2000 Explorer horrible steering wheel shake

[y2kxploder]

Hi all,
I'm new to these forums, hoping someone can lend some advice. I apologize in advance for the long winded story.
I just recently bought a 2000 Explorer, 4.0 OHV, 4x4 with about 150,000 miles.
I've had the vehicle for about a month, and ever since I bought it, it's had a grinding sound (sounded like wheel bearing) coming from the front right side. I replaced both right and left bearing/hub assemblies, and took it out for a drive. The initial sound the I thought was bearing noise is still there, and at about 65mph I started to get a little bit of steering wheel shake. I took my foot off the gas and it stopped. I accelerated up to about 70mph and it seemed ok. I hit a VERY small bump in the road and the steering wheel started shaking like hell. So bad that I almost lost control. I slammed the brakes and the shake stopped instantly. I took it home and put it up in the air, half expecting to see something loose or broken, and everything looks perfect. I re-torqued everything that I had taken apart for the initial hub/bearing replacement, and took it out again. Same issues.
I never had ANY of these problems before I replaced the hub/bearing assemblies, so I'm completely confused.
I was thinking CV joints, but I have no clicking at all when turning, in forward or reverse, everything is smooth.
Outer tie rods were done about 6 weeks ago.
Any ideas?

Thanks.

 

[smallblock1985]

As far as the grinding noise you hear I'm not to sure but I had a similar issue with steering wheel shaking, on my girlfirends 1999 F-150. When we were on the highway the steering wheel would start shaking so bad I thought we would wreck. I was convinced that something was broken but she took it and had the tires re balanced and the shaking went away. I told her that something had to be broken and getting the tires rotated was a waste of time but she did anyways, sucks to admit it but she was right. Hope this helps.

 

[kp02-150]

Have you checked the idler arm, or other steering components for excessive play? My f150 drove fine until I hit a bump unloaded and then it went crazy. Stomping on the brakes made it stop (until the next bump). Threw an idler arm on it and the issue is gone.

 

[yavapaires]

Have you checked the idler arm, or other steering components for excessive play? My f150 drove fine until I hit a bump unloaded and then it went crazy. Stomping on the brakes made it stop (until the next bump). Threw an idler arm on it and the issue is gone.

There is no idler arm with rack and pinion steering

 

[kp02-150]

I guess that's why I never had to replace one on my 97. Sorry, symptoms just sounded liked mine.

 

[RomeovilleIL]

The driving experience sounds a lot like air in the power steering system from turning the wheels with the truck off while you replaced the bearings. Bleeding costs nothing but your time - involves turning the wheel lock-to-lock a few times. Do a search.

As for the noise you are still hearing you will have to do a bit more digging. Front drive shafts, ujoints or cv's, the differential could all make similar noise.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Did you turn the wheels side to side by hand when the truck was off to get some working clearance when you put the hubs on? If so, the system is now full of air.