noise/vibration in front end of '93 Ford F-150 please help!

Nate Nagel · 2011-10-01T13:09:30+00:00

I'm running out of ideas here... I have a '93 F-150, extended cab, 2WD, 300/E4OD that I bought used with about 120K miles on it. It currently has about 140K. When I bought it I knew that it had a few issues that needed to be addressed, most notably tires out of balance and bad shocks, but overall it seemed to be in good shape. To date, I have replaced the shocks (myself,) had new tires installed (Michelin LTX AT/2 - I know they're a little aggressive for a 2WD truck, but they were on sale when I bought them, and I drive the truck so seldom I figured that a little NVH was not going to be objectionable, and I wanted to make sure I could get around in winter) and also had a full brake job done on the truck (a note from my last safety inspection said that the rear shoes were almost at the wear limit, so I replaced everything, because it pulled a little and the front rotors were warped) including all hardware and hoses, and had the front wheel bearings replaced (that needed to be done at purchase as well.) Probably not related, but I also have replaced or had replaced all fluids in the truck as PM save for the power steering (and if I don't set this thing on fire in disgust, I will probably do it again at 150K miles.) Even after the brake job, I still have some NVH from the front end. There's a loud clicking/clacking noise coming from somewhere that is wheel speed related; it sounds like a much louder version of a stone being caught in a tire tread, or a stone loose inside a hubcap. It becomes much louder when you go around a corner, and you can feel a vibration as well - not through the wheel, but in the seat and through the floor. After the brake job, I took the truck back to the shop that did the work and they diagnosed the problem as a bad U-joint. I told them to go ahead and replace all three, as I had noticed that there was some backlash in the driveshaft but hadn't addressed it yet. If anything the vibration was worse after...

Oct 01, 2011 25 Replies

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N8N 14 years ago

Um, I have this thing called a JOB. Also have just sold a house and am in the middle of about 10 projects. I prefer to save my gearheadedness for projects that I can't pay a regular mechanic for as opposed to ones that ought to be simple.

Blow me.

Don't get your point. It was my daily driver for years, so most of my experiences with everyday type cars since I sold my last GTI will be out of necessity either related to the 944 or the F-150.

Oh, did I mention blow me.

nate

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jim beam 14 years ago

jeepers dude, buy a tent canopy thing at woolmort, and some used wooden pallets. that will keep the rain off from above and below. unless you prefer working in snow. it's about getting the job done right. clearly having the money and the time to keep taking the thing to people who can't fix it ain't solving a thing.

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75yrs.experience 14 years ago

NOW, THIS POSTING IS GETTING INTERESTING...

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jim beam 14 years ago

syntax tip - use the sarcasm tags thus:

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gpsman 14 years ago

Yeah, this is what you purport to be your "work" email, isn't it? Somehow you've managed to find time for +18,000 posts:

formatting link

And, in just one of your many other addys you've managed almost

13,000:

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Yeah, you're absolutely swamped.

That is a fascinating sequence of words! -----

- gpsman

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gpsman 14 years ago

False dichotomy- you "boned" yourself. Again. -----

- gpsman

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