1999 f250. trouble in the front end.

[James4482]

when i drive down the rd every once and a while the driverside will start vibrating. sometimes it will do it for a few sec and go away. other times i have to slow down to make it stop. its not my wheel bearing i checked that and it has no play. its not my breaks, just recently replaced them and breaking has no effect on it. i did notice that when i took my hub out to inspect the snapring was not locked were it was supposed to be. so i put the snap ring back in the grove where it goes. at that time i noticed that the u joint behind the wheel bearing has play in just about all directions. up, down, left, right, in, and out. would that play cause a vibration every once and a while while driving. and if that is the problem, what would fix it. would replacing the seal behine the wheel bearing and the one on the other side of the u joint. any suggestions., THANK YOU!!

[vitalidle]

Bumping this to the top

[vitalidle]

James I moved your post to the 99-03 General discussion as it will have a better chance to be seen

[vitalidle]

I am going to venture a guess and say its the u-joint. Come on someone has to have some good advice to give

[grampas garage]

Try checking your tie rod ends for wear .loose tie rod ends could be causeing a shimy. weak shocks can agreavate the situation if the tires are wearing or cupping.

[James4482]

i think i found the problem. i took my hub out and looked at the seal behind it and it was totaly destroyed so i think that is what was doing it. my parts will be here tonight so i will know for a definate. thank for your help vitalidle. i greatly appericiate it.

[vitalidle]

Sorry I wasn't more help! Hope you get it figured out

[stroker27]

are you going to change out your u-joint as well? that will cause a vibration there if it has play. my pass. side was doing the same thing and it had a bad u-joint. ill tell yu... those u-joints were a PAIN to change on my truck, but if its got play it needs done. and that SHOULD take care of your vibration. even if THAT doesn't take care of the vibration, a u-joint with play needs changed anyway. you dont want it coming apart on yu on the freeway.

[James4482]

my seal came in and that fixed the problem. no more vibration. i checked my u joints and they are good. no play. thanks for the advice.

[alabamafrog]

Why would your front drive shaft be turning while driving in 2 wheel? Or was it just the bad seal turning out of round causing the vibration? Reason I ask is I had a problem a while back with one of my hubs intermittently not unlocking in auto. I made a habit to periodically grab the U- joints and make sure the shafts turn freely.