Vibration@ 59-60mph on 2008 Ranger

[Bugs]

I also have a vibration @ 59-60mph. Took it in 3 times and they check everything over and rotated and force balanced the tires twice. Still no luck. I bought this truck from private owner with 2800 miles on it. Still has factory warranty. They (Dealer) can't seem to pinpoint the problem. It's still consider new. Or is this the normal for Ranger trucks. Any help is appreciated.

 

[dangerranger2008]

Have them balance drive shaft and see if that's it. Is it all over or front or back.

 

[Bugs]

It's seems to just be in the front. They called yesterday the dealer that is and stated this is normal for the ford ranger. He stated he test drove 2 new ones and 2 older versions of shop techs who work there and had the same vibration. They don't seem willing to do anything else accept to balance tires and state everything else is tight and looks fine. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Downey]

you have to remember your driving a truck not a nice car.

 

[Bugs]

Yeah I know it's not a luxury liner that's why we like them. It just seems like this would be simple fix.

 

[4x4junkie]

I suspect they're trying to cop-out of fixing it, either because they aren't competent enough to find the problem, or just don't want to deal with it if they can get you to "go away" (Rangers are certainly trucks, but it's definitely not normal for it to be vibrating noticeably).

Describe the vibration: Is it more of a "shaking" vibration? Or is it more like a "hum" or "buzzing" type vibration? Does the steering wheel also shake at all?

 

[TrexMex]

does it go away immediately after leaving that speed range? Any special "events" lately with your truck? (i.e. lifting it, bigger tires, new wheels, brake job, hitting a bump or something)

 

[jranger86]

a tire vibration is not so noticeable at that high of a speed usually, mostly detected at 45 mph tops. i would try torquing the wheels to proper specs, make sure tire pressure is equal all around and check your drive shaft/u joints for excessive play. and ps STEALERships are lazy.

 

[Bugs]

It's a shaking feeling. A little in the steering wheel not much mostly coming from front end passenger side. The tires are not stock tires they were replaced by the previous owner and are bigger. They also don't have the sensor for the tire pressure hooked up.

 

[Bugs]

does it go away immediately after leaving that speed range? Any special "events" lately with your truck? (i.e. lifting it, bigger tires, new wheels, brake job, hitting a bump or something)

It does go away immediately. The tires are not stock tires they were replaced by the previous owner and are bigger. They also don't have the sensor for the tire pressure hooked up.

 

[Bogdon]

My 2008 have both a shake in the steering at about 30-40mph and a rattle type vibration that you could feel everywhere right from brand new.

The steering shake was mostly cured by running the tires a little too full at about 38psi. I also notice that when there is a buildup of dirt/dust on the inboard side of the wheels it really exagerated this shaking, make sure you keep your wheels clean.

The vibration felt everywhere was immediatly corrected when I stopped taking the truck to the dealer for oil changes. They were putting a low grade dinosaur type oil in the truck and it did not like it at all. I am running full synthetic now and the truck is 100% better, no vibrations, MUCH quieter, and better mileage. Note: I am running a 2.3l with 2wd.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It does go away immediately. The tires are not stock tires they were replaced by the previous owner and are bigger. They also don't have the sensor for the tire pressure hooked up.

Is it not hooked up or broken? My brother has found vehicles where the previous shop didn't know what they were doing and ripped the sensors off when they mounted the tires and didn't notice it, and send them down the road with the sensors bouncing around in the tires.

Passenger side is also more likey to hit a giant wheel bearing killing pothole than the driver side as well (they seem to usually be closer to the curb), something else to keep in mind.

A shake of any kind is not normal in that new of a truck, I can run my F-150 at about any speed I want to all day long and without a hint of a shimmy at all.

 

[4x4junkie]

I would be very suspect of the tires, whether it's the actual tires themselves, or an out-of-balance condition.
Many times a shop won't do a proper dynamic balance on a set of tires (only doing a static balance). This will lead to some similar issues as well (proper dynamic balance means putting weights on BOTH the inside and outside of the rims).

I would try having another shop check your tire balance, and check that sensor as well.
If it were a "hum" vibration I would say u-joints, but it doesn't sound like that's the case here.

 

[Bugs]

The previous owner did state that when he took it in the shop right after he purchased it they didn't know that the tires had sensors in them until the tire pressure light wouldn't go out and they diagnosed it from there that they were stupidddd. But the new tires were already on by then. I did try 2 shops for the balancing and the 2nd shop refunded my money for it. They are looking for donor tires to put on my truck to see if it is truly the tires (They are going to find the right size tire of stock tires). Thanks for you input.

 

[GTO 06]

I had replaced my factory tires with some cheap 235/75/15's and I had the same vibration. They always balanced out fine but still had the vibration, so I finally replaced them with some General Altimax R/T's of the same size and the vibration is gone.