99 Ranger vibration PLEASE HELP!!

[mleega1]

OK, so here the deal. I have a 99 Ranger 2 wheel drive regular cab 3.0 auto 165,000 miles with a vibration felt only in the steering wheel above 70 MPH going uphill. It has had the following done prior to the problem and not because of it. New Ford upper and lower control arms outer tie rod ends rotors pads and wheel bearings tires balanced and front end alignment. Tires are about 60% good, this just started and drove fine prior.

The vibration can be pretty bad at times and is only when going uphill as I come to the top of the hill it starts to get less and down hill is smooth as silk. The hills are generally 4-8% grade. Under 70 there seems to be no vibration at all.

Thanks in advance for any help!!!

 

[Andy D]

Put the front end on stands and check out the front end. Who did the work? Discuss the trouble with them.

 

[the_gunslinger]

I would suggest taking it back to whoever did the work. The fact that it only does it uphill is curious.

 

[mleega1]

The brakes were done by me and i have rechecked the bearing preload, the front end was done by a Ford dealership shop. I have checked everything and had it looked at by a reputable mechanic today he also checked the alignment and wheel/ tire balance. I'm wondering if it could be a motor or transmission mount?

 

[the_gunslinger]

If it were a mount, you would feel it in other places as well as the steering wheel. Mostly in the body. And it would effect more rpm than speed.

Side note. Most tire balancers only balance up to 60mph. It could still be related to a tire issue.

 

[mleega1]

I guess I just need to stay off the Interstate highway, LOL!!! The truck drives beautifully otherwise.

 

[the_gunslinger]

Try rotating your tires front to back. Put the front tires in the back and the back tires in the front and see what happens.

 

[mleega1]

Rotating the tires did not change anything, I'm going to swap the tires from my 2006 Ranger onto the 99 and the 99 wheels onto the 2006 and see what happens.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

Well, this might be an absolutely stupid answer but, maybe the road sucks?

 

[mleega1]

OK, so I got some time to mess with it today and I noticed a popping coming from the drivers side upper control arm. If you hold it while someone bounces the truck there is a very noticeable Popping felt int the control arm, funny thing is this is a new Ford replacement part. I would assume the ball joint is the culprit?