shaking at 70+ MPH

[Guest]

All,
I have a 03 EB Expedition and when I first got it, I noticed at high speeds it shakes. Felt like the tires were out of balance. Upon taking to the shop, they told me there was a TSB on them because the Tires, Continentials, are now feathered from the factory, which supposedly helps them wear better. They said in a few thousand miles that will go away. Just wondered if anyone else has heard this,
Thanks

 

[djeuch]

Same issue here, and it's still there after 15,000 miles!!!

I am planning on writing Ford an official complaint. If I didn't owe more than it's worth, I'd be tempted to sell my 2002 Expy... it's sad to say, because the rest of the vehicle is great, but I can't take it on highway trips (one of the main reasons I purchased it in the first place!)

 

[abbyzdad]

tgilbert
it is not unreasonable for you to expect NO vibration, whether there is a TSB or not. a tire that has been properly balanced and has a vibration problem when new, will always have a vibration problem. if the ford dealer won't get this handled go to a tire dealer that handles Continental/General. BTW, what is "feathered"?

 

[bnvus]

Feathered is when you can take the palm of your hand and run it over the top of the tire and feel the rubber is pulled up accross the tread. Sort of like when a bird ruffles their feathers they stick up until they smooth it back in place. This helps the bird streamline for optimal flight. Guess the same can be said about the tread of a tire. The only way to correct the problem is to "shave" the tire tread on a special machine.

 

[Guest]

That is exactly what the dealer told me!
Thanks and I do plan on taking it back in next week. I appreciate all your replies!

 

[Guest]

We have a 2001 EB 4x4. Here is your solution, dump the tires and buy the Michelins. We had the same problem with the Goodyears, we had to keep balancing them. Dumped them for the Michelins and have been extremely happy with them after several long road trips at highway speeds (70+).

Larry

 

[rwinch]

This issue has been around for a LONG time. There are hundreds of posts on this on several Ford forums. The general response is that it is caused by poor tire quality.

I have a '98 EB that came with the Goodyear Wrangler RT/S tires. Actually, they sucked on several levels, but I had tons of problems with feathering, or is it cupping? Anyway, it simply destroyed the tires, and caused quite a lot of uncomfortable driving. This all happened in about 6k miles.

I went about correcting this issue methodically, and I am proud to say that it has been solved for 50K or so.

1) First I went in and had a complete alignment. Needed to have a camber kit installed, because i guess Ford didn't think it important to be able to change this (duh).

1a) Complete wheel balancing

2) Then, a few weeks later, I did it again, cuse the first one didn't help. This was at a local shop where I found they did great work!!

2a) Another complete wheel balancing

3) Brought it bake to the second shop again to make sure the alignment was still good. Reason being was the ride was better after the second alignment/balancing, but got worse.

THIS IS WHAT I NOTICED when I was under the truck watching them. There WERE NO WEIGHTS ON THE WHEELS. I knew they put them on, I saw them. I remember some loud bangs, but rocks will do that.

Solution: Tape weights..they hold

Next came new shocks and new tires, and I have not had an issue since. So, it may not apply, but I now make sure that the wheels get tape weights when rebalanced...plus it looks better.