Truck Minor Vibration over 70 MPH?

Just make sure it’s not a loose or worn out wheel bearing, causing excessive wheel end play.

 

What is the maintenance interval on the truck wheel bearings?

 

I’ll say Over the years, I’ve always noticed more vibration going downhill at about 85 mph and up on all of my Trucks. Always attributed it to balance not being perfect due to changes in tires. Or aluminum rims being a little warped or just flexing. Had 1 steer develop a crack between lug hole and center recently, Found out it’s a pretty common thing.The cure for Me is to Slow the hell down!!! I get a little nervous at those speeds in a 2 mil mile 19 yr old Truck, Lol

 

if your ride height is off due to leveling valve adjustment, your vibration will start at around 45 mph. Just the least bit off. ITs not your ride height. 70 mph slight vibration is more than likely drive shaft related. Whether it be out of balance very slightly or maybe the one between the rears needs rebuilt or replaced. This vibration doesnt seem severe at all to justify by the way you make it sound. Only other thing to check would be to make sure all you joints are tight and grab a hold of your driveshaft and make sure there is no play in carrier bearing. I run my truck in the most nasty offroad conditions with tires and dont do any balancing. Im not mr know it all and have to visit the tech section myself, but i have been where you were at. IT gets annoing having ocd like myself with little things like this. In my case, I had driveshaft between rears replaced and vibration gone.

 

My front differential was repaired over a year ago due to some play when rotating the shaft and even a clicking sound right after shifting. I’m not sure if something was done to the driveshaft, though. I was told the driveshaft lasts a very long time.

 

I had one on my left steer with about 1.7 mil, I had it replaced along with seal a few yrs back, just cause, it was still in great shape. A good maintenance plan would be when doing brakes. New seal and bearing inspection.But I really don’t know, I personally would go at least 500-750 on a new Truck, as long as they still looked good even longer. But I’m sure the “proper “answer is 300 k max miles Lol. This yr , I’ve seen an almost new 389 with a bad drive axle bearing and seal. Possibly caused by running it low from seal leaking,and a less than 100 k mile Freightliner Werner Truck with a bad steer wheel seal. Yet my left steer had approximately 1.7 mil on bearings and seal. Right side seal had been replaced twice, bearings and spindle once, due to a bad job on seal, had both steers bearings and seals replaced a few yrs back. . After 300+ k roughly, left side started leaking, found bearing pitted, too tight I believe. Re- did it myself, haven’t re- done right side yet. But will soon. It’s a personal judgement call. Best to inspect and know, instead of guessing and worrying about it. IMO.

 

Don’t forget drive shaft yokes, getting egg holed due to a loos u

I had a new yoke welded onto my driveshaft, a couple yrs ago.It was egg holed. Shop said they don’t balance them because,it’s not like a car, Trucks run at a lower RPM. New slip yokes Carrier, and U- joints.2 weeks later, I had to pull again and do the opposite yoke, near rear end, due to a broken u joint cap bolt. ( I had re- used the bolts and over torqued them, also broke EZ out off in bolt.Lol, So new bolts and a torque wrench all is well. So I had all new slip yokes and carrier and u joints. Everything new, just not balanced.Later while at Freightliner in Columbus Ohio,I’m admiring a set of driveshafts. Asked about the price of a new set. They looked new, I was told nope, rebuilt and balanced as a set by a Company in Detroit. I plan on finding that place and re doing mine. I live near Detroit, but couldn’t find anyone who did balancing. I used 2 different shops, both recommended by quite a few. Live and Learn. Meanwhile driveline seems to be holding up good. What made Me angry at first Shop was they took factory weight off in the process.

 

I wanted to suggest an easily overlooked cause of vibration, motor mounts, if Your Truck is an older model, maybe 7-8 yrs or older, Might want to check them out.

 

ah yes!!! motor mounts. sometimes they are TRASHED!

 

leveling valves are adjustable to set proper ride height. If someone loosened it or the driver monkied with it, the slightest degree of ride height change will cause vibration starting at slower speeds due to driveline angle