01 conv. rear end vibration/steering wheel- send help

[jack63146]

A steering wheel & rear end vibration at 50-55 mph. Dealer service dept. claims that there is nothing wrong with it and I must spend $170 to get a "road Force Balance" done on the wheels.

Service dept. claims there is a known problem of 01 converts. doing this with no explanation and no resolution. They claim some of the convs. do this from wind force on the rear end of the car while driving.(it did not occur until I owned it over a year at approx. 50,000miles). They say there is not service bulliten other than a "service suggestion" of getting the road force balance done.

It is under warranty and they say this is maintenance issue and a non covered problem.

PLEASE HELP ME. I ADORE MY BEAUTIFUL YELLOW CAR AND I FEEL I'M GETTING BLOWN OFF BECAUSE I'M A BLONDE IN A PRETTY CAR.

LIZA E

 

[marvinmycat]

I would get the TSB from the dealer FIRST to see what it is that Ford found or recommends.

Some probable causes could be needing an alignment. Check your tire wear.
Axle bearing going bad, but I wouldn't think so at this point.
Excessive driveshaft rust. Mines a 98, drive in winter, and I have no probs.
Rear springs/shocks going bad.

Let us know what you find out.

 

[marvinmycat]

This may sound stupid, but I never trust the dealers to work on my car. I take my car to people that I trust!

Anyway, I just thought that you might even want to check the tire pressure and make sure that you didn't throw a wheel weight.

 

[SpectorV]

balance all the wheels and have a GOOD shop do it and also check for the tires being out of balance, if you need new tires or its gonna be that much money... just buy freaking 17 inch rims and tires for 1000 bucks look TONS better and have all new stuff.

 

[Ghostalker]

yes, balance them on a new HUNTER *TM machine! (shameless plug)