Re: Looking for Vehicle Advice

[ABLE1 <someone@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On 1/18/2015 7:02 AM, JoeRaisin wrote:
> My work van does something odd.
>
> 80% of the time, the van rolls straight and smooth but every now and
> then it feels like the front tires are wobbling.  This is to varying
> degrees - sometimes it feels like a little shimmy and sometimes it feels
> like they are about to fall off.  This happens randomly on all manner of
> road conditions but seems to be limited to higher speeds (40+) and more
> often than not during acceleration.
>
> The shop did an alignment and the tires have been balanced.  They have
> looked at the front end and said there is nothing wrong - last time I
> was told it was the tires picking up snow and ice but it happens in all
> four seasons.
>
> It happens on straightaways and on curves of either direction.  Slowing
> down will stop it but it will also stop of its own accord after a few
> seconds.  I don't think it has ever lasted more than 15-20 seconds - the
> shimmy version if it, at any rate.  The more pronounce version ends
> quickly because I will take my foot off the gas and reducing speed will
> usually end it.
>
> Any ideas?

Joe,

I have bunch of opinions but the question is are they valid or
not......... :-)

Has anyone looked at the ball joints in the front??  The one test would
be grab the top of the tire and strongly shake it.  If it wobbles or you
get a clunking sound then there is a ball joint of bushing problem.

The other possibility would be the steering tie rod ends.  That test
would be similar as above but when the van is on a lift and the wheel is
hanging. This would be a side to side shake.

Then there is the front shocks.  Put your weight on the front bumper and
release.  There should not be any bounce action at all.  Just a solid
return to home position.

It is possible that there is some sort of harmonics at certain speeds
that greatly amplifies the effect of a very small problem with a joint,
bushing or shock.

My general rule with things like you describe is to change something
even if it appears good.  My thinking is that if the symptoms give an
indication of where the problem is, replacing with new will either fix
the problem OR tell you that it was NOT the problem.

If I were to guess on which of the above could be the problem, I would
replace the shocks with a good quality heavy duty model.  Not knowing
the number of miles (guessing a bunch) the new shocks will make a huge
difference in how the van rides and handles.  Which will be a bonus
regardless if it fixes the problem or not.

Strong suggestion on doing all 4............... just because.

I had my E150 from almost new (1750 miles) and replaced the factory
shocks at about 25,000.  It use to lean when going around a corner.
After the new Heavy Duty shocks it was rock solid.  Now that I think
about it, that was about 100,000 miles ago.

Hope the above helps.  BTW my Dad was the top mechanic at a local Ford
dealership for 28 years before he retired.  I learned a lot about cars
when growing up.  Still have some grease under my finger nails from
those years.

Good luck and let me know how it goes.

Les