by "Tristan" (casselts)
Published 06/09/2017 at 06:35
by "Tristan" (casselts)
Published 06/09/2017 at 06:35
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STARS: 0
I’ve got a vibration from 65-ish mph on upwards. I thought I had a broken belt in one of my fairly questionable tires. I had tried getting them balanced previously to no avail, so I proceeded to blow 700 bucks on new tires... Still there. Was it the aftermarket wheels? Swapped on some stock wheels... Still there.
It’s not consistent. It comes and goes, sometimes barely noticeable, other times it’s like a jackhammer.
I know I need a front end rebuild. My steering is pretty loosey goose due to worn tie rod ends, and the front shocks are toast. However, I don’t ever really feel the vibration through the steering wheel. It just feels like its throughout the entire truck.
It’s a low-frequency vibration that goes right in synch with the rpm of the tires, so I’ve dismissed the theory of a bad u-joint.
I’m just at a loss and tired of throwing money at it, but I have no idea where to go from here with troubleshooting.
I’m driving it to the Grand Canyon on Saturday. I may just push it in when I get there.
"adamftw" (adamftw)
06/09/2017 at 06:39, STARS: 2
If it’s in sync with the tires, why would you dismiss a u-joint? They both rotate at the same frequency. Does it get better/worse if you shift into 4wd? That should isolate front/rear driveline issues.
"Tristan" (casselts)
06/09/2017 at 06:42, STARS: 0
The U-joints rotate at 3.73 times the rotational speed of the tires. It would be a much higher frequency vibration.
4wd Vs. 2wd makes no difference at any speed. It may be psychosomatic, but it seems to worsen when going around right-hand sweeping curves.
"adamftw" (adamftw)
06/09/2017 at 06:44, STARS: 0
Yea, but it’s still a rotational vibration. I would at least crawl under there and check it.
"Berang" (berang)
06/09/2017 at 06:44, STARS: 0
wheel bearing?
"Tristan" (casselts)
06/09/2017 at 06:44, STARS: 0
Will do.
"adamftw" (adamftw)
06/09/2017 at 06:47, STARS: 2
Just saw your comment about right handers. That means you’re “opening” the left side of the truck, so start on that side. Stick a pipe under the tire after jacking it up to get some weight off of it and check for play in the ball joints and wheel bearing/hub.
"Tristan" (casselts)
06/09/2017 at 06:47, STARS: 0
I did a brake job on the front a couple of days ago and inspected them. Nice and smooth with no play. The rear bearings were replaced with the entire rear end assembly when it exploded 2 weeks ago. The vibration was there with the old rear end, too.
"Tristan" (casselts)
06/09/2017 at 06:49, STARS: 0
The right front has the worst shock absorber by far as well.
"adamftw" (adamftw)
06/09/2017 at 06:52, STARS: 1
These trucks do get weird when the shocks are ready to be changed, so that could be an issue as well.
"Berang" (berang)
06/09/2017 at 06:55, STARS: 0
out of round tire?
"jimz" (jimz)
06/09/2017 at 06:57, STARS: 0
worn out shocks can cause even a slight wheel imbalance to be noticeable since they’re no longer damping anything.
"Tristan" (casselts)
06/09/2017 at 06:59, STARS: 0
I replaced the whole set with brand new BFG AT KO2s... Some of the smoothest riding truck tires out there. The vibration remained exactly the same as with the worn Toyos.
"Tristan" (casselts)
06/09/2017 at 07:02, STARS: 0
I may have to pick up a pair of Auto Zones finest (read: $20-est) shocks.
I’m on a work trip in Las Vegas... What am I doing with my free time? Trying to fix my POS truck... Ugh.
"adamftw" (adamftw)
06/09/2017 at 07:39, STARS: 0
Theres been a lot of people reporting balance issues with the KO2s.... BFG has even been replacing sets. No hate, they’re great tires and I run them.
"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
06/09/2017 at 08:16, STARS: 0
Does it feel for sure like it’s coming from the front? As I recall, you just put in a rebuilt rear end - maybe something isn’t quite right down there?
"XJDano" (xjdano)
06/09/2017 at 08:51, STARS: 1
I’ve changed my oil in a hotel parking lot.
"Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?" (autophile412)
06/09/2017 at 09:01, STARS: 1
Tie rod ends and control arm bushings. I had that similar issue with an Audi a while back and it turned out to be a bad control arm.
"Autophile412 - what's the world got in store?" (autophile412)
06/09/2017 at 09:02, STARS: 0
If it worsens in a turn check your control arms. Trust me.
"Dave the car guy , still here" (a3dave)
06/09/2017 at 09:26, STARS: 0
Thats what I was leaning towards when he said it had a jackhammer feel. I think we’ve all seen a car with a bad shock where one wheel is bouncing out of control.
"Sweet Trav" (thespunbearing)
06/09/2017 at 09:47, STARS: 1
Not just not damping... Acting like a slide hammer.
"Meatcoma" (mastapoof)
06/09/2017 at 12:14, STARS: 0
U joint would be my best guess.
My sons pathfinder had that same issue and we replaced the ujoints for like $20 and it fixed the issue.
On your car there will probably be 3 but they are like 7 or 8 bucks each.
"Tristan" (casselts)
06/09/2017 at 13:00, STARS: 0
The ball joints don’t feel sloppy, but the upper and lower bushings look pretty dry rotted.
"Tristan" (casselts)
06/09/2017 at 13:01, STARS: 1
That’s almost what it feels like.
"Tristan" (casselts)
06/09/2017 at 13:02, STARS: 0
Interesting... I know the ones on my jeep took a bunch of weight to get right, but they’re smooth as can be.
"Tristan" (casselts)
06/09/2017 at 13:03, STARS: 1
The vibe was there prior to the rear end replacement and it made no difference.
"Tristan" (casselts)
06/09/2017 at 13:04, STARS: 0
Right on. It’ll be getting a front end rebuild when I get home. I need more tools than what I brought with me for that!