Vibration in Steering at 70mph

[jbwilson3791]

Hey Explorer Community, I have a 2004 ford explorer with 64,000 miles. it's 4wd. For the last year or so I've noticed a pretty good vibration in the steering wheel once you reach 70mph and above. I just had an alignment, I was hoping that would fixed it but it hasn't. Any Ideas? Thanks in advance

 

[Tyleryac]

Did you have the wheels balanced?

 

[jbwilson3791]

Did you have the wheels balanced?

About 6 months ago my brother got new tires, he wanted some aggressive tires and his old ones were still have 60% tread so I had his old ones put on my wheels and they were balanced then. I can't remember for sure but I think it vibrated before then too. I was told by Big O Tires that I needed new lower ball joints but mine look great, plus I did all the up/down side/side testing for wiggle and they seemed fine to me.

 

[Tyleryac]

The more aggressive tires could be the cause.

 

[Joe in NY]

The more aggressive tires could be the cause.

The aggressive tires are his brothers. He has his brothers old tires.

Jack up you front end and push and pull at the top, bottom, left, and right of each tire. Listen for clunking, clicking, and feel for any give.

 

[p38fln]

Have them balanced again, if they were operated out of balance before you got them then they can get out of round. The only thing you can do is keep balancing them when it starts to shake until you can get new tires

 

[jbwilson3791]

The aggressive tires are his brothers. He has his brothers old tires.

Jack up you front end and push and pull at the top, bottom, left, and right of each tire. Listen for clunking, clicking, and feel for any give.

Correct, I should have just got new ones but these were a free option I figured could last me a year or so until I felt more comfortable shelling out 800 dollars on new tires. What would you say the most likely culprit is in the front end, if it isn't the tires, for a car with 64,000 miles. Thanks!

 

[Joe in NY]

Well I can't tell you what is wrong from here.

I will say at 140,000 miles on my moms 07 Suburban, it had a horrible steering wheel shake over 70 mph. Firestone said we need a new tie rod. Turns out, the tire rod was loose!!! We have lifetime alignment at firestone and my dad and I both believe who did the alignment last did not adjust the tie rod correctly and unscrewed it from the rack & pinion for adjustment... (Tie rod came out with about a turn and a half...)

My explorer, with 63,000 miles garage kept in FL, drove great. Except, all 4 front ball joints had NO boots left! So they were bound to fail real soon. I pressed all 4 out and pressed the new ones in while I was doing everything else in my uncles shop. The uppers were the hardest but not that hard. I did them my self while leaving everything in place. Oh yeah, some say you have to remove or even replace the control arms... False. It was easy to leave the arms in and press out the old and press in the new.

 

[gvn]

Good Day.....I see there conversation about vibrations.... My 2016 has a vibration in the front dash when we hit 70mph..... Any thoughts.... Trying to see the dealer but their first appointment is a month from today...very frustrating