front end vibration
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
front end vibration
Ok guys, 2002 F250 4x4 and I am experiencing front end vibration at various road speeds with the front hubs in the auto position, however, when I put the hubs in lock the vibration goes away. Any ideas before I have to take this thing back to the stealership for diagnostic?
Post Fiend
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,007
Likes: 4
From: Central Florida
I can only think that locking the axle creates some kind of drag, so perhaps your starting to see hub bearing failure or your tie rods are getting loose. Let's start with some basics, how many miles are on the truck? How long have you noticed it?
For diagnostics, I'd start by getting under the truck and wiggling things. You shouldn't be able to deflect the steering linkage by hand. Jack up the axle and wiggle the tire in all directions, the tire shouldn't move much if at all.
For diagnostics, I'd start by getting under the truck and wiggling things. You shouldn't be able to deflect the steering linkage by hand. Jack up the axle and wiggle the tire in all directions, the tire shouldn't move much if at all.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
does it happen when u hit a bump or after? the same thing happened to me and it turned out i had a bad hub and a bad axle
i didnt take care of it right away so eventually i lost my 4x4 and also had vaccuum issues.
i didnt take care of it right away so eventually i lost my 4x4 and also had vaccuum issues.
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
The truck has 113000 miles on it. The vibration starts and stops when I hit bumps in the road. I also had the hubs replaced 15 months ago. And 4wd does not seem to engage unless hubs are locked. I don't see anything obviously loose but I haven't thoroughly checked it out yet.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 421
From: Long Island USA
It's the needle bearing inside the wheel bearing where the axle stub rides. This is a common symptom - hit a bump in the road, the vibration starts. Lock the hubs and it totally stops happening.
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 421
From: Long Island USA
The needle bearing itself CAN be replaced, it's a Federal Mogul B-2110 number.
You just can't buy the bearing itself from Ford - actually, you probably could with the right part number, but their computer doesn't call out the needle bearing as a seperate item for the SD's.
Beware, check the axle stub - if the bearing is really bad, it ruins the area on the axle stub where the bearing rides. I had to "recondition" one of mine when the bearing dried up. I was able, with 600 wet-dry paper (after hitting it with 120 and 240) and was able to clean it up pretty good. It's still going 4 years later.
You just can't buy the bearing itself from Ford - actually, you probably could with the right part number, but their computer doesn't call out the needle bearing as a seperate item for the SD's.
Beware, check the axle stub - if the bearing is really bad, it ruins the area on the axle stub where the bearing rides. I had to "recondition" one of mine when the bearing dried up. I was able, with 600 wet-dry paper (after hitting it with 120 and 240) and was able to clean it up pretty good. It's still going 4 years later.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 421
From: Long Island USA
I'm going to assume you meant "got my bearings OFF" ???
Using a punch/drift, just go around tapping it with a small hammer and it'll walk right out. Be careful putting the new ones in, you can bend the race pretty easily.
Using a punch/drift, just go around tapping it with a small hammer and it'll walk right out. Be careful putting the new ones in, you can bend the race pretty easily.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 302
Likes: 14
From: central fl
I have the same symptoms, vibration comes and goes with hitting a bump in the road, manually lock hubs only and it quits.
I obviously don't want to by hubs if I don't need them but my question is that if the needle bearings are bad does that mean that the hub is not far behind?
Thanks
I obviously don't want to by hubs if I don't need them but my question is that if the needle bearings are bad does that mean that the hub is not far behind?
Thanks
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 421
From: Long Island USA
No, just the needle bearings are bad or dry. HOWEVER if you let it go too long, you may ruin the axle stubs.
The HUBS are not at fault, just the needle bearings - they are a $15-20 item, but lots of work to get to.
The HUBS are not at fault, just the needle bearings - they are a $15-20 item, but lots of work to get to.