06-05-2019, 09:05 AM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17
|
Car Shakes
Hi Everyone,
Car is 1947 ford flathead tudor new to me. Car shakes above 55 mph and decrease only slightly at 70 mph. Had all 4 tires balanced, no change. Steering wheel does not shake. Front end feels nice and tight. What do I check next? Thanks in advance for your input. |
06-05-2019, 09:18 AM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: North Pole, Alaska
Posts: 2,667
|
Re: Car Shakes
Not as simple as my answer, but check everything. King pins to steering box, any amount of wear above specs can cause it. And I’ll probably take flack for this, but
If all else fails, install a stabilizer. |
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|
06-05-2019, 09:26 AM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Hartford, Ct
Posts: 5,898
|
Re: Car Shakes
With the car in neutral and out of gear, rev the engine to the appox speed where shaking occurs to see if its in the flywheel, clutch and associated parts.
Jack the rear wheels off the ground and run thru the gears to check drive line and associated parts. (jack stands recommended)
__________________
DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES |
06-05-2019, 09:27 AM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Marana Arizona
Posts: 1,778
|
Re: Car Shakes
Jack up front end and give the wheels a good back and forth, top/bottom, front/back and determine if there is any play. I know you said that it is tight, but check again.
In the Southwest if we leave a car parked on a slope or in the hot sun sometimes it takes awhile for the tires to return to round. Works just the same in cold country. Especially if tires are old and dry. Do as suggested and check pitman arm and all front end components with the car front end off the ground. OK, I'll join RalphM on the hit list. A stabilizer is a band aid but it is good until your ready to dig into the front end. Enjoy the adventure, Chap |
06-05-2019, 10:10 AM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LaGrande Oregon
Posts: 866
|
Re: Car Shakes
For whats it worth, I had a similar once but with a little different symptoms. It ended up being a broken motor mount. Good luck!!
|
06-05-2019, 10:10 AM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 105
|
Re: Car Shakes
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Al Hook |
06-05-2019, 10:41 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 11,067
|
Re: Car Shakes
What happens when you move the rear tires to the front?
Are your backing plate bolts tight? Check all the bolts and nuts related to your front suspension including the condition of the rubber insulator inside you front wish bone ball cap at the X member. |
06-05-2019, 10:55 AM | #8 |
Member Emeritus
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
|
Re: Car Shakes
Also, how were the tires balanced? Need to be checked on the car if they continue to be an issue, but it is sometimes difficult to find someone with the equipment to do it. There can be lots of tire issues, what make of tire are they?
|
06-05-2019, 11:01 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Shelton, WA
Posts: 3,824
|
Re: Car Shakes
Tires can balance on a slightly bent rim. Make sure none are bent. Also it is a long shot but a bad wheel bearing could do this with perfectly balanced tires.
I would double check every thing that turns or pivots in the suspension, including the shackles. |
06-05-2019, 01:16 PM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Maltby, Washington
Posts: 187
|
Re: Car Shakes
I think the key point the OP made was the steering wheel does not shake. From my experience, normally a front end problem will be transmitted to the steering wheel. I think that 55 MERC-CT and 50fordcoupeman have the right ideas.
|
06-05-2019, 03:21 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
|
Re: Car Shakes
Greasing the front U joint of the drive shaft is another option ,I had a vibration on my 35 and this helped .Takes a pint ,this can also help the front Torque Tube roller bearing ,they have been known to seize from lack of lube,
Last edited by FlatheadTed; 06-05-2019 at 03:58 PM. |
06-06-2019, 05:04 AM | #12 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,772
|
Re: Car Shakes
Agree this was the case with my 39. Replaced tires and smooth at all speeds.
__________________
Thanks Andy 1952 F1 |
06-06-2019, 07:57 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 11,067
|
Re: Car Shakes
As a last resort, check the bolts that secure the steering box to the frame.
|
06-06-2019, 10:57 AM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: upstate SC
Posts: 2,988
|
Re: Car Shakes
2 second flathead ted, had a 36 do the same thing. but I would check the rear tires for bad cords--ie tire coming apart!
|
06-06-2019, 11:26 AM | #15 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17
|
Re: Car Shakes
Thanks everyone for your replies. The tires are at least half worn so I am going to recheck them.
|
06-06-2019, 01:20 PM | #16 |
Member Emeritus
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
|
Re: Car Shakes
I don't remember what it's called, but there is a tire/wheel test where they apply pressure to the tire will it's spinning.
|
06-06-2019, 05:19 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Upper Peninsula, Michigan
Posts: 604
|
Re: Car Shakes
"Road force" is what I believe the test is your thinking of.
|
06-06-2019, 05:42 PM | #18 |
Member Emeritus
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
|
Re: Car Shakes
|
|
|
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) |
|