Violent Shaking

[qiksho]

Recently I noticed a shaking from the front end. I took it in to the ford dealer and they said I needed a left outer tie rod end. He said he could move the wheel about an inch. I had it replaced and had the wheels aligned and balanced and I still have the same problem. It is only real noticeable under power in 2-4 gears. It isn't noticeable slowing down or anything.

 

[sdpatt]

Are you saying you still have the shaking problem and that you can also move the tire about 1"? Then the tire rod end wasn't the problem. Is the shaking dependent on the car speed or engine speed? Check the wheel bearings. There could also be a problem with the drive axle.

Just because a shop put the wheels and tires on a balancing machine doesn't mean the tires are properly balanced. If the shake is car or road speed dependent, it could still be a way out of balance tire. Do you still have the slicers? The wheel should be mounted on the balancing machine with the spring first, then the metal cone, then the wheel, then the plastic cup and the "T" handle to tighten the whole asembly to the backplate. The wheel must be concentricly mounted on the shaft. If you see any rim or tire tread movement while the tire is spinning, there is a chance this didn't happen.

 

[qiksho]

I am pretty sure it is NOT the wheels. It shook real bad with my old wheels and tires also. I just put the slicers and tires on and had it all balanced and realigned after they replaced the tie rod. I have not had the time or place to look at anything. The cv joints/axles have both been replaced within the last year.

Vibration is speed/gear related. No shake in first any rpm. 2nd - 4th shaking at any rpm. shaking in 5th only at or below 55 mph. Possibly a wheel bearing??

 

[sdpatt]

Possibly. You need to jack the tires off the ground and check for any play in the hub bearings on both sides. There should not be any play in the hub.

My front wheel bearings failed after 240,000 miles and 11 years. They first exhibited themselves by sounding and feeling like a worn brake pad grinding into a rotor. The hub was already damaged and needed replacement at this point. Don't wait to check this out. If they bearings fail catastophically you can do a great deal of damage to your suspension.

Scott

 

[naval-avi8or]

I agree with Scott, check your wheel bearings. I would change mine if you've done all the other things you said you did and it didn't fix it. Wheel bearings are cheap. If you have one fail 99.9% chance you will shear the wheel off the hub and do major body and suspension damage (been there, done that). Depending on the speed at which this failure occures it could result in more than damage to your car.

<small>[ April 04, 2002, 01:29 AM: Message edited by: naval-avi8or ]</small>