Please help with my vibration
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 898
Likes: 3
Please help with my vibration
I have an intermittent problem while driving down the highway. The truck gets to vibrating at high speeds just like I'm going over the rumble strips on the side of the highway or have severely cupped tires. It will start at any speed over about 30 if I hit a little bump and will continue until I slow down a lot or hit another bump. It doesn't feel like it's coming through the steering wheel, but it's very noticeable and annoying.
Yesterday I went over a bridge with several expansion joints and it would start and stop every time I hit one of those, or when the pavement changes from concrete to asphalt. When it's not doing it it feels fine, no vobration at all.
It went away for a long time right after doing ball joints, but it's only been 5k miles and a month or two. I did ball joints, gave it an alignment, replaced the steering stabilizer, and replaced the u joints. I have rotated the tires too. The ball joints seemed to make a difference, but they are still good and brand new. I can't find any loose suspension parts and it's been in two shops also to be checked out for bad or loose parts. Nobody can find anything.
Yesterday I went over a bridge with several expansion joints and it would start and stop every time I hit one of those, or when the pavement changes from concrete to asphalt. When it's not doing it it feels fine, no vobration at all.
It went away for a long time right after doing ball joints, but it's only been 5k miles and a month or two. I did ball joints, gave it an alignment, replaced the steering stabilizer, and replaced the u joints. I have rotated the tires too. The ball joints seemed to make a difference, but they are still good and brand new. I can't find any loose suspension parts and it's been in two shops also to be checked out for bad or loose parts. Nobody can find anything.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 898
Likes: 3
No guesses even?
Any help would be much appreciated!! I have been paying attention since my first post and it kind of feels like it's coming from the back end. I hear a noise back there over bumps, but the lug nuts are tight.
Any help would be much appreciated!! I have been paying attention since my first post and it kind of feels like it's coming from the back end. I hear a noise back there over bumps, but the lug nuts are tight.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 26
From: Chino, California
Are your tires balanced as well?
Are your tires load E tires and filled to the max? If so, it could make the bumps feel hard. If you're not towing, I would drop it down to what is on the door jam.
Are your tires load E tires and filled to the max? If so, it could make the bumps feel hard. If you're not towing, I would drop it down to what is on the door jam.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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My tires are load range E and are filled to what is actually on the gas tank door. I dropped the pressure after I started having issues. I have rotated the tires. I do not think they are balanced well.
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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I'll look for engine mounts but it really feels like it's unsprung weight that is moving.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 26
From: Chino, California
Try getting all 4 wheels balanced. Shouldn't cost that much. That may be the answer. Good luck.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2009
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Vibration problems are really hard to figure out without a rt. Does the whole truck shake or do you just feel it in the floor? Have you checked the slip yoke? Check for shiny spots in the metal around all the nuts & bolts in the rear, that will tell you if something has been moving.
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Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 898
Likes: 3
Vibration problems are really hard to figure out without a rt. Does the whole truck shake or do you just feel it in the floor? Have you checked the slip yoke? Check for shiny spots in the metal around all the nuts & bolts in the rear, that will tell you if something has been moving.
What's the slip yoke?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Itinerant at present
Google up "Road force balancing" and find one in your area. Really helped mine out after I had them balanced twice at the dealer (to no avail).
Also - had to get under the truck with one of my weapons lights to see into the front sway bar end-links. The bushings were all rotted out. Replaced them.
Also - had to get under the truck with one of my weapons lights to see into the front sway bar end-links. The bushings were all rotted out. Replaced them.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Feb 2004
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Likes: 3
Google up "Road force balancing" and find one in your area. Really helped mine out after I had them balanced twice at the dealer (to no avail).
Also - had to get under the truck with one of my weapons lights to see into the front sway bar end-links. The bushings were all rotted out. Replaced them.
Also - had to get under the truck with one of my weapons lights to see into the front sway bar end-links. The bushings were all rotted out. Replaced them.
Messing with it last night I was able to pull the rear drivers side tire towards me and make a noise. I'm not sure if I was just pulling the axle shaft out a little bit and this was normal, but I suppose I'll start messing around in there.
I have a friend with a lift and need to catch him at the shop to get it all the way in the air.
New User
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 17
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From: BC, Canada
Because it happens intermittently, you may want to consider to install an USB/Internet camera under neath of the vehicle, point to the suspected area and connect to a notebook (In the cabin) and capture the bugger while it is in action. I leaned alot about the driveline and the suspension in action with the camera mounted underneath. If it is a true physical vibration, you should see it in action.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2008
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Look at the rear of the transmission and see if the viberation damper is there or missing. Also check the rear transmission mount.
The viberation damper on the transmission is a kinda steel L shaped damper.
My guess its loose or missing.
The viberation damper on the transmission is a kinda steel L shaped damper.
My guess its loose or missing.