Front end vibration

[cliffn]

We have a 2000 Century Class with a lot of miles (over 600,000) on it. It has a small vibration in the front end. We have good steers, almost new shocks and centramatics. I am convinced we must have some wear on some of the front suspension parts. Where can I take it to find the exact problem? That is, someone with a suspension machine that can do a thorough check and won't charge me an arm and a leg..... Or is there such a place? Thanks for your help.

Cliff

 

[Glen Rice]

One of the more honest shops I can recommend is the Michelin Tire shop in Ft. Wayne In on route 30 out by the truckstops near I-69. I don't have there number in front of me, I'm sure if your in the area they could help you out. Has anyone checked the king pins lately or wheel bearings? Good luck.

 

[davekc]

Most KW and Peterbuilt dealers have them. Call the one closest to you and ask them. We use the KW dealer in Jacksonville FL. They are very good and reasonably priced. If they do the repair, the cost of the machine is free. Most others operate on that same principle.

With what you have mention, it is probably the bushings or as mentioned, the king pins. Especially with that milage if they haven't been replaced. Bearings can be addressed at that time, but they will not cause you vibration.
When running your truck for a while, put you hand on the hub. If it is real hot, address the bearings. They will replace the bearings if they do the kingpins anyway.
Depending on what needs to be replaced, expect a cost of $1200 to $1600.

Davekc
owner
20 years

 

[kempers_gramp]

Have the front wheels been removed lately?

If so, an inexperienced, or for that matter, an experienced, tire shop employee may have bent your centering tabs on your wheel hub.
Causing what may seem to be a vibration, or a "hop"

Are you sure it is in the front end?

A u-joint in the drive line going bad may feel like it is coming from the front end.

I am not trying to insult your knowledge of your "front end vibration", I am just throwing a couple of ideas out there for you to consider.

Other than those 2 things.........it could be about 1,000 other things.

Good luck, and let us know what you find.

"I'm not much, but I'm all they've got".

 

[guest]

Here is an almost free possible source of your trouble: take the Centramatics off and see if the vibration is still there.

Here is why I make this suggestion. My 2000 Freightliner FL80 did not have any front end trouble, but it was time for an alignment and new shocks so I took it to the Freightliner shop yesterday to have these items done. I also decided to add Centramatics to the front after hearing such great things about them. When I got my truck back I drove away and noticed that the front end felt a little smoother, a little tighter, about what you would expect with new shocks and an alignment. At 43 mph, however, the whole front end began to shake and vibrate and I thought "oh oh, I'm about to see what happens when a medium duty truck loses one or both of its front wheels in traffic", but I slowed down and the shaking went away. I took it back to the shop and they took the Centramatics off. I went on a test drive with the mechanic and the shaking was gone. I took the Centramatics in to the service manager and he made a comment about not thinking they worked very well and refunded my money. Dallas Freightliner. I was happy with how they handled it.

I am not saying that Centramatics don't work. I am certain that they work very well in some situations, on some trucks and some tires, some of the time. I envy the guys who have them and their tires last longer with them. They just didn't work for me yesterday.

I would check this possibility out on your truck before going further with any other repairs.

 

[Refer Hauler]

The 99 century class class trucks have a one piece front hub that has factory pressed bearings in them, canot be replaced. Must buy new hub assembly at around $525 each, have had been in two trucks that had bearings go bad at around 725K miles. Both started off with just a slight vibration. Jack up the front end if any play they are going out. You can change them yourself. Did one on I-65 this spring

 

[Drluvv]

I drove a truck for an owner for a year when I first started out in the business. He had put new front steers on and for about six months the truck drove smooth as a whistle. Then one day I noticed it pulling to the right and I had to keep the steering wheel turned at an ever so slight angle to go straight down the road. Needless to say this was a short fix because in about two more months the front wheels were way out of alignment and three flat spots were forming on the right drive tire and was wearing bad. When I told the owner he told me he was knew about the problem for about two years but didn't have the money back then to fix the alignment. He said that when he did have the money the mechanic then told him that because he waited so long the bearings were damaged and needed replacing. He didn't have anything done that time either cause of lack of funds and left. A few months later once again he takes his truck in with what he thinks is enough money for the job, only to find out that the front brakes have been wearing the drums out at an angle and that he's gonna have to fix that to if he gets the other stuff done including two new tires. So this knuckle head of an owner tells me that after he saves up all this money to get the work done on his truck, he realizes that he has just enough saved up for a brand new BMW M3 and uses the cash to purchase it, and istead of fixing the front end of the truck he just put on two new tires and then hired me to drive it. He started laughing his tail off, so I went into the truck clean out my stuff and told him I'm not risking my life and safety in a truck where the wheels could come off at any time because you want to look cool in a german car. We were at his house and I had my car there so I just packed it up and drove away, he wasn't smiling when I looked in the rear view mirror. I guess I had the last laugh.LOL

 

[tp91324]

I had Centramatics on my motor home and my semi. I got a worse problem when I installed them. I found a different brand of wheel balancer. I bought the balance masters and they solved the problem. I am sold on their products. I learned alot by using the balance masters. They have no frictional wearing materials in there balancers. When I recieved theirs I cut open my centramatics and found that the balls were stuck all over the ring. This was causing my vibration. On my semi one of the rings fell off. I dont recommend centramatics to anyone. If you are an F.M.C.A. member they give you a fantastic deal. Also they make drive shaft balancers which I have purchased. If you want to get the most of your tires and have a nice ride go for balance masters.