I just put my aftermarket 22" rims and tires back on my 04 F150 FX4 and have developed a bad bounce/ shudder or vibration which seems to start at the rear and eventually the whole truck starts to vibrate. At first it was only when I was at highway speeds it started, but after a while it did it in town as well. So I would have to come to complete stop before starting out again, some times it helps and doesn't come back and other times it come back. I then took the truck to the place I bought the rims from and had them re-balance them thinking that one or some of the weights had fallen off over the winter time. That was not the problem the balancing was fine they suggested maybe the tires were separating but upon looking at them closer they said that was not the problem either as they only have about 600km's on them, and the truck still does it off and on since then. My question is what could be wrong with the truck or maybe even the tires? Why all of a sudden when I change my rims and tires from my stock 18's to these does this happen and I never had this problem at all last year? Sorry for the long question, but this is driving me insane. Thanks for the help in advance!!!

 

3 things

1. get the tires balanced at another shop. 20" + rims are hard to balance...and you may have a bad rim/tire

2. ensure your parking brake is disengaging. a dragging parking brake could be a culprit

3. as a last resort, get your driveshaft balanced

 

I'm going to assume they balanced them properly, and your driveshaft is fine. That said, do the following:

Break each lug loose, on all 4 wheels, then jack it up and put it on jackstands. Pull your front wheels, and ensure the rotors would come off easily if the calipers were removed. (I say that because if they are stuck on a stud, then they aren't flush and won't wiggle...they should wiggle a little with the rim off) If they wiggle, then put the rim on, and SNUG each bolt in a lug nut tightening fashion (eg opposite sides)). After doing that, then TORQUE them to 100-120 lb/ft in a lug-tightening sequence/pattern. Move to the back, and do the same.

Most tire places use an impact wrench to tighten the wheel fasteners (techinal name for lug nuts), and most don't use a torque wrench, let alone a torque-stick to tighten them or make sure the rotors haven't got hung up since "the calipers were never off" in the first place. After that, if it cures your problem, NEVER go back there again!!

 

As well as everything mentioned already.... are these rims hub centric, or lug centric? If they are not what the truck calls for, you can experience issues

 

HAHA...I was just going to edit my post for that...lol I hope he got lug-centric rims, or he'll have to mod it.

 

Sadly, it is a commonly overlooked detail.

 

Just an update on the whole situation. I was getting real tired of the truck vibrating/shuddering so I decided to figure it out by process of elimination. I took the 22" rims off today and put my stock 18's back on. I had the same problem, the truck was doing it again. @^#* am I pissed what could this be?. I am guessing it must be something with the truck if it does it with both sets of rims, as it didn't do it before.

 

Sorry but I have no idea what lug centric or hub centric means either????

 

Lug centric is wheel being held in perfect circle by tappered or shanked fasteners,hub centric is where the wheel center just fit over the hub. I agree with posible rear brake isues such as hung up parking brake or stuck caliper. If rear is jacked up check for excessive drag on one or both wheels.

 

When the shudder or vibration happens if you let go of the gas does it go away? It sounds like it could be the clutch packs in the rear end.

 

No if you let go of the gas pedal it still does it, I have to come to a complete stop before it totally goes away.

 

I know this is odd but have the dealer perform the electronic Auto Tranny service ($171). It sure took the hop and surge out of my truck. Hope this helps.

John
Cape Canaveral, Florida

 

Please let us know what it is when it gets figured out...It'll give me something else to look at if I come across it again...

 

Got the truck looked at and after all the panic it ended up being the park brake assemably was seized on the passenger side. Apperantly this is a problem with the 04 f150's and there is a tsb for it on this site. Thanks for all the help.

 

glad to have been of service