I feel like I'm going over rumble strips - The Ford Focus Forum

**Terry1** · 07-01-2009, 02:38 PM

I took my Focus on a 140 mlie ride last Saturday. No problems besides a little shake around 65 mph. I'm aware of balance and alignment, but this seems like a different problem. On my return home, as soon as I drove on to a smooth paved road the problems started. Exactly between 20-25 mph, I get the weirdest vibration. It's like I'm driving on grooved pavement or small rumble strips. If I go slightly faster it's gone. I've tried throwing it in neutral and it still does it. Same thing whether I'm speeding up or slowing down. Boom, right at 20-25 mph. Also, when I finally got through slow traffic and hit the highway at 65 mph , I get a very weird shimmy. I can look at the steering wheel and see it move. This does not sync up with the driveline rotation at all. It is not violent like a shake, more like a rhythm than anything else. I picked up speed, around 70-80 mph for about an hour and a half with no shimmy at all. I'm also hearing some kind of metallic sound in the front end on a low speed left turn. Can't really narrow it down. I had the car up on jackstands yesterday and couldn't find anything loose or making noise. I wouldn't start the car like that, I just spun the tires in neutral. I had both bearings, drivers side axle and drivers side balljoint replaced last year. I've been talking to the mechanic that did the work, and he insist it's the front tires. I have three sets that have been switched around though. I'm trying new tires with a balance tomorow, which I do need. But I'm certain that's not this particular problem. I read too many threads, so I've got too many ideas in my head now. I know this is long winded, but I wanted to go into detail as much as possible.

**Auto_Focus** · 07-01-2009, 10:33 PM

If your mechanic thinks that it's the front tires; why don't you have a tire shop put it on a balancer and see if the tire has a broken belt or other defects that you can't see with just a visual inspection.

**Lancer211** · 07-02-2009, 12:29 AM

Might be resonating.

**Terry1** · 07-04-2009, 04:06 AM

Tires ! I didn't have a chance to hit the highway yet, but the low speed issue is gone. I still have a little rotation noise up front. Thats always been there anyway. I'll take it out for a high speed ride today. I didn't want to take a chance last night with all the people out and about for the 4th of July celebrations. Including the police. I'll check the old tires thoroughly today to see what happened.

07-01-2009, 02:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
Terry1 TEAM Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Riverside,R.I. Posts: 463	I feel like I'm going over rumble strips I took my Focus on a 140 mlie ride last Saturday. No problems besides a little shake around 65 mph. I'm aware of balance and alignment, but this seems like a different problem. On my return home, as soon as I drove on to a smooth paved road the problems started. Exactly between 20-25 mph, I get the weirdest vibration. It's like I'm driving on grooved pavement or small rumble strips. If I go slightly faster it's gone. I've tried throwing it in neutral and it still does it. Same thing whether I'm speeding up or slowing down. Boom, right at 20-25 mph. Also, when I finally got through slow traffic and hit the highway at 65 mph , I get a very weird shimmy. I can look at the steering wheel and see it move. This does not sync up with the driveline rotation at all. It is not violent like a shake, more like a rhythm than anything else. I picked up speed, around 70-80 mph for about an hour and a half with no shimmy at all. I'm also hearing some kind of metallic sound in the front end on a low speed left turn. Can't really narrow it down. I had the car up on jackstands yesterday and couldn't find anything loose or making noise. I wouldn't start the car like that, I just spun the tires in neutral. I had both bearings, drivers side axle and drivers side balljoint replaced last year. I've been talking to the mechanic that did the work, and he insist it's the front tires. I have three sets that have been switched around though. I'm trying new tires with a balance tomorow, which I do need. But I'm certain that's not this particular problem. I read too many threads, so I've got too many ideas in my head now. I know this is long winded, but I wanted to go into detail as much as possible.

07-01-2009, 10:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Auto_Focus TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Franklin Co., OHIO Posts: 673	Re: I feel like I'm going over rumble strips If your mechanic thinks that it's the front tires; why don't you have a tire shop put it on a balancer and see if the tire has a broken belt or other defects that you can't see with just a visual inspection. __________________ 2003 LG Focus ZX3 Premium Zetec 5spd 2006 Felt F3c

07-02-2009, 12:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lancer211 Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 2,031	Re: I feel like I'm going over rumble strips Might be resonating. __________________ For sale: DPFE, MAFS, side markers, trunk handle, fuel door, gas pedal, headlight switch. theanimal211: well... sticking stuff that might obstruct the exhaust is generally not good theanimal211: and exposing your penis to 1000 degree exhaust gas is also not good CarDomain Page

07-04-2009, 04:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
Terry1 TEAM Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Riverside,R.I. Posts: 463	Re: I feel like I'm going over rumble strips Tires ! I didn't have a chance to hit the highway yet, but the low speed issue is gone. I still have a little rotation noise up front. Thats always been there anyway. I'll take it out for a high speed ride today. I didn't want to take a chance last night with all the people out and about for the 4th of July celebrations. Including the police. I'll check the old tires thoroughly today to see what happened.

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