Fj60 Shaking tons after 30 mph

[jsan84fj60]

That “leak” looks like it’s time to rebuild the knuckle.

Also you shouldn’t have loose shocks on the ground or in the air. A wonky shock isn’t causing your vibration but it could lead to other handling issues.

Yeah thanks Seth. I will replace them for sure.
Do you think the leak could be the issue?
I do have to fix those soon.
Thanks again.

 

[Seth S]

Yeah thanks Seth. I will replace them for sure.
Do you think the leak could be the issue?
I do have to fix those soon.
Thanks again.

No. The leak isnt causing your vibration. If you didn’t have a vibration before the wheel spacers and now you have one after….I’d start with the wheel spacers.

 

[Gretsch]

Honestly, I don't know it is the spacers for sure. Is the only thing that is "new" but it might be the lugs, or something else that was there and now coincidently I am finding out because I drove the truck yesterday.

Ah got it. I thought these were a recent addition. In that case it might be worth simply taking the spacers off and see if your trouble goes away to rule them out. Then address what the deal is with them.

Do you have a link where you purchased those that you can share?

I just ordered them through my local dealer so I don't have a link I could offer really. Edit: The lugs I got were the 'B' version of that P/N FYI.

After reading your post again, I feel like i have to ask you, how you know?

I had some wheels powder coated for my truck. The powder coaters put the wheels on for me as part of the service. They apparently didn't do it properly and I have to say I most likely didn't re-check them well enough to ensure the lugs were properly torqued. They worked themselves loose over time and finally destroyed a wheel and broke all but one of the wheel studs clean off:

I re-used my original acorn style lugnuts which I think just had some worn out threads. The end result was replacing wheel studs of that hub after having just done it a year earlier. Just not a good time. The experience was a slight vibe at certain speeds. I chalked it up to the shop using tape weights to balance the tire and the tire just being slightly out of balance. No death wobble or anything but it was a noticeable vibe. I was pretty distracted with helping my elderly dad through some health challenges of his own at the time, so I just didn't look into it like I should have. I'll own it and lesson learned. Just lucky the wheel stayed on the hub. Was an expensive mistake though.

(It is the first time I have driven it on the road (to the gas station down the street to fill it) in about 9 months, because I have been battling cancer the past 10 months)

Really sorry for what you are going through there. Hope you are winning that battle. Thoughts for you here. HTH.

 

[Seth S]

Your wonky shock could be contributing to your death wobble. You have also moved the wheels farther outboard on the truck and this completely changes the dynamics of the suspension.

 

[kirvesmies]

Your wonky shock could be contributing to your death wobble. You have also moved the wheels farther outboard on the truck and this completely changes the dynamics of the suspension.

@Seth S , please explain to me how it changes the dynamics of the suspension. spacers on the front will change steering geometry which could start the death wobble.
@jsan84fj60 , maybe i missed it, but is the wobble in your steering wheel?

 

[jsan84fj60]

Ah got it. I thought these were a recent addition. In that case it might be worth simply taking the spacers off and see if your trouble goes away to rule them out. Then address what the deal is with them.



I just ordered them through my local dealer so I don't have a link I could offer really. Edit: The lugs I got were the 'B' version of that P/N FYI.



I had some wheels powder coated for my truck. The powder coaters put the wheels on for me as part of the service. They apparently didn't do it properly and I have to say I most likely didn't re-check them well enough to ensure the lugs were properly torqued. They worked themselves loose over time and finally destroyed a wheel and broke all but one of the wheel studs clean off:

View attachment 2802509

I re-used my original acorn style lugnuts which I think just had some worn out threads. The end result was replacing wheel studs of that hub after having just done it a year earlier. Just not a good time. The experience was a slight vibe at certain speeds. I chalked it up to the shop using tape weights to balance the tire and the tire just being slightly out of balance. No death wobble or anything but it was a noticeable vibe. I was pretty distracted with helping my elderly dad through some health challenges of his own at the time, so I just didn't look into it like I should have. I'll own it and lesson learned. Just lucky the wheel stayed on the hub. Was an expensive mistake though.



Really sorry for what you are going through there. Hope you are winning that battle. Thoughts for you here. HTH.

Thanks. That is a crazy story. I feel like everyone here that I talked to has one of those that you have to own and learn from it.
(Cancer is getting better, and trying to get to an official remission, but it is a long and painful process. Thank for the thoughts)
Yeah. I am going to start with replacing the lug nuts to open ones as you suggested. Seems like the logical and best first step.
Followed by replacing the shocks and taking it for a spin.
If the wobble continues, remove the spacers to see if they are the issue.
Take it from there.
Thanks I appreciate the input

 

[jsan84fj60]

@Seth S , please explain to me how it changes the dynamics of the suspension. spacers on the front will change steering geometry which could start the death wobble.
@jsan84fj60 , maybe i missed it, but is the wobble in your steering wheel?

Hey. Yes great question. I don't think I mentioned that.
Yes, the wobble was on the steering wheel. Started all the sudden and got worse (if it makes sense) when I was slowing down because I thought the truck was going to flip over.
It scared me, so my first instinct was to slow down. I noticed the steering wheel almost took my hand off of it.
Then after I pulled over to check the nuts (all seemed fine) I hit the road again and did it again. Second time seem like it did it faster and I was going slower.
Not sure if it all makes sense.

 

[OSS]

I’d raise up a wheel and put the axle in a stand and spin the wheel to see how true it turns. Do that on every wheel. Look for run out. While you’re at it grab the wheel and try rock it from top to bottom to see if there’s any play.

 

[kirvesmies]

ok, it started when you installed spacers so simple fix is...rip em out, n find an old school exhaust shop to move the exhaust pipe. or just massage it with a hammer.
cuz if you are hitting your muffler at any time with the tire, you've got WAY larger issues

 

[Lead Head]

That loose shock could absolutely cause a severe vibration. The main purpose of the shocks are to control the axle's movements to keep the tire on the ground. That side with the missing rubber isolator is just going to be bouncing all over the place. You need to replace that bushing ASAP before going any further.

Next step is to either get longer lug nuts, or open lug nuts to ensure the wheels are torqued fully and properly torqued. Then if that still doesn't solve the problem, you need to remove the wheel spacers and see if the issue stops. If the issue stops then either the spacers are manufactured incorrectly or they're upsetting your steering/suspension geometry too much.

@Seth S , please explain to me how it changes the dynamics of the suspension. spacers on the front will change steering geometry which could start the death wobble.
@jsan84fj60 , maybe i missed it, but is the wobble in your steering wheel?

The steering geometry is part of the suspension system. When you put wheel spacers on, you change the scrub radius of the tires. If you look at the angle of the king pins, trunion bearings or ball joints on any vehicle and draw an imaginary line straight through them, you'll notice that line will land somewhere roughly in the middle of the tread where it hits the ground. That is not a coincidence. Where that imaginary line lands is chosen carefully during suspension development. Wheel spacers, wider tires, and different offset wheels change that dynamic and greatly affects the steering and handling (especially during break and on very bumpy roads). I have never driven a vehicle with wheel spacers that felt "right".

 

[kirvesmies]

steering geometry changes do not change suspension dynamics(how the suspension works)
suspension alteration changes steering geometry

That loose shock could absolutely cause a severe vibration. The main purpose of the shocks are to control the axle's movements to keep the tire on the ground. That side with the missing rubber isolator is just going to be bouncing all over the place. You need to replace that bushing ASAP before going any further.

Next step is to either get longer lug nuts, or open lug nuts to ensure the wheels are torqued fully and properly torqued. Then if that still doesn't solve the problem, you need to remove the wheel spacers and see if the issue stops. If the issue stops then either the spacers are manufactured incorrectly or they're upsetting your steering/suspension geometry too much.


The steering geometry is part of the suspension system. When you put wheel spacers on, you change the scrub radius of the tires. If you look at the angle of the king pins, trunion bearings or ball joints on any vehicle and draw an imaginary line straight through them, you'll notice that line will land somewhere roughly in the middle of the tread where it hits the ground. That is not a coincidence. Where that imaginary line lands is chosen carefully during suspension development. Wheel spacers, wider tires, and different offset wheels change that dynamic and greatly affects the steering and handling (especially during break and on very bumpy roads). I have never driven a vehicle with wheel spacers that felt "right".

 

[cps432]

My money is on the lug nuts bottoming out and failing to torque properly. I have had issues with lug nuts in the past on other vehicles as well as a dumbass failure on my part to properly torque my rear lugs causing insane vibrations like you describe. If the lugs are hitting the end cap of the nuts and busting through.... that’s a no brainer. Fix that ASAP and get those shocks torqued properly. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to go through the entire suspension and double check that everything is tight.

Still, my money is on your nutz...

 

[jsan84fj60]

Ok. Thanks. Not sure I follow all the technical stuff but I think the problem is the lug nuts.
I checked with the one that was broken, just to see how much the stud will have to come out of it for the wheels to be properly torqued, and it is like 1/8" longer.
See pic

so, I think the next logical step is new open ones.
They might be tight enough for the car to run at low speeds but open enough for a wobble.
I honestly believe that is the issue.
I am ordering and replacing them to see what happens next.
I will make sure to update you all later this week.
Thanks!

 

[jsan84fj60]

My money is on the lug nuts bottoming out and failing to torque properly. I have had issues with lug nuts in the past on other vehicles as well as a dumbass failure on my part to properly torque my rear lugs causing insane vibrations like you describe. If the lugs are hitting the end cap of the nuts and busting through.... that’s a no brainer. Fix that ASAP and get those shocks torqued properly. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to go through the entire suspension and double check that everything is tight.

Still, my money is on your nutz...

Thanks. I think I agree with you on that.
Changing them soon.
Thanks

 

[cps432]

Ok. Thanks. Not sure I follow all the technical stuff but I think the problem is the lug nuts.
I checked with the one that was broken, just to see how much the stud will have to come out of it for the wheels to be properly torqued, and it is like 1/8" longer.
See pic
View attachment 2802681
so, I think the next logical step is new open ones.
They might be tight enough for the car to run at low speeds but open enough for a wobble.
I honestly believe that is the issue.
I am ordering and replacing them to see what happens next.
I will make sure to update you all later this week.
Thanks!

Oh yeah. It’s defiantly yer nutz. I have no doubts about it now. But, since your shock came loose I would double check everything else while you’re at it. How’s it missing the bushing?? That’s crazy. Especially since you say you put 100 miles or less on the truck annually.

 

[jsan84fj60]

Oh yeah. It’s defiantly yer nutz. I have no doubts about it now. But, since your shock came loose I would double check everything else while you’re at it. How’s it missing the bushing?? That’s crazy. Especially since you say you put 100 miles or less on the truck annually.

Thanks.
Man, honestly I don't know. Didn't pay attention to it, my wild guess is that it came off yesterday during those 2 crazy wobble moments. Not 100% sure.
I don't know if they sell the bushings by itself, so I can replace those 2, or If i have to buy the entire shocks.
Thanks.

 

[cps432]

Thanks.
Man, honestly I don't know. Didn't pay attention to it, my wild guess is that it came off yesterday during those 2 crazy wobble moments. Not 100% sure.
I don't know if they sell the bushings by itself, so I can replace those 2, or If i have to buy the entire shocks.
Thanks.

That’s a good question. If it’s OME I would give cruiseroutfitters a call. They would be able to answer that for you.

 

[jsan84fj60]

Oh yeah. It’s defiantly yer nutz. I have no doubts about it now. But, since your shock came loose I would double check everything else while you’re at it. How’s it missing the bushing?? That’s crazy. Especially since you say you put 100 miles or less on the truck annually.

Yer nutz! Hahahahahaha. Just got that.

 

[jsan84fj60]

That’s a good question. If it’s OME I would give cruiseroutfitters a call. They would be able to answer that for you.

Ok. Cool. I am pretty sure that was the brand. I got it like 7 years ago.
I will call them and see.
Thanks

 

[Gretsch]

I’d raise up a wheel and put the axle in a stand and spin the wheel to see how true it turns. Do that on every wheel. Look for run out. While you’re at it grab the wheel and try rock it from top to bottom to see if there’s any play.

^^^^ This....