The Shakes!

[1991Explorer]

I was wondering if anyone has found a solution to the shakes. My Explorer is shaking like crazy between 65 and 75 mph. The only time it shakes is at that speed. I've heard everything from Radius Arms to people saying stuff like fly wheel or a bad balance. I was wondering if anyone had the same problem and what was the solution.

 

[Muskrat]

threw a wheel wieght

 

[JDraper]

If you haven't had the wheels balanced lately, that's probably the most likely problem. Either tossed a weight like the Rat said, or just uneven tire wear can do it.

 

[1991Explorer]

The wheels were balance pretty recently. The previous owner acknowledge the program as well, and did a lot of things to try to fix it with no luck.

 

[JDraper]

Bent rim?? Try swapping wheels around to see if you can move where the shake is occuring. If moving the wheels doesn't change it at all, then at least you can rule them out.

 

[1991Explorer]

I've done the wheel switch, and no difference the shakes still comes from the front. I am going to throw my buddies wheels on there and see if it fixes anything. I know their Explorer isn't shaking.

 

[JDraper]

I'd start looking at ball joints, tie rod ends, RA bushings, shocks, etc. BTW, how'z your alignment?

 

[Swee294349]

how about a U-Joint? I had this problem.

 

[1991Explorer]

Alignment is good, but I am definitely going to try looking at the bushings, ball joints and tie rods. Swee294349 was the problem all U-joint related?

 

[TimestandStil77]

check to make sure your sway bar linkage is connected properly , i did a 3 hour trip with it disconnected because when ford did my timing chain they had to take it off for something and they never put it back on . . .it was scary as hell!

 

[1991Explorer]

Looks like the safe bet is for me to take a Saturday and just check the entire front suspension and make sure it's ok. I know the shocks are good (or I hope they are cause they only have 10,000 miles on them).

 

[reichhartkg]

Originally posted by 1991Explorer
I was wondering if anyone has found a solution to the shakes.

They usually go away on their own a few days after you stop drinking.

 

[Swee294349]

it was the problem with mine...it occured between 55-65 mph. that's something you might want to check out.

 

[Tom M.]

I tried all the above on my 92 and nothing fixed the 65-75 shakes. This is a common problem on 91-94 explorers. I got so tired of it, I finally traded mine in for a 98 4x4. There is a place on here that discussed it, there was fix which Ford did that added a fifth shock over the rear axle to lateral shift or dampen it or something like that. My 98 has this shock over the rear axle too. Sorry not to be too much help but I poured over 2k fixing suspension bushings, new wheels, tires, shocks, u joints etc & it never fixed the problem.

 

[Jet Ski Puller]

I had the same problem on my 94. Although, didn't happen until I put the lift on. Replaced U-joints, driveshaft balanced, checked angle of differential, had new tires balanced 3 times and moved them all around the truck, checked all suspension bushings, checked runout on axle shafts, etc. Nothing. It's the worst at about 70. I'm getting ready to try the 5th shock on the differential. People before have talked about it being a "cowl shake", but mine sure feels like it's coming from the rear.

 

[jimbo74]

if you want a mercedes or bmw ride... DONT BUY A TRUCK!!!!

 

[X~FACTOR]

Re: Re: The Shakes!

Originally posted by reichhartkg
They usually go away on their own a few days after you stop drinking.

 

[SPORTCRAZIE]

I had the shakes real bad at those speeds too, I had my buddy check everything out I mean everything, And we couldn't find anything wrong it was really weird.
I was really confused where could it be comming from? Well you wanna here something funny...It was my Manik push bar, At tho0se speeds it would shake pretty bad and in turn shake the front end wierd huh? I tighten all the bolts back down with an air wrench but still didn't help. So off with the bar, Now no shakes and I'm happy.

 

[Jet Ski Puller]

jim,

Unless you've experienced what we're talking about, you have no idea. This is not about ride quality. I'm very well aware of the fact that I'm driving a truck. My truck rides very harsh. I accept that. We're talking about something unusual, not normal . . . almost shake you out of the seat, vibration.

No offense, I'm sure you're just trying to be funny, but please post info that is helpful.

Besides, a BMW with low profile tires and a stiff suspension would ride pretty much about the same as my truck.

Sportcrazie,

Thanks for the info. I've got a Westin bar on the front of mine, but I'll pull it and check that.

 

[Jason_25]

Originally posted by jimabena74
if you want a mercedes or bmw ride... DONT BUY A TRUCK!!!!

Are you saying that an explorer riding on street radials with "the shakes" is acceptable because it's a truck?