Front Right side vibrations

[eXcali]

I have been having a bit of trouble with very low growling and vibration on the front right side and I'm looking for some input from others. I have eliminated any problems with the driveshaft, dshaft ujoint, transmission or engine.

I first thought it was a tire wear issue as they were cupped pretty bad. New tires and it was still there. I checked the hub bearings and they were solid. I ordered a replacement just incase.

While I waited I figured I would change the dif fluid. It was in the shape I expected for a 170k vehicle, dark, thin and VERY bubbly, lvl was about 1 inch down from fill-hole. I read about Ford putting out advice to use 85w140instead of 75/90. So I filled it with 85w140 and added the limited slip treatment. After this there was still some vibration but it sounded a little better, then a quick 30mile drive @ 55mph it started back just as loud.

I replaced the hub bearing today and the noise was just the same. Old bearings were smooth as silk, same as new. I decided to try loosening the Torsion bars incase maybe it was TT to far before I bought it. I did 8 turns each side for about 2 inches drop on front end. The vibration quieted down and picked back up after about 2 miles of driving.

Some more symptoms: I first thought it was the RF hub because when I turn right the noise goes away completely, and when I turn left the noise gets louder and vibration stronger and stays even if I straighten out the wheel, turning right again seems to reset it to the usual noise/vibration.

I currently suspect it's the CV halfshaft due to the previous owner having it TT to high. When I loosened the TT bolts they were as smooth as butter and with Illinois driving they should have been darn near siezed. I would like some ideas from other people just because I don't want to buy another part and it not be the problem. Thanks!

 

[eXcali]

bump, I also put on jackstands and the front wheels spin smooth, no binding and when i turn one the other turns as well.

 

[eXcali]

bump

 

[eXcali]

After talking it over with my dad who owned his own shop, I have decided to pull the suspected cv halfshaft, drive around the corner and see if this is indeed the problem.

 

[techieman33]

After talking it over with my dad who owned his own shop, I have decided to pull the suspected cv halfshaft, drive around the corner and see if this is indeed the problem.

be careful and don't drive it long, the bearing could come out of the hub without the axle in place.

 

[eXcali]

be careful and don't drive it long, the bearing could come out of the hub without the axle in place.

Well I didnt even get that far before an issue came up. I noticed about 2-3 inches of play on the tripod side of the CV, when I pulled out the cv the entire axle pulled out with it. There was very little resistance on the axle and CV. I examined the axle and the bearings and clip. All looked good, no damage to the gear teeth and no metal shavings. I slid the axle back into place and seated it with a tap, jacked both wheels off the ground and it turned smooth as butter. I suspect the CV failed at the tripod end because 2-3 inches of give on it seems way to much.

 

[eXcali]

Well I replaced the CV halfshaft to no success. The new one had a lot less play in it, but the noise and vibration persist. My next venture is the steering tie rod......

 

[eXcali]

any thoughts?

 

[techieman33]

I doubt the tie rod would cause much vibration, is the vibration just when your turning?

 

[eXcali]

I doubt the tie rod would cause much vibration, is the vibration just when your turning?

Nope, it's all the time, it goes away completely when I turn the wheels right about 25% or more like if I change lanes quickly or take an off ramp that twists right. It reminds me of the sound of a flat tire on Hmmwv run-flats.

 

[techieman33]

I doubt it's the tie-rod then, does the vibration differ depending on what speed your going? Are you sure it's not coming from the drivers side?

 

[eXcali]

It picks up volume at about 20mph and the volume increases to 75. About 75 it drowns out the sound of the engine. I can feel the vibration in the drivers floor board, but it's stronger on the passenger side. One thing I did notice in a highway trip a couple months ago: After driving 80mph for about 30 minutes the sound dropped to a very slight hum.

I haven't yanked the hub from the drivers side, but I felt no tightness or rough spots when turning the hub by hand with no tire on either side.

 

[techieman33]

it's in the drivetrain somewhere, it's not a tie-rod end

 

[eXcali]

it's in the drivetrain somewhere, it's not a tie-rod end

I thought so as well, the tie rod end is the only thing I haven't changed or completely eliminated as a cause. That's why I was thinking of it as the next step.

I have eyeballed the alignment and everything looked fairly close to even. I even worried that the dif bearing was shot, but when the axle popped out I checked them with my fingers feeling for any burrs or flat spots.

 

[eXcali]

Oh, and another observation: When I drive on snow the noise goes away.

 

[eXcali]

Are you sure it's not coming from the drivers side?

So today I race the rain and setup some tarps over the drivers side wheel well so I can work and stay dry. I jacked up truck, checked the play on drivers side, no give at all.

i pull off the wheel and start tearing it apart. I get it all unbuttoned and pull on the hub, it doesn't move at all. I tried prying it off, still no-go. I got out the BFH and beat on the hub it finally started spinning on the knuckle, I finally had to break out the cold chisel and break the hub free from the knuckle.

When I turned the hub in my hand I felt the tell-tale grind. Replaced, buttoned it all up, test drove and the problem is fixed!

Thanks techieman for making me question my findings on the drivers side, it lead to me mulling it over in my mind in bed last night and deciding to pull it apart.

 

[techieman33]

So today I race the rain and setup some tarps over the drivers side wheel well so I can work and stay dry. I jacked up truck, checked the play on drivers side, no give at all.

i pull off the wheel and start tearing it apart. I get it all unbuttoned and pull on the hub, it doesn't move at all. I tried prying it off, still no-go. I got out the BFH and beat on the hub it finally started spinning on the knuckle, I finally had to break out the cold chisel and break the hub free from the knuckle.

When I turned the hub in my hand I felt the tell-tale grind. Replaced, buttoned it all up, test drove and the problem is fixed!

Thanks techieman for making me question my findings on the drivers side, it lead to me mulling it over in my mind in bed last night and deciding to pull it apart.

Noises like that can be funny sometimes, especially if your driving while listening to them, you never really can be sure what side they're coming from. That's why mechanics have microphones that they can attach all over the car when they test drive it, to bad they're so expensive. I'm glad you got it figured out.