Constant rattling and shaking!

[BlueTahoe2001]

For the last 2,000+ Miles I have had a constant and ANNOYING shaking in the steering wheel and the front right side of the truck. My steering wheel also pulls to the right. My first thought was to have the front right wheel and tire balanced. I had that done, and still had the shaking. Also, anytime I hit an over-pass with a small hump or dip in the road, that truck seems to almost "Bounce" up and down.

Next thought was the wheel-hub bearing. Checked that and it looked good. No excess play, no signs of discoloration.

The last thing that I thought about checking was the bump-stops and front shocks. Seeing that the truck has 125,000 Miles with factory GM shocks, I knew that it is getting time to replace them. The bump-stops looked like they have been to hell and back. They have cracked, and chunks of the rubber are falling off. Im going to assume that it's time for new shocks? Any other things I could check and find this problem for the shaking? Or could the shocks cause this as well?

I'll get some pictures tomorrow morning and post them up to show you what I mean.

 

[BOSS]

No drop? Prolly time for shocks brother

B

 

[BlueTahoe2001]

No drop? Prolly time for shocks brother

B

No drop, Factory ride height... I might go ahead and do the Pitman and Idler arms while Im at it. Hopefully after all this, I'll be trouble free for a while...

 

[sumo]

Ball joints or tie rods. Jack up the front grab the wheel on the side and shake side to side for tie rods, Grab top and bottom of tire and shake the tire for ball joints. There should be no play what so ever. If they feel loose time to replace. As for pull, you may have a caliper thats hanging up. Whats the condition of pads vs other side? Rotors grooved, glazed?

 

[swtz71]

Have you checked to see if your rotor is warped? Maybe that caliper is hanging up.

 

[WHITEOUT]

Hey bro, I got the same kinda thing going on. But mine shakes my front end, steering wheel, only at certain speeds tho, and not all the time, very odd. Have had my tires balanced 5 times thinking it was that. But come to find out from a mechanic buddy, it's my lower ball joints. My tops probably need replaced too, but my bottoms are shot, especially the drivers side. Not sure if you got the same prob. but might be same thing. would check your ball joints, maybe you just need to add some grease, never know. If you got a grease gun, just take some time and grease all your zirt fittings in the front end. Plus it's good to do anyways. Hope it helps

 

[BlueTahoe2001]

Ball joints or tie rods. Jack up the front grab the wheel on the side and shake side to side for tie rods, Grab top and bottom of tire and shake the tire for ball joints. There should be no play what so ever. If they feel loose time to replace. As for pull, you may have a caliper thats hanging up. Whats the condition of pads vs other side? Rotors grooved, glazed?

Did the test you reccomended. Nothing, no play in either. Soon as I go to rotate the tires tonight, I'll be sure to look and take some pictures.

Have you checked to see if your rotor is warped? Maybe that caliper is hanging up.

^^^, Once I rotate the tires I will check this.

Hey bro, I got the same kinda thing going on. But mine shakes my front end, steering wheel, only at certain speeds tho, and not all the time, very odd. Have had my tires balanced 5 times thinking it was that. But come to find out from a mechanic buddy, it's my lower ball joints. My tops probably need replaced too, but my bottoms are shot, especially the drivers side. Not sure if you got the same prob. but might be same thing. would check your ball joints, maybe you just need to add some grease, never know. If you got a grease gun, just take some time and grease all your zirt fittings in the front end. Plus it's good to do anyways. Hope it helps

Yup, Had the tires balanced twice and still nothing. I checked all the bearings and they all seemed good same with the Idler and Pitman arms. I forgot to grease all my fittings while I was under there, I'll be sure to give that a try as well!


Here are some pictures of the bump-stops from hell!...Lol.

 

[sumo]

You weren't kidding about hell. Shock doesn't like its leAking
.. did you check the tires for broken belts

 

[BlueTahoe2001]

You weren't kidding about hell. Shock doesn't like its leAking
.. did you check the tires for broken belts

No, Didn't think of that. Tomorrow I am heading to 4 wheel parts first thing in the monring and picking a set of shocks up. Once I get them on and take it for a spin and it doesn't work, I'll check and replace the hub-bearing if needed.

I'll keep this thread updated that way if anyone else runs into this it will be easy to pin-point the problem.

 

[brucebruce45]

do you still have the clips holding the rotor on. if so take em off