Front Shake/Vibrate
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 36
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From: Mifflintown Pa
Front Shake/Vibrate
i have a 1997 ford f-150, V6, 4.2 L truck. when i go above 40-45 miles per hour, my front shakes something fierce. what could this be? tie rod ends, ball joints, what? those are the 2 things i was already told. any other ideas?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: Stockton Ca.
Have you rotated you tires recently? Has one of the tires thrown of a wheel weight and is now out of balance? How many miles on the truck? 2wd. or 4wd.? have lower ball joints been replaced and if so how many miles ago? Are the front sway bar links OK?
Are you sure it's a front suspension problem?
I know this isn't much help but to many options to pick from and people could guess all day.
Are you sure it's a front suspension problem?
I know this isn't much help but to many options to pick from and people could guess all day.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 1
Same thing happened to me when I had my '88 F-150. Turned out both "lubed for life" ball joints were totally worn out. Replaced both with one that I had to lube and never had a problem again. My vibrations were at the same speeds as yours, felt the truck was going to come apart.
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Mifflintown Pa
i haven't rotated the tires. i believe the wheel weights are still on. it only has about 1200 miles because its a new engine. its 4wd. the ball joints were replaced about 6 years ago. the passanger side sway bar was jingling because it wasn't put on right but i did tighten it up but maybe i got it too tight. i will loosen it up a little. not totally sure its a suspension problem no.
the shake is from the steering and when i apply the brakes and slow down then it stops once i decrease in speed.
the shake is from the steering and when i apply the brakes and slow down then it stops once i decrease in speed.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,344
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That's exactly what my '88 F-150 did. Started shaking violently, hit the brakes to slow down to around 30 and the shaking went away. I might recheck the ball joints. When our Charger develops a front end shake, even though it's not violent, it means tire rotation time.
Junior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 92
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My 2001 Screw is doing the same thing. Only the steering wheel shakes between 35-45mph and goes away after you get above 50. I'm thinking it's BJ time.... My truck has 158k miles on it and I don't know the previous owners work history so it may be the factory BJ's.
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Douglasville,GA
I just acquired a 2000 with similar problem. After all ball joints, bushings and tires were replaced, it drives like new.
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Post Fiend
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From: Lexington Mo
Get a good look at the tires....... Feel the tread for un-even wear. If you can get them ballanced, watch the tires while there on the ballancer. See if they are running straight, or are they hopping. Are they A/T tread? They have to be rotated atleast every other oil change.
I've been doing this a long time (for a living) as an alignment tech, passenger car, light trucks, and heavy equiptment, 18 wheelers, Firetrucks all of em' for almost the last 10 years. Check tires, or just rotate them to the rear and drive em'....
Bob
I've been doing this a long time (for a living) as an alignment tech, passenger car, light trucks, and heavy equiptment, 18 wheelers, Firetrucks all of em' for almost the last 10 years. Check tires, or just rotate them to the rear and drive em'....
Bob
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 1
Get a good look at the tires....... Feel the tread for un-even wear. If you can get them ballanced, watch the tires while there on the ballancer. See if they are running straight, or are they hopping. Are they A/T tread? They have to be rotated atleast every other oil change.
I've been doing this a long time (for a living) as an alignment tech, passenger car, light trucks, and heavy equiptment, 18 wheelers, Firetrucks all of em' for almost the last 10 years. Check tires, or just rotate them to the rear and drive em'....
Bob
I've been doing this a long time (for a living) as an alignment tech, passenger car, light trucks, and heavy equiptment, 18 wheelers, Firetrucks all of em' for almost the last 10 years. Check tires, or just rotate them to the rear and drive em'....
Bob
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