gonna wreck cuz its BAD!! I thought it might be a bad ball joint or tie rod end, and there was play in both upper and lower on my left side, and my drag link was a little loose so i changed all them, still happens. I was thinkin maybe the radius arm bushings might be causing it. Any help or information, or just pointin me ina derection would be much apprieciated.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 457
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From: Lathrop, MO
I've had something similiar a couple of times.
The first time I had low pressure in a tire that had the sidewalls starting to breakdown. Short term fix was of course proper inflation. Long term was new tires.
The second time was a combination of upper and lower ball joints low on grease and a worn upper shock mount. lubed the ball joints and replaced the upper mount (paid a shop to do it).
For some reason as our trucks get older they want more attention!?
The first time I had low pressure in a tire that had the sidewalls starting to breakdown. Short term fix was of course proper inflation. Long term was new tires.
The second time was a combination of upper and lower ball joints low on grease and a worn upper shock mount. lubed the ball joints and replaced the upper mount (paid a shop to do it).
For some reason as our trucks get older they want more attention!?
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 342
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Most undercar places, midas or meineke, for example, will give you a free inspection. In situations I take advantage of this and suggest taking it to them to try to get a lead as to the problem. Get two opinions and possible bids. If you decide to do it yourself, continue to post on this thread for help. If they fix your problem, post the solution.
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Elder User
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Ok got good news and bad news. The good news is, I found what is makin my front end shake like hell. The bad news is on the left side radius arm, were the rear bolt hole is, the frame crack to from the outside of the bolt hole to the edge of the frame which is only like an inch or two but what yall think would be the best way to repair the frame? I was thinkin just weld it back together, cuz there is no gap in the break and the break isnt all that big. It is only on the bottom of the frame , its not cracked up the side or on top just on the bottom. So what do yall think would be the safest, and strongest repair possible?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 19,402
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From: Bonita Springs FL
What I would do is drill a hole in the frame near the end of the crack, maybe a little more. That will prevent the crack from spreading. Then weld it up.
This would be a good time to replace the radius arm bushings as well. You can drill out the bracket rivets and replace them with grade 8 hardware.
This would be a good time to replace the radius arm bushings as well. You can drill out the bracket rivets and replace them with grade 8 hardware.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: St. Paul, MN
Don't rule out an axle u-joint. I had one go bad on my 94 bronco and it had the death wobble as well.
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Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Albany, OR
I had the same problem on my 88 i used to have . I did drill out the end of the crack . It fixed that area , but continued to crack other places . After going through this about 8 times i welded plates on only to have it crack out on the edge of the plates . finally got rid of truck , couldent take it any more . Hope my new one dosnt crack out to . I might try to figure how to brace it before it has a chance to do crack out .
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2005
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Well the frame isnt bad on my truck, it has been doin this since last winter, i was "slidin" on some ice in circles, and SLAMED into a concrete barrier with just that side front tire, drove fine didnt think anything of it, and so i didnt check it out. But now i wanna fix er before winter cuz its hell layin under the truck when its cold out. Yea but the frame is eceptionly good and clean just a solid break, not rusty or anything.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,408
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From: Parkesburg PA
Definatly "stop drill" the crack. That's SOP for any crack. You want to drill the ends, so if it goes in to a "Y" say, drill out all the ends. That relieves the stress.
Next "V" grove the crack about 1/2 way through. Then weld it up. The "V" will ensure a good penetration. If you want to add a doubler (plate) that's up to you.
Also I would "Pre-heat" the area with a torch. It doesn't have to glow or anything, but you want to minimize the shock of the weld. Let it air cool, speeding it up will make it brittle. Take your time and stitch it togeather about 1" at a time. Jump around and let the metal stabilize between.
If done right it won't crack again (at least not there...)
Next "V" grove the crack about 1/2 way through. Then weld it up. The "V" will ensure a good penetration. If you want to add a doubler (plate) that's up to you.
Also I would "Pre-heat" the area with a torch. It doesn't have to glow or anything, but you want to minimize the shock of the weld. Let it air cool, speeding it up will make it brittle. Take your time and stitch it togeather about 1" at a time. Jump around and let the metal stabilize between.
If done right it won't crack again (at least not there...)
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Elder User
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ok i got a buddy of mine who is junkin a ford truck same year as mine and its an f150 like mine, i was wonderin if i could use a part of that frame to support mine? Like cut about 12 inches of it out and cut it half way up and tuck it in and weld that in place? I thought it was a good idea, just want some comments on that.