i think i am having a suspension issue. when i drive on the highway at high speeds i am getting an abnormal amount of consistent "bouncing". it typically happens when the highway is "worn". i understand that the concrete slabs on the highway are warped, creating this type of consistent bounce, but i think mine is a little exagerated. it does not happen on smooth highways. i recently put new tires on and balance is perfect. my last thought is maybe i need to replace my shock absorbers... any ideas. thanks!

2003
f-150 flareside
4.2 L

 

Welcome to the forum.

I would suspect the shocks are worn. How many miles are on the truck?

 

thanks for the reply! there are only about 50k miles on it. however, i do put a few offroad miles on it when entering and leaving OHV areas with my dirt toys. a lot of the time these dirt roads can get pretty harry when going too fast.

 

Is there any sign of oil on the shocks?

 

I have a major bouncing problem over 75 MPH and I have brand new tires. I was hoping it was my old tires being out of balance but no such luck. 168K on it and I assume the original shocks, any chance it's the ball joints? My g/f said she could see the tires bouncing when she is riding next to me.

 

ok, i inspected the shocks and i dont have any oil leaking. im going to assume i need a new set all around... and suggestions

 

New2, it sounds like you might want to get your tires balanced again. It isn't uncommon for a tire weight to fly off if the 16 year old kid at the tire store installed the wrong shaped weight. If your tires are visibly bouncing down the road it is definetly a balance issue. As the heavy side of the tire rotates it pulls the axle assembly up and down.

 

thanks for the replies. the reason i dont think its a tire balance issue it because the i am not getting and bouncing on smooth highway.

 

new2 that, to me sounds more like a shock issue than a balance issue, not having them balanced will roughen the ride, but if it is truely a major bouncing problem and you have 168k miles on the original shocks then its the shocks most likely, when you go over a speed bump (one of those big long ones not the little ones) or down a drive way or something like that, how many times does the car bounce after the speed bump? it should bounce no more than three times max, if you have more bouncing than that your shocks are prolly worn out needing replacement

 

Thanks for the responses everyone! I will check the shocks soon.