Speed Wobbles

[Connyrap]

I have been having a very odd issue lately, I have recently noticed that my v8 4WD 2004 Explorer gets very scary speed wobbles.

When I am going 45+ MPH and accelerating for have my foot on the gas pedal, its seems to be perfectly fine, maybe a little bumpy, but not bad at all.
But as soon as I lift my foot off the gas pedal, I lose all control of steering, and the car just wobbles in the lane, I have no control of keeping it straight until I start accelerating again, but its a very, very, odd situation. I have been doing research everything, but have found no one to help me with my problem.. or in my case, I haven't even found anyone with my problem. (THERE IS NO SOUND WHEN IT HAPPENS)

Any and all opinions would be lovely

(suspension if coming up on 5000 miles, and I need to replace my ball joints, the rubber sleeves are open and dirt can get inside.)

The only thing I think it could be is the control arms and upper ball joints, I am gonna replace them to see if it works, but I have my doubts.

 

[yeet1331]

Looks like it may need done 5000 miles early.

 

[Mr. Alligator]

Suspension is coming up on 5000 miles? Not sure what that means.

I had a ball joint come apart on a 1977 Mercury Cougar. The front tire flopped and skidded and slammed freely around under the fender and the car was completely out control. Luckily, it was on a dirt road and only traveling about 30 mph... Whatever you have sounds sort of dangerous.

Be safe and good luck. (My guess, ball joints).

 

[TechGuru]

Odd thing is accel/decel should not really affect the front.

What does the wheel feel like when it's doing it?

To be on the safe side I would replace all 4 lower control arms (or just the bushings, whichever is easier/cheaper for your situation).

 

[Connyrap]

Suspension is coming up on 5000 miles? Not sure what that means.

I had a ball joint come apart on a 1977 Mercury Cougar. The front tire flopped and skidded and slammed freely around under the fender and the car was completely out control. Luckily, it was on a dirt road and only traveling about 30 mph... Whatever you have sounds sort of dangerous.

Be safe and good luck. (My guess, ball joints).

Odd thing is accel/decel should not really affect the front.

What does the wheel feel like when it's doing it?

To be on the safe side I would replace all 4 lower control arms (or just the bushings, whichever is easier/cheaper for your situation).

I have no control of the wheel when letting go of the gas pedal, the wheel moves with the direction the car is wobbling/swaying to.

The suspension coming up on 5000 miles means i changed the front and back suspension about 5000 miles ago, less than 6 months ago..

I started having this problem like about a month ago. maybe a little over a month

 

[Gary Crist]

Might check for water in a tire.

Sometimes a slug of water will form in an air system (gas station etc.).
You fill the tire some water gets in, everything is fine until an instability forms a "dam"
and boy does the fun start!

This is almost as much fun as high speed wobble on a bike.

 

[Davies0202]

I have no control of the wheel when letting go of the gas pedal, the wheel moves with the direction the car is wobbling/swaying to.

The suspension coming up on 5000 miles means i changed the front and back suspension about 5000 miles ago, less than 6 months ago..

I started having this problem like about a month ago. maybe a little over a month

Failing wheel bearings, axles, and U joints all can cause a vibration when off the accelerator.
Wheel bearings are easy to check, and the U joint you can check by laying your phone under and recording it going into reverse and drive and checking for play.