Road Speed Vibration

[Allen P]

Re: Road Speed Vibration

To work and back today 42 miles ,83 degrees high temp,smooth as silk and no noise .Go figure!

[spirit73]

Re: Road Speed Vibration

How hard was it to replace those bolts. Did you just do the two bolts on one side or put one on each side of the car
Thanks
Larry

[theflash]

Re: Road Speed Vibration

Here is how I did it;
1. Loosen front wheel nuts, jack up the car, put jack stands under frame, removed front wheels.

2.remove the plastic rock protector panels at the bottom of both frames in the wheel well

3. placed the jack under the left (or Right) lower ball joint stud and jack up the lower A arm to apply some pressure up.

4. Work on the front bushing first, removed the forward nut from the Lower A arm Bushing.

5. then you will be able to push out the bolt. (if it will not push out with your hand increase or decrease the amount of lift on the jack till it does.)
My bolt just push out.
THE BOLT MUST SLIDE OUT BY HAND, SO THE NEW BOLT WILL JUST SLIDE IN BY HAND.

6. Install the new adjustable bolt and washer then install the washer and nut. Tighten nut to 150 Ft Lbs.

7. you must remove the steering rack to get the rear bushing bolt out to clear the tie rod. Remove the THREE bolts that hold the steering rack in place. Do not let rack fall down to far,that it will pull on electrical wires.

NOTE: You must hold the rear part of the A arm in place before you remove the next bolt!
8. I used a ratcheting binder strap to hold the A arm in place. I placed the strap hook on the A arm I was working on and placed the other starp hook to the opposite A arm and tightened the strap. VERY TIGHT.

9. Losen the nut on the rear A arm bushing and by hand slide out the bolt. As you slide out the bolt, slide in the bolt you took out from the front of the A arm. That way you will be sure the holes will stay lined up.

10. If you can not slide out the bolt by hand you may have to adjust the binder strap and/or adjust the jack pressure.
THE BOLT MUST SLIDE OUT BY HAND, SO THE NEW BOLT WILL JUST SLIDE IN.

11. install washer on new adjustable bolt and slide in, as you slide the new bolt in slide the bolt you used for being sure it stayed aligned out. then install washer on with nut. tighten to 150 Ft LBS.

Repeat to other side A arm.

Then;
12. replace steering rack and three bolts. Thighten.

13. install plasitc rock protector panels

14. install wheels to proper torque 100 Ft Lbs

NOW DRIVE CAR TO GET FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

[spirit73]

Re: Road Speed Vibration

Thank you very much
Larry

[Tbyrdy]

Re: Road Speed Vibration

Here is how I did it;
1. Loosen front wheel nuts, jack up the car, put jack stands under frame, removed front wheels.

2.remove the plastic rock protector panels at the bottom of both frames in the wheel well

3. placed the jack under the left (or Right) lower ball joint stud and jack up the lower A arm to apply some pressure up.

4. Work on the front bushing first, removed the forward nut from the Lower A arm Bushing.

5. then you will be able to push out the bolt. (if it will not push out with your hand increase or decrease the amount of lift on the jack till it does.)
My bolt just push out.
THE BOLT MUST SLIDE OUT BY HAND, SO THE NEW BOLT WILL JUST SLIDE IN BY HAND.

6. Install the new adjustable bolt and washer then install the washer and nut. Tighten nut to 150 Ft Lbs.

7. you must remove the steering rack to get the rear bushing bolt out to clear the tie rod. Remove the THREE bolts that hold the steering rack in place. Do not let rack fall down to far,that it will pull on electrical wires.

NOTE: You must hold the rear part of the A arm in place before you remove the next bolt!
8. I used a ratcheting binder strap to hold the A arm in place. I placed the strap hook on the A arm I was working on and placed the other starp hook to the opposite A arm and tightened the strap. VERY TIGHT.

9. Losen the nut on the rear A arm bushing and by hand slide out the bolt. As you slide out the bolt, slide in the bolt you took out from the front of the A arm. That way you will be sure the holes will stay lined up.

10. If you can not slide out the bolt by hand you may have to adjust the binder strap and/or adjust the jack pressure.
THE BOLT MUST SLIDE OUT BY HAND, SO THE NEW BOLT WILL JUST SLIDE IN.

11. install washer on new adjustable bolt and slide in, as you slide the new bolt in slide the bolt you used for being sure it stayed aligned out. then install washer on with nut. tighten to 150 Ft LBS.

Repeat to other side A arm.

Then;
12. replace steering rack and three bolts. Thighten.

13. install plasitc rock protector panels

14. install wheels to proper torque 100 Ft Lbs

NOW DRIVE CAR TO GET FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT.

Wow. I thought replacing my window motor was tough! It was a piece of cake compared to this! Can't wait to try it!

Did you say the new bolts were longer than the old ones? Any pics?

[theflash]

Re: Road Speed Vibration

yes, the new bolts are longer than the FORD bolts.

No pictures. Just the ones on this site http://www.clearlyauto.com/catalog/2...spension-Parts

But they don't show comparison of the Ford bolts.

[Tbyrdy]

Re: Road Speed Vibration

And I found out my vibration problem:

I bought a set of 2003 premium wheels and tires from a TBN member in Massachusetts. I installed them and just got back from the test ride...No vibration! Smooth as silk... any speed. I went up to 80 on the freeway for six miles. They are terrific! No more aftermarket wheels for me!

[My Raven]

Re: Road Speed Vibration

This started with The Raven about 2 months ago. I have had the tires balanced and alligned twice and it still vibrates in the 65 to 75 mph range. Bill checked it the last 2 times at no charge: the tires were out of allignment but the roads here are the pits with potholes galore so we both assumed that was the problem.

The problem was not solved the first time I drove on the Beltway.

She has spec Michelin replacements identical to the set originally mounted at Wixom. I replaced the tires at 40k: She now has 53k on her.

The original factory rims were switched out with authentic Neiman Marcus factory rims at the time of the tire replacement with no problems at that time.

I sent all of your solutions to my mechanic. I will let you know how this turns out.

None of it sounds cheap thats for sure.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Road Speed Vibration

And I found out my vibration problem:

I bought a set of 2003 premium wheels and tires from a TBN member in Massachusetts. I installed them and just got back from the test ride...No vibration! Smooth as silk... any speed. I went up to 80 on the freeway for six miles. They are terrific! No more aftermarket wheels for me!

Glad you found a solution but sorry to hear the wheels get the blame. I like 'em.

I've never been a fan of the 7 spoke wheels that come with the T-Bird. They don't look nearly as good to my eye as a 5 spoke like this one you've got here. The shiny stuff on the tire I could do without but that is a good looking wheel.

[Tbyrdy]

Re: Road Speed Vibration

Glad you found a solution but sorry to hear the wheels get the blame. I like 'em.

I've never been a fan of the 7 spoke wheels that come with the T-Bird. They don't look nearly as good to my eye as a 5 spoke like this one you've got here. The shiny stuff on the tire I could do without but that is a good looking wheel.

Like to buy 4 of them???