Driver's front vibration

[D'mon]

It never rains, it pours!

I got this vibration occasionally when in locked hub mode over the winter. It would last less than a second, doing it only when everything was well warmed up (although this is a very cold winter), and only when riding over 35mph.

I found the wheel bearings were loose, so I tightened them up to spec. While in there I found that the driver's front shock has leaked (badly) and that the bushings that support the CV shaft thru the hub has substantial free play (althought the right side has more and makes no noise). Upon test riding, I found a constant vibration noise at low speed right off the bat, so turned around and parked again for further checking.

I tore apart the hub, finding evidence of some heat damage on the inner bearingand race and the seal, so I replaced the inner and outer bearings, races and the grease seal. When test driving, it has worked fine (about 100 miles, most highway).

Now on the way to work, I drove over some ice on an otherwise dry piece of highway and got a half second vibration again. I was in two wheel drive, going about 45mph. It did the half second to one second vibrations another two times before I parked.

Now, I have booked off tomorrow to fix but I don't know which way to go. When I did the bearing tightening, I also did an oil change and chassis lube, so it could not be any of my steering components wit ha grease fitting. All of my steering links seem tight, there is no ball joint wear I can see, CV boots (both inner and outer) are undamaged and on the shaft tight. The d/s shock is still bad (should have done last fall but was waiting to find just the right shocks...) and there is free play for the CV shaft thru the hub (can not find any specs on this, but did find a blow apart that shows there are bushings).

Does anyone know what I should be replacing? I have limited money, and very limited access to parts (I live in the contry, once the truck is apart I'm stuck).

Thanks for any help.

D'mon

[signu]

I have been having a similar problem with my 89 truck. My vibration is consistant and only happens in 4wd with the hubs locked, not in two wheel drive. My wheels do need to be balanced and aligned but if that was the only problem then it would happen in 2wd too. I'm gonna try what you've done so far and see if that helps.
Sorry I couldn't help, hope you find a solution to the problem.

[reb]

You know the shock is bad. I would change the shocks first and see if the problem is still there.
When you figure it out, educate the rest of us. Good luck.

reb

[D'mon]

I think I figured it out, at least for my own problem. I forgot to unlock the hubs after yesterday's snow fall, but was running in 2wd. I think it is the driver's side CV joint. Guess I'll have to peel back the boot and take a look tomorrow. I unlocked the hubs before leaving work today, no vibrations or anything.

Good thing it's not the shocks, I've decided on KYB shocks and they are a 3 business day order. Guess I will have to wait on that.

I guess that you buy the previous owner's problems as well as his vehicle when you buy used. New, you just buy a lot of depreciation...

D'mon