• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Bad shake at highway speed


Uncle Gump

Boomers gotta Boom
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
TRS 25th Anniversary
Joined
Sep 17, 2018
Messages
14,656
Reaction score
14,936
Location
Ottawa IL
Vehicle Year
2006/1986
Make / Model
Ranger/BroncoII
Engine Size
4.0L SOHC/2.9L
2WD / 4WD
4WD
My credo
Lead follow or get out of my way
Driveshaft would be high frequency.

Perhaps a halfshaft...

What kind of tires? Mud terrains? Highway tread? And what brand?
 


55trucker

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 1, 2016
Messages
602
Reaction score
184
Location
Oshawa, Ontario
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
Total Lift
-
Total Drop
mild
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.
With the truck up off the ground pull the front driveshaft to eliminate all of the front drive components, if the vibation goes away you've narrowed down which end of the truck the issue is at. Reinstall the shaft, pull the front wheels off, test again, what do you get? No change?....not the wheels but something else in the front end rotating mass, there's not much left except the half shafts. rotors (machined out of balance), front drive shaft or on the far outside chance the front diff.
 

L321

Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2013
Messages
16
Reaction score
1
Vehicle Year
2009
Make / Model
Mazda
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Driveshaft would be high frequency.

Perhaps a halfshaft...

What kind of tires? Mud terrains? Highway tread? And what brand?
I have slightly oversize tires, Trailfinder All Terrain 265/75. It had factory size tires on it when I got it and did the same thing. I have had 3 sets of tires on 2 sets of wheels and symptom hasn't changed any regardless of balancing, including road force balance, rotation of tires, etc.

I put the rear up on jack stands and run it up to 70 mph and didn't seem too bad, just what I would expect with large tires spinning that fast. I will have to get another set of stands to get all 4 wheels of the ground.

The driveshaft I picked up from the ranger will bolt to the rear end but not the transfer case, mine has a larger bolt pattern. Looks like can change the yokes and should work. I am thinking about doing this as the driveshaft looks to be in a lot better shape than mine.

I did notice that the bushings in the lower control arms and on the front differential don't look to be in very good condition, but I wouldn't think this would cause a very consistent shake, would it? I would also think this would cause abnormal tire wire if this was the issue and tire wire is fine.
 

Attachments

rumblecloud

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 6, 2020
Messages
1,523
Reaction score
1,273
Location
48022
Vehicle Year
1994
Make / Model
Ranger Splash
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1-1/2 inch front leveling
Total Drop
Stock
Tire Size
31/10.50/15
My credo
What's the worst that could happen?
Do you have manual locking front hubs or do you drive with them locked but not engaged?
I doubt that you do, but if you do, look up u joint phasing.

A long shot, but maybe...
 

L321

Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2013
Messages
16
Reaction score
1
Vehicle Year
2009
Make / Model
Mazda
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Do you have manual locking front hubs or do you drive with them locked but not engaged?
I doubt that you do, but if you do, look up u joint phasing.

A long shot, but maybe...
I don't have manual hubs, still the way it came from the factory. The axles do spin all the time though. I know the history of the truck from around 50k miles and the cv axles haven't been out of it since then. Could have had something done before then.
 

96zjlaredo

Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2012
Messages
7
Reaction score
1
Location
Yamhill, OR
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5" front leveling kit.
Tire Size
31 x 10.5 x 15
I've been chasing the same issue in my 97 for years. New wheels/tires, all new U-joints and carrier bearing for the 2 piece driveline, new rotors/calipers/pads/drims/shoes, front wheel bearings, trans/x-fer case mount and new shocks. U-joints and carrier bearing have been done 2x. I don't feel mine that much in the steering wheel but the shifter shakes like crazy at 43mph then goes away until 56-61 mph then it goes away again. used a GPS speedo since my dash speedo is off a bit. I'm about to put an exploder LSD/disc rear in it and want to convert to a 1 piece driveshaft. Plan on doing the axle first to see if the shakes go away after that due to a possible bent shaft because the shake feels like it's coming from the rear of the truck. If that doesn't solve the problem, I'll try to find a 1 piece shaft and pray that gets rid of it.

Good luck with your shakes!
 

scotts90ranger

Well-Known Member
RBV's on Boost
Joined
Feb 28, 2001
Messages
8,629
Reaction score
5,257
Location
Dayton Oregon
Vehicle Year
1990, 1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.3 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.3 Turbo
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6
Tire Size
35"
One thing I didn't see in the original list is tie rod ends, have they been changed/looked at? I was honestly scared on my '00 Explorer when the tie rod end decided one day it was going to be a jerk... (I think it was the first day driving with the Jeep wheels/tires with scalloped tires...), was fine up til 50mph...

96zjlaredo, I'm just south of you in Dayton... I don't have any bright ideas on your issue right now but we could look things over sometime if you wanted... as dumb as it sounds my cobbled together '90 doesn't have any vibrations even through 75mph, it's a regular cab so shorter driveline though... when my driveline was bent and twisted it did do similar though so I wonder if one of the previous replies on driveline phase might be onto something...
 

96zjlaredo

Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2012
Messages
7
Reaction score
1
Location
Yamhill, OR
Vehicle Year
1997
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
4.0 V6
Engine Size
4.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
1.5" front leveling kit.
Tire Size
31 x 10.5 x 15
One thing I didn't see in the original list is tie rod ends, have they been changed/looked at? I was honestly scared on my '00 Explorer when the tie rod end decided one day it was going to be a jerk... (I think it was the first day driving with the Jeep wheels/tires with scalloped tires...), was fine up til 50mph...

96zjlaredo, I'm just south of you in Dayton... I don't have any bright ideas on your issue right now but we could look things over sometime if you wanted... as dumb as it sounds my cobbled together '90 doesn't have any vibrations even through 75mph, it's a regular cab so shorter driveline though... when my driveline was bent and twisted it did do similar though so I wonder if one of the previous replies on driveline phase might be onto something...
hey neighbor! ;)

I thought about the phasing as well and tried it a few different ways. It actually didn't change a thing. I think it's just trying to keep me awake on my drive home in the mornings. lol
 

dvdswan

Well-Known Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Feb 11, 2021
Messages
2,862
Reaction score
3,028
Location
Seattle, WA
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
Ranger XLT 2WD
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
2WD
My credo
Keep your mind like an umbrella, it only works if its open... Continually learning.
So did this shake just start or have you had it while? Seeing the bushings, yes they are worn, could they cause the shake? Meh, anything is possible. Have you hit any curbs or potholes hard lately? You said it was in the steering wheel which points to the front suspension and not the drivetrain components.

Reason, you could be experiencing the death wobble. Yes, this is generally a solid axle issue. But, hitting a curb, pothole, or even playing "dukes of hazard" and jumping the truck can affect the caster angle and create a death wobble with worn rear a-arm bushings.
 

Innocent Fool

Member
Joined
Jun 18, 2018
Messages
21
Reaction score
4
Location
ND
Vehicle Year
2003
Make / Model
Ford
Transmission
Manual
Is this a 4WD?

If yes then remove the rear drive shaft and take it for a run in 4wd.
Did the shake disappear?

If it's still there then install the rear shaft and remove the front one.
If the shake is still there then save your cash, it's not a driveshaft.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Today's birthdays

TRS Events

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Rick W
October Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

25th Anniversary Merch

Follow TRS On Instagram

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top