Vibration around 55mph, maybe tie rods?

Question

I tried to get my truck alined but the guy said i need new inner tie rods. I jacked up one side of my truck and pushed on the tire and i can see that there is play on both sides of the truck. Ball joints are brand new. Is there supposed to be any play at all when you push the tire at positions 9 and 3? I've got about half and inch to and inch of play. Could this be why im getting a vibration?

175K miles

Answer 1

Bad tie rod ends, and wheel bearing can also cause vibrations. If you have visibe (Tie rod end) play and can feel it when you move the wheel itself while it's jacked, you will definitley feel it on the highway.

Tie rods from what you have said!!!

Answer 2

OK now for the most part you shouldn't be able to jiggle the tire around even with it jacked up off of the ground. The strength you used to move the tire around is nothing compared to what the vehicle will put on the front suspension.
Now for the vibration, there are several different places to look, we can leave out the ball joints since you have replaced those and just take it for granted that you got good parts. Sometimes there are factory defects that don't become evident until use even with the best manufacturers.
Vibration in the front in can come from any number of sources including but not limited to the tie-rod ends (inner and outer), idler arm, Pittman arm(the one connected to the steering gearbox) a-frame bushings, bad shocks, badly worn tires, wheel bearings, and improper balance on the tire and wheel itself. probably there are a few I forgot but I'd bet you have a tie-rod end problem at least. I would take it to another mechanic or 2 and see if they come up with the same answer. You didn't say how old or how many miles are on the truck so I'm just throwing out some ideas and some personal experiences I've had with front end problems

Answer 3

No.. the tires should not move any at all with some effort.

Here's my suggestion, purchase a tie rod end at the locale parts store. This will probably be less than $20. If you don't already have one, purchase a 'ball joint' removal tool (looks like a tuning fork) or use on of the 'loaner tools' from the parts store to facilitate the ball joint removal.

To replace the tie rod end:

1. Jack up and secure the truck on jack stands!
2. Loosen the 'lock nut' on the tie rod end and screw it up some on the tie rod. Use Chalk to mark the tie rod end where screws into into the tie rod. This mark will be used later to locate the new tie rod end.
3. Remove the tie rod end 'ball joint' retaining nut and drive the ball joint tool between the tie rod and the control arm to break it loose.
4. At this point you can 'wiggle' the ball joint end of the tie rod. Compare this movement and the ease there of to the new one you purchased. If there is not difference... put everything back and check the other side.
IF THE TIE ROD END IS BAD....
5. Unscrew the tie rod end from the tie rod.
6. Screw in the new tie rod and use the old tie rod end to gauge the correct location based on the chalk mark you made earlier. Remember this mark indicates the distance from the end of the tie to where the tie rod inserts into the control arm... not the depth you screw in the tie rod end as they can vary in length.
7. Insert the tie rod end into the control arm with some 'light persuasion' and then tighten the retaining nut to proper torque.
8. Tighten the lock nut down against the tie rod.
9. Drop the vehicle and do the other side if necessary and test drive .
10. Get vechile alignment checked.

I've done this procedure before and my vehicle(s) remained in alignment and the vibration problem was cured.

This cheap and easy fix can save major bucks in tire and suspension damage.

Good luck and I hope this helps!

Answer 4

yes, you do nee both tie rod ends and you will need to get the truck aliened again

Answer 5

vibrations always come from tires or wheels ........... nothing else now what causes the vibration from the tires ... bad tyrods balljoints bushings ballance or anyother suspencion part..........get the tyrods chainged there should be no wobble in them you may have allready damaged the tires so they may need to be rotated or ballanced or chainged ....have you eve seen a car that the tyrod broke at 50 mph ???????????imagen 1 wheel turning sharp left and the other one is still streight now avoid hitting your mom on the sidewalk............GET IT FIXED!!!!!!!!! it could be my mom

Answer 6

The vibration you are mentioning can also come from the fact that your bearings need replacing. Check those as well.

Answer 7

YES!!! If it wobbles in your hand, it will wobble at 55mph. The mech is right. Also check your wheel bearings are tight, and that your steering box is adjusted properly.