front end vibration while driving

[gensic11]

ok i've tried asking about this a few times back but never really received much of a response.. seems like nobody knew what happened.. anyway i have a 1997 XLT and it seems like when i'm driving i get this vibration in the front end. it ONLY happens when i reach about 30mph.. and seems to go away when i reach a speed of about 55mph.. but when i'm in the middle of those two it is pretty bad.. just seems like something is causing my wheels to vibrate.. the funny thing is i can't feel it in the steering wheel. i dont have much vibration at all and my wheels dont look like they are moving side to side.. an alignment didn't fix it and i have fairly new ball joints (it did it before the ball joints were replaced). i just want a smooth ride again without that annoying vibration from the wheels.. does anyone else know of this sensation?? do you think its my tires? i have even tread and a decent amount left.. is it something else internal? someone has to know what this is and how to fix it.

any input would be greatly appreciated!

josh

 

[Green98XLT]

What kind of tires you running and how many miles on them?

My Goodyears (stockers) are causing one hell of a vibration on my 99, we thought it was a hub bearing or ball joint at first but found out it was the tires by rotating them.

 

[Bills98Explorer]

Have you had the balance checked??
You could also rotate your tires front to rear and see if that eliminates the broblem.That would also be a good time to check the front bearins out to.Check the tierods to.

 

[gensic11]

thanks for the replies.. i bought the truck at 50k miles and now have 75k miles on it.. i am not sure if they are the second set or the originals.. i mean i still have decent tread left and even wear. what's funny is when i rotated the tires it almost seemed worse.. i have a feeling its the tires although it's hard to believe.. but is there some kind of common thing that goes wrong with explorers that could cause this? or do you think the tires are the culprit?

 

[gensic11]

by the way i have the wrangler rs/t

 

[budwich]

the tires in combination with maybe weaken shocks.

 

[exploded99]

Alignments don't really help vibration problems. They are done to ensure even tire wear and good steering - no pulling left or right, etc.

Vibrations are usually caused by something out of balance, so start by having all four of your tires rebalanced - that is the most common cause.

Next is shocks. If yours have never been replaced, they are most definitely worn out. At least put a new set on the front. Even if a tire is balanced it can set up an up/down vibration when you hit a bump in the road - its called tramping. The purpose of the shock is to control that.

If balancing and shocks does not stop it, since you have new ball joints, I'd check for a tire problem by rotating one front tire to the back and see if that improves it. Then do the other side. But, if you have a tire problem, there is a good chance they will find it when they rebalance your tires - not likely that you will get to this point.

 

[drake437]

I can almost bet you it's your Goodyear Wranglers RT/S's. It is a VERY common problem for that tire..do a search in the tire forum and you will see what I mean.

Mine are doing the same thing and have good tread left, but am looking to replace because I can't stand it any more. Rotation also caused mine to get worse.

Looking at the Firestone Destination LE as replacement.

Good Luck.

 

[gensic11]

hey.. again thanks for the replies..

i had new shocks put on when the lower ball joints were replaced. i do need to have the tires balanced.. never have done that. i will have them balanced and see if that helps the problem.. but like drake said about the wrangler rt/s being a common problem.. that sucks because i dont really wanna fork out 500$ for new tires when i still have decent tread left.. you guys really helped.. i'll let you all know the results when i get all the work done.

thanks again for the help from all of you!

Josh

 

[tommyboy]

200 eb v6. bought a set of wrangler rs/t at 55k. get vibration only at 70mph. balanced twice, alignment and replaced sway bar links. still there. I believe it's the tires.

 

[gensic11]

just got the front passenger bearing replaced.. smooth as silk now