Well, by the time I got back to Windsor, I had the same vibration in the truck. I called the shop to see what they were saying and they said something wrong with the truck. I told them about the Michelins running nice and smooth but they still say truck. Anyhow, I am going to another shop that can balance everything right on the truck. The guy there was saying that it could be a "fitment" problem with the rims, who knows. Man, this sucks ... try to get a nice looking tire for my truck and everything goes to he!! with it.

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

 

You've already proven that it's something in the rear tire/wheels. See if the other shop you're going to can isolate it. If they can, have them document it, and take them back for replacement.

Take care
~Chris

 

PKRWUD: That is what I am in the process of doing. The other shop (Serbu) seems to be interested in helping so I will try them till I get shut down. So far, he has eliminated my axles from being bent so that is another good thing. He (Bob) had the back two tires off (getting vibration through seat) and he doesn't really like the way the wheels mount to the truck. There are small burrs on the lug holes and the centre caps were sticking out a little when completely in. He also put them on the balancing machine (Coats) and only the driver's side was out by 1/2 an ounce on the outside of the wheel. He did notice that there was some run out as he called it on the two wheels on the inside. He stuck them back on the truck without the centre caps and told me to try it. If I still get the vibration, he wants me to bring two of my aluminum/Michelin combinations and then switch out the front set with the rear and then put the A/M's on the back. Technically this should move the vibration to the front (steering wheel) and smooth via the rear end (seat). If this does happen then we can probably rule the wheels are bad. If this doesn't work and I still have the vibration in the rear then the differential will have to come apart I guess. Time will tell and I will keep everyone updated with the findings as I continue this voyage.

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

 

IzzyEddy,

Did you test your O2 sensors yet???

I had a vibration in my truck that came about shortly after a dual exhaust and new set of tires were installed so I though one or both were the cause. It was a vibration that I only felt on the highway. I thought that my tires may have lost a weight but it seemed as though the engine was running rich so I replaced the O2 sensors on the exhaust manifold. This fixed it for about 80 miles but then it came back so I tested the sensors behind the cats and found that my drivers side sensor was bad.

What was happening is that the engine would warm up and the voltage would increase as it should but after about 5 minutes at normal operating temp the voltage signal from the sensor would slowly drop until it was at zero and the engine would start to run rough. I could only feel the vibration on the hwy. If I were on city streets or reving the engine in Park or Nuetral there was no vibration.

 

AjRagno, I just had the O2 sensor replaced a week ago. The sensor ended up going into completely rich and then it would go completely lean. Sending codes all over the place, changed it out for a new one from Ford (Bosch) and I still have the vibration. I believe it has something to do with the wheels and tires. There was some run out on the rear two, so I am thinking that it may have been a bad wheel. Don't know yet, I will be going into the tire shop tomorrow to talk to the guy some more and to do some more testing with my Michelin's.

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

 

Well, I went to the tire shop that I have been dealing with and they rotated the tires. Front to back and back to front. Took it out for a test drive and NOW I have a slight vibration on the front end and it almost seems like a worse vibration on the rear of the truck. Man, it just never gets better does it !! I went back to the shop and he said that the next thing is to take the T/A's off the chromies and put them on my Aluminum wheels and seem how it rides then. If it is my chrome wheels, I will have to see what they will do. Bob said that they generally don't take them back once they are mounted on the wheels !!! Just my luck, they could have been bent right from the get go and now I would have to replace them myself. Oh man !!!

I will be home this weekend so I will be getting my other two wheel/tire combinations and I may even put them on the truck to make sure that there is no vibration at all with them on.

Until next time !!

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

 

Well went over to the shop today after running for a complete day on my aluminum/michelin combination. I had a really slight vibration but nothing that I couldn't tolerate with over 180,000 kms on the truck and extra load tires on too. Anyhow, they took the michelin's and pulled them off of the aluminum wheels and put them on the chromies. And put the BFGoodrich Radial T/A's on the aluminum wheels. Took the T/A's out for a spin and nothing major, went back and put the michelin's back on. Getting close to going to work, so I went home and got ready, jumped in the truck and left. Going down the road and I got the vibration. I will test this scenerio in the next couple of days and then I might even put the T/A's back on to double check. Then I will return to the shop that I bought the wheels from to see what they will do, should they still be the problem. It will definitely be interested to see what they are going to say about this !!!

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

 

Yeap, the vibration is still there. What I have done in the recent past is, I found a tire shop in London that has the Hunter Load Force Balancing Machine. I went to them and they switched my tires back so I have my original set of winter and summer tires again. Michelin's on aluminum (OEM) and the T/A's on the steel chome American Racing.

So here is the problem that I am now down to. The London shop found that I have a bad tire (T/A) that I need to get replaced and I will go back and have it matched-load force balanced for next spring. BUT as I now have my Aluminum/Michelin's on for the winter time, I still have the vibration in the rear end !!! Also the bad tire happened to be on the driver's rear. I had the truck emission tested yesterday and they put it on a set of rollers to simulate actual road driving conditions. I noticed the driver's rear to be bouncing slightly. I quickly checked the drive shaft and it seemed to be good, no visual bouncing. I stood behind the truck and the passenger side was running smoothly. Now I know the passenger rear axle is the main drive axle and the driver's is not.

What I am now trying to figure out is what is wrong with the rear end !!! I have pressed down on the rear of the truck to test the shocks and they seem to be fine. I hear no abnormal noises and the tires have been just balanced.

What is the odds of the rear driver's side axle being bent, the Limited Slip clutch packs are gone, the bearings are shot OR anything else anyone can come up with. I am now going out on the limb and I am about ready to change the entire rear end out along with new rear brakes, drums and anything else JUST to eliminate this damn thing. As much as I don't wish to say this but the truck is becoming very close to being put on the "get rid of" list. It has almost 184,000 kms and has been well maintained. The rear end oil changed just over 100,000 kms and will be changed again at 200,000 kms.

Please help as I am growing very impatient with this !!! Any ideas will be GREATLY appreciated and carefully considered as I am now down to the impossible causes.

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

 

The only purpose the shock absorber has is to control spring bounce. it sounds like the bad tire may have damaged the drivers side shock. That's where I'd put my money.

Take care,
-Chris

 

Chris, actually after reading my post. I may have confused you with the order in which stuff happened. On Tuesday, I had the truck emission tested and that is where I saw the rear of the truck bouncing. Then on Wednesday, I went to London for the tire/wheel balancing at Bob William's. Does that change your thought on my problem here or not ???

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

 

If the wheel you saw bouncing while running on the lift was the same one that was determined to be bad the next day, then you would need to see if it bounced with a good tire on it. If it does, the shock is damaged. If it doesn't, the bouncing was caused by the defective tire, but was caught before shock damage occured.

Take care,
-Chris

 

Chris: What is your opinion on the possibility of the rear end causing me all of these problems ????? I have not eliminated the shocks yet but they are only about $30 each to replace compared to the costs on the rear end work. I am looking at about $125 for all of the bearings, $125 for the Limited Slip Kit and around $250 - $300 for the labour, plus the oil and taxes. I was thinking about going to Red Line Synthetic Oil too when I do this along with the tranmission when it comes time to change(200,000 kms). People say that you may hear noises coming from the rear end. They say it could be a Hmmm noise to an actual grinding or clunking noise. I have the Raven Z55 muffler so this stuff is not easy to hear anymore. Just wondering what your opinions are on this. Thanks for all your help and for keeping up with all of my posts.

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

 

Dean, stop throwing money at it. Complete what you are doing now, and see how it rides. Replace the shocks. As far as the rear end goes, it absolutely should not need work. If you really suspect it to be at fault, pay the $50 and have it thoroughly inspected, professionally.

Unless of course you like throwing money at your truck, in which case I think you should move down here to beautiful sunny Ventura, California, and become one of my regular customers.

Take care,
-Chris

 

E-A-S-Y big guy !!! Chris, I only wanted to know what your opinion on the rear end was. I really don't suspect the rear end either but I am starting to get down to the nitty-gritty stuff. I have talked to a few people around here and they say that the rear end should be fine BUT that doesn't mean it is. I am slowly eliminating things so I don't have to go into the rear end. I have already spent close to $1000 between brand new rims, adjusted tires, switching rims and tires with OEM's and then back again along with numerous balancings. I hope that it is the shocks but I find it hard to believe as they were replaced about 1 - 1 1/2 years ago. But hey, things go bad !! I understand that. If I became one of your customers you would probably hate me after the 5th visit as I ask alot of questions. Besides, I can't leave poor little old Neal up here all by himself to race all of these victims. I have to try and get some too.

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

 

Hey guys just recently worked on a 2001 F 150 reg cab long bed with front end vibrations. The owner took it to Ford and they replaced al 4 tires with 4 new ones, same problem. I got ahold of it and this truck was built in Norfolk and the front wheel bearing nuts were loose and tightened them up and the problem went away instantly.

Just my $0.02 worth

ShowYa in Kansas City