Wobble/Vibration in slow turn
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Wobble/Vibration in slow turn
I have a wobble/vibration which actually shakes the steering wheel when making a slow turn (< 5 MPH) in either direction whenever my 2000 Excursion is in 4WD (it goes way if in 2WD)...have replaced the sway bar, replaced with Warn hubs which didn't help at all. Finally took it to the dealership and they tell me this is normal...news to me since I've had the vehicle for 6 plus years.
The rationale they gave is that on a pavement surface with good tires, there is a difference in the speed of tires on one side versus the other in the turning radius...they assured me I made the same turn on ice, grass or gravel, the wooble would be less pronounced since the side causing the wobble would probably slip....that's the excuse used to explain why I previously not noticed this in Alaska when using 4WD on ice/snow.
Does this make sense to anyone? Does every Excursion making a slow turn in 4WD have the wobble in the front end?
Thanks
The rationale they gave is that on a pavement surface with good tires, there is a difference in the speed of tires on one side versus the other in the turning radius...they assured me I made the same turn on ice, grass or gravel, the wooble would be less pronounced since the side causing the wobble would probably slip....that's the excuse used to explain why I previously not noticed this in Alaska when using 4WD on ice/snow.
Does this make sense to anyone? Does every Excursion making a slow turn in 4WD have the wobble in the front end?
Thanks
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
The U-joints at each front hub is what causes this normally. When the joints start to rust and freeze up they will pull on the steering while making turns. When they get real bad they will even make steering stiff while in 2wd and even cause the truck to pull from side to side.
Not an X but just for a visual of the joints I ma talking about:
Not an X but just for a visual of the joints I ma talking about:
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,529
Likes: 390
From: SEVA
When a U-joint is turned or bent towards its extremes, there is an increase of vibration due to the output shaft not turning at the same velocity as the input shaft. A U-joint's output side must accelerate and decelerate twice per revolution if the input side's RPM stays constant. Since neither side actually remains constant, we can feel the "fight" (slow vibration) going on between the two sides. Hence the term "constant velocity joint" where those types are used.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
I have a wobble/vibration which actually shakes the steering wheel when making a slow turn (< 5 MPH) in either direction whenever my 2000 Excursion is in 4WD (it goes way if in 2WD)...have replaced the sway bar, replaced with Warn hubs which didn't help at all. Finally took it to the dealership and they tell me this is normal...news to me since I've had the vehicle for 6 plus years.
The rationale they gave is that on a pavement surface with good tires, there is a difference in the speed of tires on one side versus the other in the turning radius...they assured me I made the same turn on ice, grass or gravel, the wooble would be less pronounced since the side causing the wobble would probably slip....that's the excuse used to explain why I previously not noticed this in Alaska when using 4WD on ice/snow.
Does this make sense to anyone? Does every Excursion making a slow turn in 4WD have the wobble in the front end?
Thanks
The rationale they gave is that on a pavement surface with good tires, there is a difference in the speed of tires on one side versus the other in the turning radius...they assured me I made the same turn on ice, grass or gravel, the wooble would be less pronounced since the side causing the wobble would probably slip....that's the excuse used to explain why I previously not noticed this in Alaska when using 4WD on ice/snow.
Does this make sense to anyone? Does every Excursion making a slow turn in 4WD have the wobble in the front end?
Thanks
I'm surprised you haven't noticed this before.
All 4-wheel drive vehicles have this to some degree, due to the mechanical physics of the setup.
Years ago, my department had a 90's Dodge ram that had the wheel bop real bad. Turn the steering wheel to full lock and the thing would do the herky-jerky. My Ex isn't as bad as that old Dodge was.
Stewart
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
LOL, not a big bowtie fan so I'll qualify my last post and say I should have typed "Most 4-wheel drive vehicles have this to some degree..."
All kidding aside, I try not to use absolutes when communicating, unless I know for sure using an absolute is warranted, but I messd up. Thanks for the correction, Snow.
Stewart
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