Front End Vibrations at Highway Speeds
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Joined: Sep 2023
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From: Chicago, Illinois
Front End Vibrations at Highway Speeds
'93 Ranger 4.0 4WD.
I'm experiencing a lot of vibrations at highway speeds, around 60+ mph. Initially I went in for an alignment at a reputable shop and they essentially quoted me for an entire front end rebuild. Although I didn't fully agree with it considering the lack of play in the parts upon my own inspection, I decided to do a refresh on the entire front end because as far as I was aware, it was all original and the vibrations were present. I replaced both inner and outer tie rods; the adjusting sleeves; as well as the upper and lower ball joints. The guy doing the alignment still didn't want to do it because of the play in the steering wheel (it's a Ford after all) but said he would try his best anyway which I appreciated. I thought about adjusting play at the steering box but decided not to mess with it considering what I've read and how touchy it could be.
After all of that the vibration is still present. Oddly enough at highway speeds, steering has got sketchier and if the steering wheel doesn't have pressure on it (in the area of play) while going over certain bumps, the truck seems to try and kill me moving one way or another which didn't happen before. If I push the poor truck enough, I will get vibrations pretty much throughout the cab (at the wheel, seats, door panels, floor, pedals, basically the whole cab).
Unfortunately this is all I have for school and I travel on the highway minimum twice a week. I'm sure the tires will need to be replaced soon but I also question the state of the driveshaft. When I pulled the transmission, I did all the u-joints on the driveshaft but foolishly didn't mark the original orientation of it so I wonder if that is part of the problem. Would it cause damage if I were to shift into neutral and then back into Drive (A4LD automatic) at highway speeds to determine if any of that vibration is from an unbalanced driveshaft? I will need tires regardless but I am willing to get my driveshaft balanced as well if I can confirm that is part of the issue. Any help or insight it greatly appreciated.
I'm experiencing a lot of vibrations at highway speeds, around 60+ mph. Initially I went in for an alignment at a reputable shop and they essentially quoted me for an entire front end rebuild. Although I didn't fully agree with it considering the lack of play in the parts upon my own inspection, I decided to do a refresh on the entire front end because as far as I was aware, it was all original and the vibrations were present. I replaced both inner and outer tie rods; the adjusting sleeves; as well as the upper and lower ball joints. The guy doing the alignment still didn't want to do it because of the play in the steering wheel (it's a Ford after all) but said he would try his best anyway which I appreciated. I thought about adjusting play at the steering box but decided not to mess with it considering what I've read and how touchy it could be.
After all of that the vibration is still present. Oddly enough at highway speeds, steering has got sketchier and if the steering wheel doesn't have pressure on it (in the area of play) while going over certain bumps, the truck seems to try and kill me moving one way or another which didn't happen before. If I push the poor truck enough, I will get vibrations pretty much throughout the cab (at the wheel, seats, door panels, floor, pedals, basically the whole cab).
Unfortunately this is all I have for school and I travel on the highway minimum twice a week. I'm sure the tires will need to be replaced soon but I also question the state of the driveshaft. When I pulled the transmission, I did all the u-joints on the driveshaft but foolishly didn't mark the original orientation of it so I wonder if that is part of the problem. Would it cause damage if I were to shift into neutral and then back into Drive (A4LD automatic) at highway speeds to determine if any of that vibration is from an unbalanced driveshaft? I will need tires regardless but I am willing to get my driveshaft balanced as well if I can confirm that is part of the issue. Any help or insight it greatly appreciated.
Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 752
Likes: 77
From: Molokai, Hawaii
it sounds like you have the suspension under control. the steering box could do that. jack up the frontend and grab a wheel top to bottom move it back and forth and see if you can get any play. then try it sideways. do the other side too. you need to find where it has movement. If its at the steering box you'll need to replace it.
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