Shimy/vibration

[Torch_Red_04]

Last year under warranty I complained to Ford about a shimy/vibration in the wheel at 60 mph when the car was cold. They said it was the tires (originals) and there was nothing they could do. Now that I am out of warranty I replaced all four tires. Now I have the vibration all the time at 50 - 60 mph. The tire place balanced the tires and then pulled and re-checked when I complained.

My next step is to see if I have an alignment issue that is setting up a vibration in the wheel. Any suggestions? 65 mph+ no vibration.

[vger]

Mine was the wheels a re-balance did the trick.

There was an issue with the drive shaft. I would do a search of the forums here some had this problem and explained how it was fixed or do a tsb search on the Ford web site.

[MW03Cobra]

Humm wheel bearing? Is your car a coupe or a convertible? After market subframes or not?

[Torch_Red_04]

The tire shop indicates the tires are balanced correctly. Also the vibration/shimy is throuigh the wheel only. Never through the pedal or seat. Stock throughout. If it was the d-shaft I would expect something throughout the car. Any alignment issue that may be causing this?

[vger]

Try some reading here.
I know it is a lot of reading but it just might help.

http://www.svtownersassociation.com/svtoaforums/showthread.php?t=210&highlight=vibration

http://www.svtownersassociation.com/svtoaforums/showthread.php?t=662&highlight=vibration

http://www.svtownersassociation.com/svtoaforums/showthread.php?t=8859&highlight=vibration

[MW03Cobra]

So the wheel has the vibration and you still question the alignment issue?


If the car is in line what makes you think it an alignment issue? Throw some money at an alignment and see if that helps....that would be a cheap easy fix.


From the Ford Manual

Driveline vibration—occurs at cruising speeds

U-joints are worn
Worn or damaged driveshaft center bearing support
Loose axle pinion flange bolts
Excessive axle pinion flange runout.
Binding or damaged splines on the driveshaft slip-yoke.
Driveshaft runout
Incorrect lateral and radial tire/wheel runout
Driveline angles out of specification.
Incorrectly seated CV joint in the front wheel hub.


Now for the wheels bearing info:

High speed shake or shimmy—occurs at high speeds
Excessive wheel hub runout.
Damaged or worn tires.
*Damaged or worn wheel bearings.*
Worn or damaged suspension or steering linkage components.
Brake disc or drum imbalance.

[chewbaccajones]

Well, I now have that same vibration but sometimes kicks in around 45 and the rear-view shakes pretty bad at 75. I took it in to ford and they 'road force balanced' the tires because they said it was a tire problem. One of the comments on the invoice is 'both rear tires are over on road force and not match mountable.' Service advisor said sometimes the belts shift from hitting nasty bumps in the road or speed bumps and throw the tires out of whack and they can't be truly balanced. Sounded like BS to me and maybe they did not want to look into it any further sice a shaft would be covered under warranty. Does this sound like BS or could 'shifted tire belts' be the culprit? The tires are pretty new (less than 5k miles) but the previous owner had them replaced in atlanta and I am in Phoenix so going to that tire shop is out.

[vger]

Quote: chewbaccajones: "Well, I now have that same vibration but sometimes kicks in around 45 and the rear-view shakes pretty bad at 75. I took it in to ford and they 'road force balanced' the tires because they said it was a tire problem. One of the comments on the invoice is 'both rear tires are over on road force and not match mountable.' Service advisor said sometimes the belts shift from hitting nasty bumps in the road or speed bumps and throw the tires out of whack and they can't be truly balanced. Sounded like BS to me and maybe they did not want to look into it any further sice a shaft would be covered under warranty. Does this sound like BS or could 'shifted tire belts' be the culprit? The tires are pretty new (less than 5k miles) but the previous owner had them replaced in Atlanta and I am in Phoenix so going to that tire shop is out".



What dealer in Phoenix did you go to?
There is a dealer in Scottsdale you should avoid.
When I was out there visiting my brother I needed a oil change so I went to the closest Ford dealer to his home.
They are a SVT dealer so I thought great they will know how to take care of my Cobra.
When it came back from the oil change it had oil running down the drivers side fender, so I made them wash the car. When I got back to my brothers I thought I should check the oil level, I waited about 15 min and pulled the dipstick out, the oil was so low it did not even touch the stick!! I checked it 3 times to be sure. I took it back and asked the service manager to take a look and tell me what was wrong. The owner even came out to see for himself and both could not believe what they saw. They drained the oil out to see how low it was, it was 2 qts low!! They changed the filter and filled it full this time. I told them I was leaving for Detroit in the morning and if I had left with the oil that low..... I was offered a I'm sorry and nothing else!!!!
The dealer is Lou Grubb on Frank Lloyd Wright just past the 101 in Scottsdale.

[COBRA_ESQ]

There is also a TSB on the Rack bushings. Although the TSB does not list vibration, replacing them has worked for some. Can be done in the driveway just support the rack with jack stands so the bolts can be replaced easily.

[chewbaccajones]

It was Earnhardt Ford in Tempe - the 'No Bull Dealership'. I will take it to a tire place for a second opinion. What a hassle.

[NeilBerry]

I have this with my 2001 Cobra. At 60mph a slight vibration. Over that speed (sometimes 120mph to 140mph on closed road open-highway events) there is no vibration. I have had everything checked right before the high-speed events, and nothing is loose. I have given up worrying about it. It is not flat spots. It is not loose suspension parts. The car handles great when not in the 58-62 mhp range.

QUOTE=Torch_Red_04]Last year under warranty I complained to Ford about a shimy/vibration in the wheel at 60 mph when the car was cold. They said it was the tires (originals) and there was nothing they could do. Now that I am out of warranty I replaced all four tires. Now I have the vibration all the time at 50 - 60 mph. The tire place balanced the tires and then pulled and re-checked when I complained.

My next step is to see if I have an alignment issue that is setting up a vibration in the wheel. Any suggestions? 65 mph+ no vibration.[/QUOTE]