Shimmy when accel. over 45 MPH

[wazzles]

Hi,

I have a 1997 Explorer XLT 4-wheel drive. The number of miles on it is 270,000. Whenever I get up above 45 to 50 MPH the steering wheel starts to rattle. Only when I have my foot on the gas does the wheel rattle. Sometimes the rattling is bad enough my cd player skips. Any ideas on what this could be?

Thanks,

Levon

 

[kevinspann]

What engine do you have? If its the 4.0L SOHC, maybe the chain to the balance shaft has broken? Not sure if that would do it, but just an idea to throw out there.

 

[wazzles]

It is the 4.0 SOHC.

 

[eXcali]

There are a couple of possible problems here. Since you have 270k miles just about every part on it is past it's life cycle. I'd start with your tires, if they are abnormally worn it could be they need balanced or even your shocks are shot. Shocks are rated for about 60-80k miles if they are stock they most certainly need replacing. If these are good I would look at the inner and outter tie rods. Also you could be looking at your 2nd replacement sets of hub bearings as these have a life of about 100k.

Thinking about it, I guess we need a little more info.

 

[my98nnj]

Check the drive shaft universal joints.

 

[wazzles]

There are a couple of possible problems here. Since you have 270k miles just about every part on it is past it's life cycle. I'd start with your tires, if they are abnormally worn it could be they need balanced or even your shocks are shot. Shocks are rated for about 60-80k miles if they are stock they most certainly need replacing. If these are good I would look at the inner and outter tie rods. Also you could be looking at your 2nd replacement sets of hub bearings as these have a life of about 100k.

Thinking about it, I guess we need a little more info.

The tires are in good condition. A year ago I was talking to a mechanic and indicated the shocks might need to be replaced. I haven't gotten new shocks while owning the car (the past 70k miles). Could this be an alignment thing? What are tie rods and hub bearings?

After further analysis it seems it is a heavy vibration from 30 MPH to about 50 - 55 but once I get up to 60 - 70 the vibration goes away.

 

[wazzles]

It was the u-joints that needed to be replaced. That fixed the problem. I got new shocks as well which has improved ride quality.

Levon

 

[jlsparky7]

Thanks for updating us. We appreciate it and so will anyone that searches for this problem.

 

[stllaborer]

i'm new here so be patient,,,i have a 2001 sport tarc 4.0 its in the shop now ,i took to find out why it shimmied a little bit after having my tires balanced & front end aligned ,,,,& why it had an awful rattle in the engine when i started it ,,,,,,turns out its the timing chain that needs replacement ,& theyre trying to tell me that it may be the rear timing chain that is causing the very slight wobble/shimmy while driving at around 55/60- 65 mph ,.,,,luckily when i purchased the vehicle used i did by an extended warranty from "aul" & all my timing chain problems will be fixed as far as rattle goes on start up ,,hopefully ,,,,but i was wondering is there anything in the rear timing chain that could cause my vibration or wobble or shimmy ,,,it has 118k on the truck & i do like the truck very much ...was just curious if anyone else has heard of or had the same problem