front end shaking 45-65 mph
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Freshman User
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front end shaking 45-65 mph
my 97 ex shudders from the the front end when I'm going any faster than 45-50 mph. It doesn't happen all the time, so that weirds me out a little. The shudder is akin to driving over cobblestone. Serious problem or simple thing caused by nearly 12 months of barely driving her?
New User
Joined: Dec 2006
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If it were me, here's how I would proceed-
1. new shocks
2. have tires rebalanced
3. replace tires if needed
4. front end alinement
5. replace any ball joints, bushings if needed
6. have the steering checked for any slop
1. new shocks
2. have tires rebalanced
3. replace tires if needed
4. front end alinement
5. replace any ball joints, bushings if needed
6. have the steering checked for any slop
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 878
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From: Cornelius, Oregon
Originally Posted by lspall
If it were me, here's how I would proceed-
1. new shocks
2. have tires rebalanced
3. replace tires if needed
4. front end alinement
5. replace any ball joints, bushings if needed
6. have the steering checked for any slop
1. new shocks
2. have tires rebalanced
3. replace tires if needed
4. front end alinement
5. replace any ball joints, bushings if needed
6. have the steering checked for any slop
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 272
Likes: 1
The first thing I would do is rebalance tires/wheels. Sitting for extended periods can really screw your balance and the expeditions/f-150 front end is EXTREMELY sensitive to tire balance issues. A little problem there can cause quite a wobble..almost like you can feel the wheel wobbling. (It happens to me between 50-65 mph). If you find a shop that will "road force balance" that seems to be most effective. But those shops seem rare.
I should add that some people have been utterly unable to effectively balance stock Continental tires. Amazingly....with a brand new set of well balanced Michelins on the front all my problems went away....after 8 thousand miles, they are creeping back now and I am leaning toward the steering box as being susceptible to out of balance tires. But I am also due for new shocks (up to 132k now) If the shocks make a difference for me I will let you know.
Of course there are plenty of other components in the front end that can be sensitive to the balance issue....even brake rotors can be a problem I hear. Good luck. If you wander through this fourum and the F150 forum you will find some very long chains discussing similar problems.
I should add that some people have been utterly unable to effectively balance stock Continental tires. Amazingly....with a brand new set of well balanced Michelins on the front all my problems went away....after 8 thousand miles, they are creeping back now and I am leaning toward the steering box as being susceptible to out of balance tires. But I am also due for new shocks (up to 132k now) If the shocks make a difference for me I will let you know.
Of course there are plenty of other components in the front end that can be sensitive to the balance issue....even brake rotors can be a problem I hear. Good luck. If you wander through this fourum and the F150 forum you will find some very long chains discussing similar problems.
Last edited by scottspoerry; May 10, 2007 at 11:07 AM.
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
It sat for 12 months? I bet you flat spotted the tires.
Balancing won't do anything. Your tires are out-of-round now (if they are flat spotted).
You say it doesn't do it all the time, though. How many miles would you say you've driven it since it sat? When does it usually show up? When you first start driving it? after a while? after turns? etc. etc.
Balancing won't do anything. Your tires are out-of-round now (if they are flat spotted).
You say it doesn't do it all the time, though. How many miles would you say you've driven it since it sat? When does it usually show up? When you first start driving it? after a while? after turns? etc. etc.
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2007
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It was driven about 10 miles a month for a year, I am just now putting it back into daily use. The shudder occurs when I get out of the city limits onto the highway and hit about 45 mph. The shudder becomes more pronounced if I am driving at that speed while bearing left. It happens every morning on the way to work to varying degrees, but sometimes it doesn't happen on the way home.
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 73
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From: Philadelphia, Pa.
I agree with Monsta...
If you have flat spotted on the tires.
Balancing won't do anything.
Do you have another set to test this teary?
Also check your ball joint and tie rods.
If you have flat spotted on the tires.
Balancing won't do anything.
Do you have another set to test this teary?
Also check your ball joint and tie rods.
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 73
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From: Philadelphia, Pa.
Not necessarily...
Some tires are made with radial wires inside.
Sometimes when they get hot or cold they contract or expand.
That’s when you will feel the soft / flat spots, exc.
Also, some tires come defected from factory.
I have continentals on my 98 Expedition and I hate them.
But, until I get some money together to buy good tires I’m stuck with them.
Some tires are made with radial wires inside.
Sometimes when they get hot or cold they contract or expand.
That’s when you will feel the soft / flat spots, exc.
Also, some tires come defected from factory.
I have continentals on my 98 Expedition and I hate them.
But, until I get some money together to buy good tires I’m stuck with them.
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