Vibration felt through entire vehicle

[Flyer2ace]

Hey guys,
My apologies, I just noticed a few more people responded to this thread and I never replied. Problem is not fixed yet, I have tried a few more of your suggestions. I got the truck up on jack stands and check out all 4 tires, driveshafts and what not, everything looked good. No wobble or shaking with any of the tires or driveshafts. I did get 4 new tires when this vibration first started showing itself and have had them rotated and balanced several times. I did pop truck into neutral going around 60mph and to be honest, I couldn't tell if it made a difference or not. Lol. I was thinking about just pulling the rear driveshaft and drive to work in 4x4 hi, is there a possibly of damaging something if I did that?

Also, lately I have noticed that the vibration is starting to get worse when doing certain things, for example going say 45 mph the vibration is the most obvious, but if I take a hard right vibration almost goes away. I know this typically leads to a wheel bearings issue, but both fronts have been replaced and I wouldn't think you'd feel a rear one in the steering wheel. Could a CV joint that is going bad cause that kind of symptom? I've also noticed that my truck sounds really loud in that 45mph to 55mph area, it almost sounds like I'm driving in 1st or 2nd gear, rpm's look completely normal when this happens. Any ideas? I am beyond ready for this be fixed. Thanks again for all of your suggestions!

 

[Flyer2ace]

Hey guys, just wanted to let you know that the vibration is fixed. It ended up being the front wheel bearings AGAIN!! When I originally checked them a few months ago they felt good, but after noticing the vibration going away when making a hard right, I decided to check them again today. Drivers side had a lot of play in it, passenger side felt okay but I changed it anyway. Took it for a test drive and it's silky smooth. One thing I've learned from this, is to not just throw parts at my truck, sometimes you just have to wait for the problem to get worse and rear it's ugly head, then it's easy to pinpoint. Thank you all very much for your suggestions, you guys are awesome!!

 

[AlanBadillionTrahern]

Hello everybody,
I am not really new to this forum ,as I signed up years ago, to see if I may find quick solutions to problems on my truck. Love it!
Flyer2ace, I have the same problem right now, which you are describing! I changed a lot of parts, which was no big deal since I learned car mechanic on Alfa in the 80's. The vibration started after fixing a crack in the exhaust manifold on the passenger side. I started with a new wheel bearing.
I replaced quite a few pars and shafts, but the problem wouldn't go away. So i decided to revisit the forum and I ran into your comment. I will try the bearing tomorrow and see if it is too tight or if I have a lower ball joint or tie rod problem (which seem fine and have no play). I will keep you guys posted. Thank you!
Oh by the way, I have a Ford Explorer V8 with almost 700 000 miles on it, everything original! Love it!

 

[AlanBadillionTrahern]

Hi again,
I have replaced the right tie rod and checked the wheel bearing, but the problem persists. It can't be the alignment. I'll keep you posted.

 

[AlanBadillionTrahern]

Hi again,
I solved the problem! It was the U-joint of the drive shaft. The part store sold me twice the wrong part. The drive shaft can't have any play at all! At the end, I took the yolk with me to the store to make sure I get the right part. And I did. What a mess! Learned something. Thank you.