High Speed Front End Vibration.... Daily Driver

[Merninater]

Is there something that would cause slight high speed vibration in the front end/steering wheel? I am talking like 70+ mph. I daily my 02' 4wd sr5 to and from work on the highway around 75 mph and it drives perfect up to about 65 mph. From there on there is a slight vibration in the car which I think is in the front end. I have completed the following maintenance in the past several hundred miles (not all related to this problem)

- new steering rack bushings
- new tires (cooper discovery lsx plus)
- new front shocks (5100s)
- tire balance (haweeka and alignment)

Possible causes???
After doing some of this work I could see that my sway bar end link bushings are totally shot (200k miles) and but I did not think that would have anything to do with it. Rotors are slightly warped but that only accounts for braking pulsation/vibration. My tires are slightly different ages.. differences of only a matter of months. And finally, I had my balljoints and rods inspected after doing it first myself and they are fine.

 

[Madderthanahatter]

U joint

My 02 had this same problem a few months back except the vibration was pretty severe but in the same area and it was because the front u joint of my drive shaft had loosened and was out of line it was a fairly cheap repair and the problem has not returned

 

[Merninater]

My 02 had this same problem a few months back except the vibration was pretty severe but in the same area and it was because the front u joint of my drive shaft had loosened and was out of line it was a fairly cheap repair and the problem has not returned

My front driveshaft definitely needs greased or there is some issue because the vibration is much worse in 4wd. How do I inspect the front u joint and what was your "cheap repair?" I have a feeling it is related to that because its worse in 4wd.

 

[Merninater]

Check to make sure your front sway bar bushings aren't starting to split.

Steering slip joint loosening can contribute to front end highway vibration. It did for me.

Out of balance or worn front driveshaft shouldn't in ADD theory be able to contribute to vibration in RWD. I'm still not sure if the front driveshaft is 100.00% still and stationary in RWD on the highway. This may also vary between multi-mode and J-shift transfer case. Anyone have a GoPro?

The endlink bushings are totally shot. Splitting and all. the sway bar bushings under the car are probably decently rotted but I am not sure about those.

 

[gamefreakgc]

Is there something that would cause slight high speed vibration in the front end/steering wheel? I am talking like 70+ mph. I daily my 02' 4wd sr5 to and from work on the highway around 75 mph and it drives perfect up to about 65 mph. From there on there is a slight vibration in the car which I think is in the front end. I have completed the following maintenance in the past several hundred miles (not all related to this problem)

- new steering rack bushings
- new tires (cooper discovery lsx plus)
- new front shocks (5100s)
- tire balance (haweeka and alignment)

Possible causes???
After doing some of this work I could see that my sway bar end link bushings are totally shot (200k miles) and but I did not think that would have anything to do with it. Rotors are slightly warped but that only accounts for braking pulsation/vibration. My tires are slightly different ages.. differences of only a matter of months. And finally, I had my balljoints and rods inspected after doing it first myself and they are fine.

I have this exact problem. I thought it was my tires vibrating since they were garbage, but now the tire wobble is gone but the front end vibration is still there. I can feel it with my foot on the floor, though not through the steering wheel. Can also hear it, sounds like a slow, pulsing noise. Only happens from 60 to 70 MPH just like you.

I've greased both driveshafts in the past but maybe I should do it again just to rule that out. Been about 1 1/2 years now.

If that's not it I'm going to pull the driveshaft and take it to a shop for balancing/inspection.

 

[Merninater]

Update

So to try and fix this problem I started by making the local tire shop do a haweka balance. Then I replaced the rotors and pads which needed done anyways. I also replaced my sway bar end link which were shot. And I greased the driveshaft in all 8 spots.

My braking is silky smooth but I still get the vibration in the entire car and in the steering wheel at 70+ mph.

Any idea what it could be? This is becoming very annoying and I am about ready to give up and take it to the dealership and pay their diagnostic fee to see what they think it is.

 

[cutlass]

I'm having the same problem too. Between 65 and 75 mph there's a strong vibration. It doesn't make a sound whatsoever. I would love to hear what the solution is on this problem!!

 

[nissanh]

What year is your truck?

I'm having the same problem too. Between 65 and 75 mph there's a strong vibration. It doesn't make a sound whatsoever. I would love to hear what the solution is on this problem!!

Vibration can come from rotating things. The 4 wheels and the drive shaft. Hope your wheels are balanced. The U-joints can go bad, The one that wears out faster is the rearmost U-joint in the rear drive shaft.
You can replace the U-joint on a drive shaft. OEM is the way to go. I went with NAPA and then I had a minor vibration at 65ish MPH. I then went with a good used driveshaft. No more vibrations after that.

Inspect the U-joints by holding one side of the drive shaft with one hand and the other side by the other hand. You have to turn the two in opposite directions. If you feel a free-play then the U joint is bad.

 

[1985taylor1925]

Something people never mention are the front diff carrier bearings. My cvs have a ton of play where they spline into the diff. I would think that could cause front end vibrations