High speed vibration with 5100 and daystar spacer

[Rjameseast]

I searched this site but did not find much about this vibration. I have an 05 sport with the v8 and 106000 miles. I installed Bilstien 5100's on front and rear with 1.75 setting up front. Added a daystar 1.5 inch spacer in back. Still running stock tires and wheels and had the front allignment done after the lift. Since the lift, I have had a high speed driveline vibration that starts at 65 mph. Does anyone know what may be causing this or what to look for? I had no vibration before the lift and this mod was started because I had an XREAS shock go bad. I plan on putting bigger tires on the stock rims but do not want to make the vibration worse. Any suggestions would be helpful.

 

[Cisco Kid]

Mine is doing the same thing after lifting it and getting an alignment. The vibration is noticeable at slower speeds but gets worse around 65mph.

 

[preacher35]

I searched this site but did not find much about this vibration. I have an 05 sport with the v8 and 106000 miles. I installed Bilstien 5100's on front and rear with 1.75 setting up front. Added a daystar 1.5 inch spacer in back. Still running stock tires and wheels and had the front allignment done after the lift. Since the lift, I have had a high speed driveline vibration that starts at 65 mph. Does anyone know what may be causing this or what to look for? I had no vibration before the lift and this mod was started because I had an XREAS shock go bad. I plan on putting bigger tires on the stock rims but do not want to make the vibration worse. Any suggestions would be helpful.

When you say "driveline vibration" problem, you mean to say that the the vibration is coming from the rear of the vehicle? I am assuming this as you said nothing about steering wheel vibration. Please clarify so that I can comment further.

 

[Rjameseast]

I may be using the wrong term. The steering wheel starts to vibrate at about 65mph. I can also feel the vibration on the floor.

 

[Rjameseast]

I looked up information about a front differential drop but found that most said it was not needed unless the lift was 3inches. I only lifted about 1.25 inches from my measurements. Could it be possible that the allignment was not done correctly?

 

[Tug-a-lug]

subscribed, sorry i can't contribute to diagnosing your problem but i'm waiting for the day to put a lift on mine and would love to reference this if i have the same issue.

 

[preacher35]

I looked up information about a front differential drop but found that most said it was not needed unless the lift was 3inches. I only lifted about 1.25 inches from my measurements. Could it be possible that the alignment was not done correctly?

No, you do not need the differential drop for 1.25" of lift. OK, so you have a shimmy in the steering wheel at high speeds. It is possible that when you reinstalled the tire/wheels, that you put a rear one onto the front. When a tire is slightly out of balance, sitting on the rear of the vehicle, the "shimmy" is not real obvious. BUT, when that same wheel/tire gets moved to the front, you suddenly feel a vibration in the steering wheel at higher speeds. This would be my first guess on your problem. Here are a few other possibilities, other than the obvious out of balance tire possibility:
1) improperly torqued lug nuts
2) worn steering tie rods (remember that because you "lifted" the front end, the tie rods are at a steeper angle now)
3) faulty/worn upper or lower ball joints (again, your suspension is at a steeper angle now and bad ball joints only act worse in this situation)
4) ... and probably the least likely but still a possibility, you now have a seized brake piston in one of the front calipers

Anyway, good luck and keep updated on your issue and progress!

 

[Rjameseast]

Thanks for the info. I will try tire balancing and allignment first. Just curious, have you had any issues with toy tec ultimate lift? With ball joints, control arms, etc?

 

[preacher35]

Thanks for the info. I will try tire balancing and allignment first. Just curious, have you had any issues with toy tec ultimate lift? With ball joints, control arms, etc?

Well, as I was installing the lift, I noticed that a lot of my front OEM suspension parts were on their last legs; specifically, ball joints, sway bar links and bushings, but steering tie rods were still in good shape. I replaced ALL of them, save the tie rods. As far as the "Ultimate" lift itself, no, I have had no problems, however, I have only had it installed for about a month now. I love the height as well as the feeling of "invincibility" on the road. I do not like the raised center of gravity as you definitely feel more "top heavy". I will not get to truly test it's off-road capability until October, when I go to Big Bend National Park and get some good desert time.

 

[gm350reratliff]

What is your caster set at? I'm wondering if you are experiencing wheel shimmy from low caster.

Could also be something loose and/or worn out that is rearing it's ugly head now that you have lifted it.

 

[Rjameseast]

Problem fixed. The right front tire was not balanced. Thanks for the info on the lift.