Hello all. First off I want to say I used the search function, but I never really saw a clear explanation of the solution to this problem, and all of the posts seemed to be from several years ago. I am hoping that in the time since then, that somebody has figured out a solution to this problem.

I recently bought a 02 Expy Eddie Bauer 4x4. When I test drove it it had a steering wheel shake, and it was part of the deal that the dealership would fix this. I have had the truck a few weeks now, and 2 of those weeks it was in the dealership getting the idler arm replaced. They said this solved the problem, however I think it may have gotten worse since then. When I hit 45mph the steering wheel starts to shake, to the point that it feels like one of the front tires is going to fall off. The problem is, that it does not do this constantly, but several times during a short trip to town (7 miles round trip). It has 265/70R17 Goodyear Wrangler RTS tires on it. I took it in to Discount Tire, and they rebalanced and rotated all the tires. This did not solve the problem either. I read in some of the other posts that the steering rack was the problem, while others said it was the Continental tires.

Has anyone found a definate solution to this problem? It is going back to the dealership on Monday, and I think it would be good if I could steer them in a direction.

Thanks for your help!

 

And it's definitely not the ball joints?

 

Look for a broken or blown front shock/strut. If they both check out okay then yes, it's likely the rack.

Since the tires were rotated and balanced it is not likely a tire or rim problem. This leaves you with a front suspension or steering component issue.

 

Neither one of the front shocks look broken, and I dont see any sign of the fluid leaking from them to indicate they are blown out. I cant say for sure that it isnt the ball joints as I am not sure how to check them. I am sure the tech should though when I take it to the dealership. The only thing I am worried about is I bought it from a Chevy dealer, not a Ford dealer. So I am thinking that the tech may not have had much experience with the Expy. Thanks for your replies!

 

have them check the alignment... bad caster angle can cause what you're describing. But also have them check out the ball joints, tie rod ends and the rack too while they're at it.

 

It is very very very unlikely you have a rack problem, given your truck has no rack . It has the old standard steering gear box pitman arm idler arm and draglink system. Does the problem get worse when you lightly apply the brakes if so your rotors may be warped .

 

Why are you trying to diagnose the cause of the steering wheel shake? I'd just take it back to the dealer and tell them fixing the steering wheel shake was part of the deal and you would like it fixed or your money refunded.

 

LOL! Thanks for the info on the rack. I had no idea, I just saw that was the problem in some of the other posts. As far as the brakes go, no it does not get worse when I apply the brakes. The brakes were done prior to my purchase, and feel great.

 

You are correct in that it was part of the deal. And that is what I fully intend to do. However, I don't like having a vehicle I am paying on sitting for weeks on end at the dealership while they work (i.e. throw parts at it) to fix it. On second thought, having a bunch of new parts on the front end at their expense may not be a bad thing lol. I just thought that I would check with the "experts" on here that may have been through the same thing and could save me some time without my truck by pointing me in the right direction.

 

You might have the stealership look at the wheel bearings. Just a thought

 

So the plot thickens.......

While checking out the front end last night to make sure nothing was about to fall off (due to the violent shaking) I noticed that the tie rod on the drivers side, at the wheel, was twisted counterclockwise, towards the rear of the truck. I twisted it more towards the front, or clockwise, until it seemed like it was flush to the connection. Today when I drove it, while it still vibrated some, it was not nearly as violent as it has been.

My question is do you think it could be a bad tierod, and would this cause the shaking at 45-60 mph?

Thanks for your replies!

 

Just wanted to give a solution to my problem as it drives me crazy when people don't post one on here. As it turns out, the idler arm was the problem, or atleast part of it. When I got my tires rebalanced at Discount Tire right after it was replaced, they balanced them wrong. The dealership said that some were as much as 2oz off! They rebalanced them, now it rides nice and smooth. Thanks for your help!

 

I assume you'll be heading to Discount Tire tomorrow for a refund?

 

Next time get them road forced balanced...