Vibration Help - Ford Explorer Ranger Enthusiasts "Serious Explorations"®

SpikeMan · 07-16-1999, 11:48 PM

Please help!!! Vibration at 62 mph and on.

I have had my 91 XLT 4 door Explorer for about 3 years now. I love the thing, despite its many flaws. I already stuck a new engine in (160,000 miles) and it runs like a charm. Here is my setup: 4” Skyjacker Suspension System with the new springs and coils, 33x12.5 B.F. Goodrich All Terrains. Here is my problem. It vibrates terribly between 62 and on up mph. I have gone to every ford dealership within a 100-mile radius and they can’t find the problem. I’ve done a lot of researcher on the use groups such as this one and have already installed or modified my truck as per advice. I have a totally new front end due to an accident, but it shook before the accident. The shaking happens in a side to side motion such as the wheels are unbalanced. I can’t count how many time I’ve had my rims checked for being bent and the number of balancing’s and front end alignments I’ve had. Everything up front in the wheel bearing has been replaced. All u-joints replaced. Tried all different types of radius arm bushings. Nothing! Right now I have the aftermarket Ford adjustable bushings in with two big washers to compress them as per advice from some folks. NO CURE! It’s been on the frame alignment at the dealer and everything checks out. I have been fighting this for almost 2 years now. Sometimes for a moment the vibration will go away which still leads me to the bearings or wheels but nothing. Could the engine mounts or transmission mounts be causing this problem. SOMEBODY…. PLEASE HELP……!!!!!!!!!!!

J.P. · 07-17-1999, 06:29 AM

old or tired shock absorbers might react this way at thees speeds with big tires. If you have GOOD quality shocks that you know are working to there full potential and all that other stuff has ben done I feal for you man that has got to be frustrating.

SpikeMan · 07-17-1999, 07:34 AM

The shocks that are on it are the Hydra shocks that come with the Skyjacker system. I originally had Rancho 5000's when I had a body lift, but it still vibrated. HeeHeee. It's frustrating alright!

SpikeMan · 07-18-1999, 10:59 PM

I have found the problem! After 2 years I have found the vibration that not even the ford experts could find! My right side radius arm has a crack in it! I had never looked really close and examined the flange where the radius arm comes through. It it a stress crack. I obviously was in an accident before I had ever bought it. Another sign that I didn't pick up on was there is an aftermarket sticker faded on the front bumper. I tracked down the previous owner- and sure enough he had someone hit him on the right front corner. He said it never drove the same so he got rid of it. Now that I have replaced EVERYTHING under the front end -no more vibration! Thanks for the advise everyone!

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07-16-1999, 11:48 PM	#1
SpikeMan Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Jul 1999 Posts: 40 Vehicle Specs	Please help!!! Vibration at 62 mph and on. I have had my 91 XLT 4 door Explorer for about 3 years now. I love the thing, despite its many flaws. I already stuck a new engine in (160,000 miles) and it runs like a charm. Here is my setup: 4” Skyjacker Suspension System with the new springs and coils, 33x12.5 B.F. Goodrich All Terrains. Here is my problem. It vibrates terribly between 62 and on up mph. I have gone to every ford dealership within a 100-mile radius and they can’t find the problem. I’ve done a lot of researcher on the use groups such as this one and have already installed or modified my truck as per advice. I have a totally new front end due to an accident, but it shook before the accident. The shaking happens in a side to side motion such as the wheels are unbalanced. I can’t count how many time I’ve had my rims checked for being bent and the number of balancing’s and front end alignments I’ve had. Everything up front in the wheel bearing has been replaced. All u-joints replaced. Tried all different types of radius arm bushings. Nothing! Right now I have the aftermarket Ford adjustable bushings in with two big washers to compress them as per advice from some folks. NO CURE! It’s been on the frame alignment at the dealer and everything checks out. I have been fighting this for almost 2 years now. Sometimes for a moment the vibration will go away which still leads me to the bearings or wheels but nothing. Could the engine mounts or transmission mounts be causing this problem. SOMEBODY…. PLEASE HELP……!!!!!!!!!!!

07-17-1999, 06:29 AM	#2
J.P. Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Jul 1999 Posts: 5 Vehicle Specs	old or tired shock absorbers might react this way at thees speeds with big tires. If you have GOOD quality shocks that you know are working to there full potential and all that other stuff has ben done I feal for you man that has got to be frustrating.

07-17-1999, 07:34 AM	#3
SpikeMan Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Jul 1999 Posts: 40 Vehicle Specs	The shocks that are on it are the Hydra shocks that come with the Skyjacker system. I originally had Rancho 5000's when I had a body lift, but it still vibrated. HeeHeee. It's frustrating alright!

07-18-1999, 10:59 PM	#4
SpikeMan Wannabe Elite Explorer Join Date: Jul 1999 Posts: 40 Vehicle Specs	I have found the problem! After 2 years I have found the vibration that not even the ford experts could find! My right side radius arm has a crack in it! I had never looked really close and examined the flange where the radius arm comes through. It it a stress crack. I obviously was in an accident before I had ever bought it. Another sign that I didn't pick up on was there is an aftermarket sticker faded on the front bumper. I tracked down the previous owner- and sure enough he had someone hit him on the right front corner. He said it never drove the same so he got rid of it. Now that I have replaced EVERYTHING under the front end -no more vibration! Thanks for the advise everyone!