NEED HELP! front end vibration - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

toddtheodd · 09-07-2006, 07:45 AM

1972 c10 1/2 ton, 2wd longbed, with front swaybar from a 1-ton.
I've replaced the entire front suspension, balljoints, tie rods and ends, control arm shafts, and I've replace the bearings inner and outer, and shocks.
It's only the front left wheel.
When I take a hard right turn, at around 45 mph plus, I can feel a vibration. And when I get over 75 mph in a straight line, I can feel it again. I know it's not the front right, because left turns don't vibrate.
Also, when I hit a decent size bump (over 20mph) on the left side, the front wheel kinda makes a clunking noise.
What could it be?
Toad

jamon8 · 09-07-2006, 09:13 AM

body bushings

toddtheodd · 09-07-2006, 12:08 PM

body bushings? That can cause vibrations?

70rs/ss · 09-07-2006, 12:35 PM

something is loose. Go back over all the new parts and make sure everything is tight.

jamon8 · 09-07-2006, 01:06 PM

yes!

**Green Machine** · 09-07-2006, 01:34 PM

Lug nuts loose ???

toddtheodd · 09-07-2006, 01:53 PM

Nah, I've checked the lug nuts, and they're fine.

I'm not doubting you jamon8, because I don't know, but what do body bushings have to do with a 75mph+ vibration in the front left wheel? I'm just curious. I will check them out too.

70rs/ss, I sure am dreading going back through all of that. Those cotter pins are a mother. Especially when the truck has a major oil leak that covers everything in a protective coating in about a week.

Todd

70rs/ss · 09-07-2006, 02:02 PM

It's gotta be something loose (the clunk you hear when you hit a bump) I would start whith wheel bearings first (they can lossen up after seating, especially if installed a little loose to begin with) also the shocks could allow the tire to hop, and rebalance the tires cause wheel weights can get thrown off and cause a vibration. Good luck, did you do the a-arm bushings? If so check them, cause everything I mentioned could allow one wheel to clunk and wobble (vibration) sounds like you at least only need to look at one side. Not sure a body bushing would cause any of the symptoms mentioned, just my opinion (unless the clunk is the body clunking into the frame?!) ya never know!!

panhandler62 · 09-07-2006, 02:02 PM

A loose or bad ball joint or possibly a tie rod end might have that effect.

**tnblazerk5** · 09-07-2006, 02:09 PM

my 70 was doin the same thing and it was the shock stud was loose in the frame , so ya may want to check that out , it was tight when the truck was on the ground but on a lift the stud was loose

**John Fabris** · 09-07-2006, 03:49 PM

I would also check out your brake caliper, make sure it is tight.

sneakysnake · 09-07-2006, 03:50 PM

The best way I have found is to jack the truck up and take the weight off the suspension, grab the wheel in question and give it a good shake,up and down and back and forth. Have some else help to look for movement where there isnt supposed to be.

beautimus · 09-07-2006, 03:54 PM

not sure if this would cause your vibration but it could cause the clunk when you hit a bump.
on the front suspension crossmember, (the one that the engine mounts to.)
check the bolts that hold it to the frame. mine clunked like that when i would hit a bump, but i could not find a problem. when i started the front end rebuild, i found that all of the bolts were loose and that the whole crossmember had been shifting around. i have not completed everything yet, but i believe my clunk will be gone. good luck to you.
Tony

toddtheodd · 09-09-2006, 10:01 AM

the clunk started way back when, when I first put in my swaybar. Since then, I've replaced all that stuff to try and get rid of the clunk, and yet nothing has worked so far.
I've gone to a shop, and they can't find anything wrong with the front end, but there has to be something or else why am I clunking and vibrating. I think the reason they didn't find anything wrong for vibrations is because it takes a lot of force to make it vibrate, which is why I don't feel it at lower speeds.

70rs/ss · 09-09-2006, 02:55 PM

Disconnect your swaybar and see if it quiets down, then check that out if it makes the noise stop, sounds like the problem started with the swaybar, start looking there.

PanelDeland · 09-09-2006, 03:48 PM

I agree with 70, the best place to start looking is the last change before you started having a problem.

toddtheodd · 09-09-2006, 10:04 PM

The swaybar was the last change before the clunking. The entire front suspension was the last change before the vibration.

Can a warped rotor cause vibrations? It's been warped for a while now, but with the new components, maybe it's translating throughout the truck differently now... maybe?

Toad

*trkklr77* · 09-09-2006, 10:38 PM

when you put the new tierod ends on it is insainly critical to get them in exactly the same spec as the old ones. if not your tires are trying to get used to the new angle they hit the assphalt. you need to get it alighned[sp] and then and have them check your tires for balance.

seeing as how it does it when you brake also have them check your rotors for run out as well.

Premium72 · 09-10-2006, 03:02 AM

allignment wont cuase a vibration.but itll help save your tires. rotate the tires to see if there is any change in the vibration(front to back) then you may need to get em balanced if it does. not sure about the clunk...good luck,.

woodridge · 09-10-2006, 03:06 PM

If you have the same size tire front and rear try moving the front to the rear and see if it makes a differance. The noise and vibration may be totally separate problems. I have seen belts shift in tires making them shimmy on a turn and at higher speeds. If the problem goes away after rotation that may be your problem.

*trkklr77* · 09-10-2006, 10:04 PM

alignment will cause woble and vibration if they are to far off it will pull and push trying to share the load. 4x4 get it all the time from bent tierods and poor caster angles after lifts.

09-07-2006, 07:45 AM	#1
toddtheodd The oddest Todd around Join Date: May 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,418	NEED HELP! front end vibration 1972 c10 1/2 ton, 2wd longbed, with front swaybar from a 1-ton. I've replaced the entire front suspension, balljoints, tie rods and ends, control arm shafts, and I've replace the bearings inner and outer, and shocks. It's only the front left wheel. When I take a hard right turn, at around 45 mph plus, I can feel a vibration. And when I get over 75 mph in a straight line, I can feel it again. I know it's not the front right, because left turns don't vibrate. Also, when I hit a decent size bump (over 20mph) on the left side, the front wheel kinda makes a clunking noise. What could it be? Toad __________________ "The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies and chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth and see those dear to them bathed in tears, to ride their horses and clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters." Ghengis Khan IIOY??? Last edited by toddtheodd; 09-07-2006 at 07:47 AM.

09-07-2006, 09:13 AM	#2
jamon8 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: southern Il Posts: 335	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration body bushings

09-07-2006, 12:08 PM	#3
toddtheodd The oddest Todd around Join Date: May 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,418	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration body bushings? That can cause vibrations? __________________ "The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies and chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth and see those dear to them bathed in tears, to ride their horses and clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters." Ghengis Khan IIOY???

09-07-2006, 12:35 PM	#4
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,271	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration something is loose. Go back over all the new parts and make sure everything is tight.

09-07-2006, 01:06 PM	#5
jamon8 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: southern Il Posts: 335	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration yes!

09-07-2006, 01:34 PM	#6
Green Machine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Estherville, Iowa Posts: 3,371	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration Lug nuts loose ??? __________________ 1968 C10 307 3spd Long Fleet ------ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=201103 1970 C10 305 Super T10 Long Fleet --- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=202285 1971 C20 383 TH350 Dana Posi ----- http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=206894 2001 GMC Sierra 1500 C3 6.0

09-07-2006, 01:53 PM	#7
toddtheodd The oddest Todd around Join Date: May 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,418	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration Nah, I've checked the lug nuts, and they're fine. I'm not doubting you jamon8, because I don't know, but what do body bushings have to do with a 75mph+ vibration in the front left wheel? I'm just curious. I will check them out too. 70rs/ss, I sure am dreading going back through all of that. Those cotter pins are a mother. Especially when the truck has a major oil leak that covers everything in a protective coating in about a week. Todd __________________ "The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies and chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth and see those dear to them bathed in tears, to ride their horses and clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters." Ghengis Khan IIOY???

09-07-2006, 02:02 PM	#8
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,271	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration It's gotta be something loose (the clunk you hear when you hit a bump) I would start whith wheel bearings first (they can lossen up after seating, especially if installed a little loose to begin with) also the shocks could allow the tire to hop, and rebalance the tires cause wheel weights can get thrown off and cause a vibration. Good luck, did you do the a-arm bushings? If so check them, cause everything I mentioned could allow one wheel to clunk and wobble (vibration) sounds like you at least only need to look at one side. Not sure a body bushing would cause any of the symptoms mentioned, just my opinion (unless the clunk is the body clunking into the frame?!) ya never know!!

09-07-2006, 02:02 PM	#9
panhandler62 Java Mechanic Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Martinsburg, WV Posts: 6,764	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration A loose or bad ball joint or possibly a tie rod end might have that effect. __________________ Keith 11 Lincoln MKT -- Momma's wagon 13 G37xS -- middle age crazy car 68 C20 Fleetside -- RIP Decorating the whole town up at a cost of $27 ....

09-07-2006, 02:09 PM	#10
tnblazerk5 User #12137 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: kingsport,upper east tenn Posts: 11,598	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration my 70 was doin the same thing and it was the shock stud was loose in the frame , so ya may want to check that out , it was tight when the truck was on the ground but on a lift the stud was loose

09-07-2006, 03:49 PM	#11
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration I would also check out your brake caliper, make sure it is tight. __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

09-07-2006, 03:50 PM	#12
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration The best way I have found is to jack the truck up and take the weight off the suspension, grab the wheel in question and give it a good shake,up and down and back and forth. Have some else help to look for movement where there isnt supposed to be.

09-07-2006, 03:54 PM	#13
beautimus Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: woodstock, alabama, usa Posts: 938	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration not sure if this would cause your vibration but it could cause the clunk when you hit a bump. on the front suspension crossmember, (the one that the engine mounts to.) check the bolts that hold it to the frame. mine clunked like that when i would hit a bump, but i could not find a problem. when i started the front end rebuild, i found that all of the bolts were loose and that the whole crossmember had been shifting around. i have not completed everything yet, but i believe my clunk will be gone. good luck to you. Tony __________________ i survived cancer and kidney stones, but my kids are killing me.

09-09-2006, 10:01 AM	#14
toddtheodd The oddest Todd around Join Date: May 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,418	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration the clunk started way back when, when I first put in my swaybar. Since then, I've replaced all that stuff to try and get rid of the clunk, and yet nothing has worked so far. I've gone to a shop, and they can't find anything wrong with the front end, but there has to be something or else why am I clunking and vibrating. I think the reason they didn't find anything wrong for vibrations is because it takes a lot of force to make it vibrate, which is why I don't feel it at lower speeds. __________________ "The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies and chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth and see those dear to them bathed in tears, to ride their horses and clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters." Ghengis Khan IIOY???

09-09-2006, 02:55 PM	#15
70rs/ss Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,271	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration Disconnect your swaybar and see if it quiets down, then check that out if it makes the noise stop, sounds like the problem started with the swaybar, start looking there.



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09-09-2006, 03:48 PM	#16
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration I agree with 70, the best place to start looking is the last change before you started having a problem. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

09-09-2006, 10:04 PM	#17
toddtheodd The oddest Todd around Join Date: May 2004 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 1,418	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration The swaybar was the last change before the clunking. The entire front suspension was the last change before the vibration. Can a warped rotor cause vibrations? It's been warped for a while now, but with the new components, maybe it's translating throughout the truck differently now... maybe? Toad __________________ "The greatest pleasure is to vanquish your enemies and chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth and see those dear to them bathed in tears, to ride their horses and clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters." Ghengis Khan IIOY???

09-09-2006, 10:38 PM	#18
trkklr77 Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: vacaville ca, because it as far from indy as i can be Posts: 777	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration when you put the new tierod ends on it is insainly critical to get them in exactly the same spec as the old ones. if not your tires are trying to get used to the new angle they hit the assphalt. you need to get it alighned[sp] and then and have them check your tires for balance. seeing as how it does it when you brake also have them check your rotors for run out as well.

09-10-2006, 03:02 AM	#19
Premium72 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Villa Rica Ga Posts: 889	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration allignment wont cuase a vibration.but itll help save your tires. rotate the tires to see if there is any change in the vibration(front to back) then you may need to get em balanced if it does. not sure about the clunk...good luck,.

09-10-2006, 03:06 PM	#20
woodridge Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Maynardville, Tn Posts: 3,030	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration If you have the same size tire front and rear try moving the front to the rear and see if it makes a differance. The noise and vibration may be totally separate problems. I have seen belts shift in tires making them shimmy on a turn and at higher speeds. If the problem goes away after rotation that may be your problem. __________________ SEMA Network- Protect our Hobby! 71 C30 in pieces, starting to come together. Click here for A Place For Tennessee Truck Enthusiest To Meet

09-10-2006, 10:04 PM	#21
trkklr77 Account Suspended Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: vacaville ca, because it as far from indy as i can be Posts: 777	Re: NEED HELP! front end vibration alignment will cause woble and vibration if they are to far off it will pull and push trying to share the load. 4x4 get it all the time from bent tierods and poor caster angles after lifts.

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