Vibration at speed, unit bearing? - Diesel Forum

yanvaryjt · 01-19-2010, 08:59 PM

Recently the X started to have a vibration between 55 and 65 mph. The X has 94k miles. I checked and replaced the rear driveshaft u-joints due to a litttle play but it didn't fix the buzz. Balanced and rotated tires today but that didn't help either. Did notice while rotating tires that the front passenger side hub assembly didn't roll smoothly and made a squeaking sound (not for brakes) when the wheel was spun by hand. Wondering now if that unit bearing could be on its way out and causing the vibration. Otherwise, didn't seem to have any play at the hub. How many miles are the front unit bearings good for generally? Hate to continue to chase the problem by blindly replacing parts...especially a $200 bearing assembly!

Appreciate your collective wisdom.
Ty

**danielcward** · 01-20-2010, 07:49 AM

First thing I'd do is make sure it isn't the front needle bearing by locking into 4x4 and seeing if vibration goes away. I had vibration and had u-joints changed which improved things but still didn't fix the problem. For me it turns out I was missing a weight on the drive-shaft and the ujoints weren't installed as tightly as they should have been.

I think if it's a front end vibration you will really feel it in the wheel. I'd take it to a really good Ford mechanic as they are pretty good at diagnosing where the problem is located.

TXANGLER · 01-20-2010, 02:09 PM

bearings last 30K-??? miles. my first set lasted 35K before the right front grenaded. second set lasted 90K+. Needle bearings lasted 95K before the rt side went south. Come to find out the dealer did not install the ORING's so water penetrated.

If you have noise or grinding u have issues that need to be corrected. Imagine that noise/vibration at 60mph!!

**Beast** · 01-20-2010, 02:37 PM

You should really pull the unit bearing and check the needle bearing on the back side. You don't want to ruin your half shaft.

yanvaryjt · 01-20-2010, 03:54 PM

Well, I guess I have work to do this weekend. Thought I might be able to put a little time into one of my beaters but the wife's X has priority.

MotionMan · 01-20-2010, 07:00 PM

If you still have the factory hubs...that stick and suck...make sure one side is not locked, just roll the truck and watch the from shaft, if it turns when the t case is in 2 one side is stuck. Also the 4x try, lock it in and see, it could be a shot front u joint that is turning all the time.....because the stock hubs suck. That would explain the drag and the noise. I used to have to pop out the hub on the side of the road, push my finger in to unlock it and pop it back on...takes just seconds. Now I have warn, yea I have to get out but it is worth it to know its unlocked.....or locked. Plus now at 65-70 I can engage the t case and not have everything going from 0-70 in a bang. Also check ball joints, jack the front up and see if the tire rocks at all, mine vibrated when they started to go but that took 160,000. 216 now and no bearings replaced.

yanvaryjt · 01-20-2010, 07:24 PM

Yeah, I still have the factory hubs but I was contemplating sh!t canning them anyway because they don't lock in when 4wd is engaged with the hubs in the "Auto" position.

TXANGLER · 01-20-2010, 08:41 PM

IMHO I went with the Milemarker Stainless hubs for the $$ there is no comparison.

MotionMan · 01-20-2010, 09:19 PM

I had MMrs on a chevy, they were very good. I did not get the gold warns which were very expensive and I have had 0 problems. All you have to do is plug the air lines.

yanvaryjt · 01-24-2010, 08:01 PM

Well, I took the X front end apart Saturday - replaced the passenger side unit bearing that wasn't rolling smoothly. Also pulled the driver side just to check the inner needle bearing, it was good. Swapped brake pads while I had it all apart. Unfortunately, it still has a vibration at 55-65 mph.

So far I've replaced the rear DS u-joints, balanced and rotated tires, replaced 1 bad front unit bearing/hub assembly, and checked and regreased front inner needle bearings. I will pull the rear DS this week to check u-joint working angles and axle pinion angle.

BoilermakerSteve · 01-24-2010, 09:54 PM

I had a drive shaft vibration and u-joint combination causing vibrations at similar speeds. R&R'ed the u-joints and it got better, but didn't go away.

Had a driveline shop balance the drive shaft. It is pretty good now. just a slight vibration at certain speeds.

Steve

BoilermakerSteve · 01-24-2010, 09:57 PM

Forgot to mention.

When Ford diagnosed my drive shaft issue, they wanted me to put a new one on for $600. I am guessing the did not clock the DS and put it back in a different orientation. It was better after they pulled and reinstalled the DS.

After that I had the DS balanced for not a lot of money.

yanvaryjt · 01-25-2010, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoilermakerSteve

I had a drive shaft vibration and u-joint combination causing vibrations at similar speeds. R&R'ed the u-joints and it got better, but didn't go away.
Had a driveline shop balance the drive shaft. It is pretty good now. just a slight vibration at certain speeds.
Steve

I will look for a local DS shop to check balance.

tas306 · 03-31-2010, 03:48 PM

yanvaryjt -
Any luck? I am having the same issue at 68-72....

yanvaryjt · 04-03-2010, 06:56 AM

Been living with it for now. It's the wife's daily driver and she refuses to drive my rusty old Dodge if hers is down. Maybe I'll pull the driveshaft Monday to check u-joint angles.