UKNOWN VIBRATION

[Slow Ride]

My tow vehicle is a 2011 Ford F350 with about 174K miles. I have developed a vibration that I cant find. I have balance and rotated tires, later I ended up replacing wheels and tires, balanced and rotated again, had an alignment done, replaced rotors and pads on front and back. Still, the vibration persists. Most noticeable when braking but is always there at virtually all speeds above about 40mph. What am I missing?

 

[alldodge]

Is this a 4x4 and have the ball joints been checked or replaced?

 

[Slow Ride]

yes it is, and no they have not been replaced since this started. I did replace the front ones along with all of the steering components about a year ago. I'm good with tools but not familiar with this process. Is there a way to check them here at home?

 

[64osby]

U joints in drive train? Trans going bad? Motor mounts, trans mounts?

I had an older F350 diesel that had a flywheel break, cost over $5k to fix. That caused a definite vibration.

 

[alldodge]

The folks doing the alignment should have checked the ball joints. To check jack up the axle with the tire just off the ground. Then put a crow bar under the tire and try to lift it while watching the ball socket to see if it moves, there should be no movement.

Agree the most probable issue would be the U-joints in the drive lines and the first ones to check would be the ones on the front axle. With the wheel off the ground, rotate the wheel a bit and forth while watching the U joint, there should be no play. Same goes for the ones going to/from the transfer case

 

[airshot]

Even if the U joints show no play you may want to see if they are tied up (lack of grease) many years back had a similar vibration and found a joint that was rusted pretty tight, it had no play but did not want to flex, probably in a short period of time my driveshaft would have come off. Just a suggestion....oh and also check to see if any of the balance weights may have come off the driveshaft.

 

[keith2k455]

If you have a quality alignment done, all front suspension components would have been checked and repaired prior to aligning.

It seems like what you are experiencing may be tire "shimmy". Unfortunately, the only fix for this is new tires.

For what is worth, I had my truck chalked up to shimmy in tires. I had one shop about 8k mi ago check my suspension and they gave it a clean bill. I was getting ready to buy tires. When I had my compressor work done, shop #2 said my wheel bearing (I knew this was wearing)along with pitman and idler arms needed replaced. I took the truck to goodyear for these three items and alignment, the thing drives like the Cadillac it is now.

Point being, how much do you trust the suspension diagnosis and do you have another set of wheels to try?

 

[Bayou Dave]

It's possible that the problem is the drive shaft. Years ago I had that problem. There was a small weight welded on it that fell off and caused the vibration. Got it rebalanced and problem solved.

 

[joetheis]

If you had the drive shaft and "U" joints checked and are good.
What hit me was after 40 mph, your in Over Drive.
Try leaving it OUT of Over Drive.
Fords trans will vibrate on pulling in O.D.
In O.D., your in a gear higher, the torque converter is "floating", (not pumping a lot of fluid psi, like coasting) and the clutches COULD be slipping.
I use O.D. sparingly when towing, coasting down hill, etc.
Try that.
Joe
take any advice I give with a can of beer er 2!

 

[Redfred1]

If your truck is LWB; It might be the carrier bearing on the drive shaft. Just another guess!

 

[NHGuy]

You really ought to take it to an independent tire and auto center. Preferably one that does more truck stuff. They are the best versed in these situations.
There are so many possibilities it boggles people.