Bad shake at highway speed

[L321]

I have a 2009 B4000 4wd that has a bad shake/vibration at highway speeds. It will shake the truck and can really see and feel it in the steering wheel. This has done this every since I got the truck years ago. Since I have had the truck I have had new brakes, new, shocks, new tires, new wheels, new universal joints, new ball joints, new wheel bearings, removed the front axle, tire balance and alignments and nothing has helped. The tire wear is fine and drives straight but with a bad shake. It also seems to be worse the warmer the weather gets.

Does anyone have any idea what could be causing this?

Thanks!

 

[tw205]

Driveshaft bent or out of balance. Bad or improperly installed ujoint. Seems you’ve replaced most everything else.

 

[Uncle Gump]

You may have a bent wheel... or two.

 

[55trucker]

A the time you did the brakes were the rotors also replaced?

 

[L321]

Driveshaft bent or out of balance. Bad or improperly installed ujoint. Seems you’ve replaced most everything else.

I have thought about the driveshaft. Even used ones are $600+ and haven't found a place that balances them around me. The driveshaft is fairly rusted/flaky. I would gladly pay whatever the cost is for a driveshaft, but would hate to pay that much and it not help anything.

 

[L321]

You may have a bent wheel... or two.

I have had brand new wheels and tires put on and it didn't change anything.

 

[L321]

A the time you did the brakes were the rotors also replaced?

Yes, have replaced rotors, pads, drums, and shoes

 

[55trucker]

Try putting all 4 corners up on stands as close to the wheels as possible and get the drivetrain going, spin it up to the speed where you begin to feel the vibration, basically attempting to duplicate the issue motionless.

 

[L321]

Try putting all 4 corners up on stands as close to the wheels as possible and get the drivetrain going, spin it up to the speed where you begin to feel the vibration, basically attempting to duplicate the issue motionless.

I will try that, but will need to pick up another pair of jack stands first.

 

[Uncle Gump]

Can you drive a bit faster and the vibration goes away?

Typical sign of a balance issue.

Also have you tried rotation of tires to see if it moves?

 

[L321]

Can you drive a bit faster and the vibration goes away?

Typical sign of a balance issue.

Also have you tried rotation of tires to see if it moves?

Vibration gets worse if go faster. Have rotated tires and doesn't change. Have had tires rotated and balanced with old wheels and tires, old wheels and new tires, and new wheels and new tires and doesn't change.

 

[tw205]

Check that your driveshaft U joints are indexed correctly.

 

[L321]

I have thought about the driveshaft. Even used ones are $600+ and haven't found a place that balances them around me. The driveshaft is fairly rusted/flaky. I would gladly pay whatever the cost is for a driveshaft, but would hate to pay that much and it not help anything.

Just checked and can get a used driveshaft from a Ranger for around $100 and would be willing to give that a try. I am assuming it's the exact same? I have found that a lot, can by the same part with the Ford name on it for a lot less than a Mazda labelled part.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I believe the driveshaft will inerchange. There really isn't much left beside the driveshaft.

But remember... that a driveshaft will vibrate at a different frequency the a wheel/tire. So you have to ask yourself... does it vibrate a wheel speed or driveshaft speed?

 

[L321]

I believe the driveshaft will inerchange. There really isn't much left beside the driveshaft.

But remember... that a driveshaft will vibrate at a different frequency the a wheel/tire. So you have to ask yourself... does it vibrate a wheel speed or driveshaft speed?

It is a steady shake, but not at a really high frequency like I would expect from a driveshaft. The fact that it doesn't seem as bad in cold weather makes me wonder if there is a rubber bushing or something similar wore out somewhere.