I have a 2004 F150 XLT with a 3 Inch Body Lift, 2.5 Leveling Kit, and 33inch BFG Tires. Lately, I have started to experience mild Wheel Shakes at highway speeds but enough to get annoying.

I am almost positive that its because of the bigger tires and all the driving I've done since I bought it last October.

Now I believe it can be as simple as the tire pressure, but whats recommended for our cars with 33" Tires?

Also, I believe it could be the Alignment all messed up.........my wheel isn't centered with the Ford Emblem sitting straight, it drives straight with the emblem leaning to my right a few inches....isn't that weird?

Any experience on this would be great. I figure I probably need an alignment every few months lol

 

I had that when I dropped mine. Alignment solved it.

 

Does it start at a certain speed and goes away if you go faster/slower?

If it does go away it is more than likely an balance issue.

 

Yeah i think it gets worse as I pick up speed. Doesn't do it as much at low speeds but my steering wheel still sits tilted to the right which is weird

 

I had the same issue last weekend...took the truck in to get the wheels balanced...issue fixed.

With your steering wheel tilted, you probably need an alignment, too...take it in, and have both done at the same time...it will feel good as new.

 

Sound's more like a balance issue than alignment. I've been lucky with my truck. I had the leveling kit installed 4 yrs. ago and only had 1 alignment since. Truck track's better than stock and tires have over 40k miles on them with no balance problems or unusual wear either.

 

did you get an alignment when the 33's and level were put on? if so the steering wheel wasnt centered when they did it, or to many bumps have knock her over. id check the front bearings too, they will give vibration at highway speeds when they start to fail

 

I am not even sure.....the previous owner installed all that. I would assume he did since he was a real car guy.

Any idea how much ford will charge for something like that? $$$ I don't have....grrr

 

I bet it was the bumps since I have hit many unavoidable pot holes and have taking it offroading to go apple picking with the girl......even hit a few small snow mounds during the winter and caught some air by accident Can't help it when your sliding on ice

 

ditto. when i start to notice the wobble, i know it's time to air up the tires. the p.o.s. stockers loose air all the time. anyway, check your pressure on all 4. if it doesn't go all the way away, a balance may be in order. a balance did the trick for me before.

 

Is the correct psi on 33s the same as the stockers or should it be higher?

 

It should say the "max" tire pressure on the side of the tire. I like to stay 5-7 PSI under that myself. No it will not or should not be the same as the stocks, as your BFG's are more than likely a stiffer ply tire.

 

chances are pretty good you joined the steering wheel shimmy club. Search these forums for shimmy / nibble and look for the super long thread.

Here's a link to it :

https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...el-nibble.html

 

thanks guys and hopefully it's as simple as a wheel alignment or low tire pressure lol

 

Doesnt the tie rods come in to play also ?? if they are going bad