For the guys that have steering wheel vibration,I was just wondering what size wheels you have.

The FX4 I test drove this past weekend had 17s and it vibrated.

Anybody have vibration with 18s?

Andy

 

All with vibrations prior to you that I have heard of have been Lariat's or FX4's with 18" wheels.

 

There went my theroy

 

Another theory...Maybe, just maybe, some of the 'vibrations' can be attributed to rack and pinion steering road feedback. Without clear descriptions, it's difficult to diagnose. I noticed the difference between the precision '04 and my '97 ball and worm (dead feeling with poor center definition). But, who knows? Certainly, unbalanced wheels is a good candidate?

 

I have a Lariat with 18" wheels and BF Goodrich tires. Dealer has balanced tires (twice), aligned front end, replaced steering gear and still it vibrates. I have 4700 miles on the truck. I am still hopeful they can resolve the problem.

 

I'm beginning to think this vibration is the nature of the beast.

I've had other cars, most notably an 01 Miata, that you almost couldn't get the steering wheel smooth.

The front end is extremely sensitive to road variations.

I've had my wheels balanced now three times in 7k miles. There is just a hint of vibration now, and it comes and goes. Fact is, it really doesn't even bother me anymore.

 

this shouldn't be the nature of the beast though---cars have been around for 100 years and rides shouldn't get worse==I have a 99 Ranger that I am trading that I paid 21k for and has 65000 miles---It rides absolutely smooth as crap at 80mph---I will die if I trade this off for a 38k ride that cant even go without vibrating---with all the posts I have read, this looks to be a pretty serious problem----completely inexcusable

 

I traded in a 2001 Chevy Silverado with 90k miles. With worn shocks and no name tires there was no vibration in that truck at any speed. I drove another Lariat this past weekend that had none of the vibration I've been experiencing. Since they don't all do it my thinking is there is something that needs to be corrected.

 

I've had my Lariat with 18" wheels since 10/30 and with almost 2500 miles I have had no vibration in the steering.

 

I got 2000 miles on my 04 Lariat 4x4 supercab no vibration at all smooth as silk and tracks straight as an arrow

 

I've found that that wheel balance is normally the culprit on a new truck. If the wheels have been balanced since you took delivery, look at the wheel weights. Is there a BIG one or several close together? If so, the tire, the wheel, or both could have their minor balance problems located at the same point (an extra ounce of rubber and an extra ounce of wheel located at the same point).

The solution could be to have the shop rotate the tire on the wheel by 180-degrees. Then balance the wheel. Those big or multiple weights should not be there. It doesn't always work, but it does work many times.

If it doesn't work and it's a balance problem, a good tech might swap tires (good balanced tire/wheel). If the probem moves to the "good" wheel, the tire needs replacement. If the good tire is now bad, the wheel needs replacement.

Confused? Just try to keep all of the swapping straight. Good luck!

 

There's no vibration in the steering of my '04 FX4 SCrew with 17's. I don't have the "slipping" problem in the rear end either.

 

I had vibration when we first got our Screw, then it went away.

Now its back, just like someone thru a switch.

It goes away when tires warm up, I am wondering if it is tire related. It's cold here now and it sure does it until the tires get hot.

Any other thoughts.?

freddy

 

Printable View (12 KB)
Article No.
03-20-8 STEERING - STEERING WHEEL NIBBLE AT OR ABOVE 100 KM/H (60 MPH) - VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 8/20/2003
VIBRATION - STEERING WHEEL NIBBLE AT OR ABOVE 100 KM/H (60 MPH) - VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 8/20/2003

Publication Date: October 1, 2003

FORD: 2004 F-150


ISSUE:
Some F-150 vehicles built prior to 8/20/2003, may exhibit a Steering Wheel Shimmy/Nibble at 100 km/h (60 MPH) and greater speeds. The condition is felt in the steering wheel as a side-to-side, or rotational, oscillation. When measured (sensor on steering wheel) with an Electronic Vibration Analyzer (EVA), the measured frequency is between 12-16 Hz.

ACTION:
To service, it may be necessary to replace the Steering Gear. Refer to the following Service Procedure.

SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTE: BEFORE BEGINNING THIS PROCEDURE, ENSURE THAT THE TIRES DO NOT HAVE FLAT SPOTS. IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR UP TO 30 MILES TO ELIMINATE THIS CONDITION.



NOTE: FOR 4X2 VEHICLES GO DIRECTLY TO STEP 2.



Check the Integrated Wheel End (IWE) on 4x4 units. Raise the front of the vehicle (wheels off the ground), engine running, vehicle in 2WD mode. The front half shafts should not turn when wheels are rotated by hand. If the IWE is functioning correctly proceed to Step 2. If not, refer to the Workshop Manual section 308-07 to repair IWE first. Then proceed to Step 2.
If road force measurement equipment (Hunter GSP9700/9712, or equivalent) is available, proceed to Step 3. If not, mark the original tire/wheel location on each tire. (i.e. LF, LR, RF, RR) and remove from the vehicle. Check wheel balance, and re-balance as required to achieve a less than 0.25 oz (7g) of imbalance. Reinstall wheels and test drive vehicle. If the condition is corrected return the vehicle to the customer. If not, re-seat the bead on all four tires re-balance as required and test drive vehicle. If the condition is corrected return the vehicle to the customer. If not, proceed to Step 5.
If road force measurement equipment is available (Hunter GSP9700/9712, or equivalent), measure the tire road force variation on all four tires, following the manufacturer's instructions and TSB 02-1-6. If any wheel assembly measures more than the values listed below for R1H or R2H then proceed to Step 4. If not proceed to Step 5.

Tire Type R1H R2H
P Metric Tires 26 lbs. 18 lbs.
LT Tires 39 lbs. 27 lbs.


Using the tire road force measurement machine, determine the low spot of the wheel run out. Match high point force variation on the tire with the low spot of wheel run out. Re-test the wheel assembly force variation. If the wheel assembly is now acceptable, rebalance and test drive vehicle. If the condition is corrected return the vehicle to the customer. If not, replace the tire and re-check, then rebalance and test drive vehicle. If the condition is corrected return the vehicle to the customer. If not, proceed to Step 5.
Swap tire/wheel assemblies from front to rear and left to right, re-evaluate the vehicle for every combination. If the condition is corrected return the vehicle to the customer. If not, proceed to Step 6.
Replace Steering Gear. Refer to the part application chart below.
NOTE: DO NOT REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR IF LATEST LEVEL IS ALREADY INSTALLED. THE LATEST LEVEL CAN BE IDENTIFIED BY A GREEN PAINT DOT ON THE BAR CODE LABEL LOCATED NEAR THE RIGHT SIDE BUSHING BRACKET, AND/OR BY THE FIRST 5 DIGITS OF THE SERIAL NUMBER ON THE BAR CODE LABEL. IF THE FIRST 5 DIGITS OF THE SERIAL NUMBER ARE GREATER THAN: 21003 ALL CREW CAB AND SUPER CAB EXCEPT 133" WHEEL BASE, OR 21603 ALL REGULAR CAB AND SUPER CAB WITH 133" WHEEL BASE, THE STEERING GEAR IS THE LATEST LEVEL.



PARTS APPLICATION CHART
Vehicles Part Number Part Name
Super Cab & SuperCrew 4x2 4L3Z-3504-AB Steering Gear
Super Cab & SuperCrew 4x4 4L3Z-3504-BB Steering Gear
Regular Cab 4x2 4L3Z-3504-CB Steering Gear
Regular Cab 4x4 4L3Z-3504-DB Steering Gear

 

awesome info,, thanks