Vibration Problems
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
Likes: 108
From: Northern Indiana
Vibration Problems
I have a vibration that is driving me nuts. It all started happening about a week ago when I about lost a wheel going down the highway. All the lugnuts came loose and the wheel was going all over the place. I took it home and fixed it. Ever since then I have a vibration from about 45 to 80 mph that is just unbearable. I drive alot on the interstate and from 70 to 80 it shakes the truck to death. I went and got the tires balanced. I took it to a driveline shop because I thought maybe the driveshaft was out of balance, and they can not find anything wrong. They recommended to get the tires balanced on the truck.
I didn't know that was a option but found a place that does it and $75.00 later and the vibration is still there.
I have checked all the fluids and the ujoints. I just am tired of throwing money down the drain. I know that vibrations are hard to diagnose, but any help would be greatly helpful. I feel it the most in the seat and the gas pedal. I have BFG ALLTERRAINS 305/70/16.
I didn't know that was a option but found a place that does it and $75.00 later and the vibration is still there. I have checked all the fluids and the ujoints. I just am tired of throwing money down the drain. I know that vibrations are hard to diagnose, but any help would be greatly helpful. I feel it the most in the seat and the gas pedal. I have BFG ALLTERRAINS 305/70/16.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
Guess I have to disagree with you there.
Question now is, was something worn that caused the lugs to loosen? Or did the loose lugs and wobbly wheel tweak something. You might be able to make an educated guess on that by considering the events leading up to the loose lugs. Did you have the wheel off shortly before? How long before the loose lugs did you last check them for tightness?
At this point you either have a loose assembly or a worn assembly. Lift the corner of the truck and see if you can pry on the wheel and observe where it's loose. Look at wheel bearings, 4x4 hubs, and ball joints. If all that looks tight, spin the wheel and look for run-out. It could even be a bent wheel center. You just have to eliminate all the possibilities. Sure it could be an out of balance wheel. I would not bet on it.
Good luck
Question now is, was something worn that caused the lugs to loosen? Or did the loose lugs and wobbly wheel tweak something. You might be able to make an educated guess on that by considering the events leading up to the loose lugs. Did you have the wheel off shortly before? How long before the loose lugs did you last check them for tightness?
At this point you either have a loose assembly or a worn assembly. Lift the corner of the truck and see if you can pry on the wheel and observe where it's loose. Look at wheel bearings, 4x4 hubs, and ball joints. If all that looks tight, spin the wheel and look for run-out. It could even be a bent wheel center. You just have to eliminate all the possibilities. Sure it could be an out of balance wheel. I would not bet on it.
Good luck
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
I bet the "hub centric" wheel is not centered on the hub anymore.
Check the center of the wheel - if it's buggered up, it won't center on the hub.
Take the wheel you had come loose, and replace it with the spare (if it's the right size anymore) and see if it helps.
Check the center of the wheel - if it's buggered up, it won't center on the hub.
Take the wheel you had come loose, and replace it with the spare (if it's the right size anymore) and see if it helps.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
Likes: 108
From: Northern Indiana
It was the rear tire that it happened on. The only damage I could see was it made the holes for the lugs in the rims a little bigger. It could have only been loose for about 4 miles, because I drove the truck the day before and it was fine.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
The hole in the middle of the wheel needs to be a decently tight slip-fit onto the hub. They are "hub centric" meaning the lug nuts do not center the wheel, the hole in the center of the wheel centers the wheel. Is it hogged out from the "incident" ?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
That wheel is damaged and is unsafe. Get it off of your truck now!!
Replace that wheel with your spare. If your truck still vibrates then you've also damaged your rear axle.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Northern Indiana
I do not notice any damage to the center hole of the wheel. I did just go out and change to my spare, but I don't have a strip of road around long enough to get up to 70 or 80. I just talked to a buddy of mine that had a similar problem and he said it was his from front unit bearings. Do you guys think that it could have anything to do with it? I just replaced the drivers side about 3 months ago, but the passenger didn't seem to be bad. Upon looking closer to the front axle it looks like my axle seal is bad because it is leaking fluid. I didn't think it would matter though with the issue at hand because I don't have it in four wheel drive.
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Of the next Riffraff East
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 8,679
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From: Concord NC
The bottom line is, if that wheel wobbled any at all, it is damaged and needs to be replaced ASAP. If you continue to run it, it will do a heck of a lot more damage. The wheel itself could be warpped, which could lead to a crack and failure. Put your spare on and see if that does better. At any rate, that wheel is scrape iron now.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Northern Indiana
They are aftermarket wheels, they are still the hub sentric ( spelled wrong sorry) right? I just took it for a test drive with the spare that is the same size and it is no better. I am lost.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Northern Indiana
Do you guys think I maybe bent a axle shaft? I find it hard to believe that a small distance like that bent a axle shaft. I have also noticed that the vibration comes and goes. It is not constant. Could this be a wheel bearing issue. What type of bearing are on the rear axle? Could it be a front unit bearing? I wish they were not so pricey or I would just go ahead and replace the front unit to see if it helps.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
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From: Northern Indiana
I did that and it did seem to be a little better. I was wondering if it could possibly be the right front unit bearing. I took it for a drive with my father in law tonight and he said he felt it the the passenger side floor before he could hear it. I have already replaced the drivers side front bearing, but the driver side had a intermittent hum and what I am feeling now it is a intermittent vibration. I guess the bearing could make both sound, right? I hate to throw $220 at it for the bearing and it being wrong but I am at my wits end. I am wondering if the rear tire comeing loose distracted my attention from the front being the problem, since it has not gotten any better with the spare on the rear. They have said the axle shaft might be bent, but I think that these shafts are stonger then that.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,372
Likes: 108
From: Northern Indiana
It does do it more on a bump, but can also do it on a smooth patch of road. It is really getting on my nerves. My wife is thinking I am crazy since I have taken it to so many places and they all keep on telling me that nothing is wrong. I said I don't know what to tell you babe, but I do know my truck and when sothing is not right I know. She just rolled her eyes and walked away. 
She also doen't understand PMS.
She also doen't understand PMS.