Steering/Tires/Wheels - Steering Wheel Nibble at 65MPH
TSB 05-7-204/18/05
STEERING WHEEL NIBBLE AT 65 MPH (105 KM/H)
OR HIGHER
FORD:
2003-2005 Expedition
LINCOLN:
2003-2005 Navigator
This article supersedes TSB 03-12-07 to add model years and update the Service Procedure.
ISSUE
Some Expedition/Navigator may exhibit a steering wheel nibble (side-to-side or rotational oscillation) at 65 MPH (105 km/h) or higher.
ACTION
Refer to the Diagnostic Overview. Based on the customer's description of the concern, find the appropriate Operating Condition and Probable Cause. If the vehicle concern and operating conditions match those on the Diagnostic Overview, follow the TSB Service Procedure to repair.
NOTE
IT IS CRITICAL TO IDENTIFY SPECIFIC VEHICLE SPEEDS AND OPERATING CONDITIONS WHEN THE VIBRATION OR NIBBLE IS OCCURRING TO PROPERLY DIAGNOSE AND REPAIR THE ISSUE. TIRE AND DRIVELINE VIBRATION CAN FEEL SIMILAR. USE OF AN ELECTRONIC VIBRATION ANALYZER (EVA) OR VETRONIX VIBRATION ANALYZER IS RECOMMENDED TO CORRECTLY IDENTIFY VIBRATION SOURCES (ORDERS) AND FREQUENCY (HZ).
SERVICE INFORMATION
NOTE
NIBBLE CANNOT BE ELIMINATED WITHOUT PROPER TIRE AND WHEEL BALANCE.
1. Drive the vehicle at highway speeds for at least 20 miles (33 km) to eliminate the flat spotting. Install an EVA or Vetronix vibration analyzer and have an assistant monitor and record the reading near the end of the 20 miles (33 km) drive and while at the peak of the vibration.
a. If the vibration goes away during the 20 mile (33 km) drive, the concern is due to temporary tire flat spotting which is a normal tire condition. Do not continue with this TSB.
b. If the vibration remains, proceed to Step 2 for 4x4 vehicles, or to Step 3 for 4x2 vehicles.
NOTE
THE VEHICLE MUST BE DRIVEN TO REMOVE TIRE FLAT SPOTS, THE TIRE BALANCE AND ROAD FORCE MEASUREMENTS MAY BE INACCURATE OTHERWISE.
2. Check the Integrated Wheel End (IWE) on 4x4 units. Raise the front of the vehicle (wheels off the ground), engine running, and vehicle in 2WD mode. The front half shafts should not turn when wheels are rotated by hand.
a. If the IWE is functioning correctly, proceed to Step 3.
b. If not, refer to Workshop Manual Section 308-07 and repair IWE first, then proceed to Step 3.
NOTE
THE PROCEDURE IN THIS TSB IS FAR MORE EFFECTIVE WHEN USING ROAD FORCE MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT. ONLY USE A STANDARD BALANCER AND MANUALLY CHECK RUN OUT WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY. VISIT WEBSITE (WWW.G5P9700.COM) TO LOCATE THE NEAREST FACILITY THAT HAS THIS TYPE OF EQUIPMENT.
3. If road force measurement equipment (Hunter GSP 9700, 9712, or equivalent) is available, proceed to Step 4. If not, balance the tires with a standard balancer and use a dial indicator to locate and mark the high point of each tire's centerline radial runout. This will be used for the R1H reading in the following steps. After marking the tires, proceed to Step 7.
NOTE
SUPPRESS ROUND OFF FUNCTION ON ROAD FORCE BALANCER TO ALLOW ACTUAL RESIDUALS TO BE DISPLAYED.
4. Perform the road force measurement immediately after driving the vehicle. Remove the wheel cover and wheel assembly. Measure the road force variation of all four tires. Measure and mark the tire HIGH road force variation point (R1H) on all four tires prior to dismounting them from the road force measurement equipment. Balance as required to 0.35 oz (10g) or less of imbalance (check both two-plane and static). If any wheel assembly measures more than 25 lbs R1H, then proceed to Step 5. If less than 25 lbs R1H, proceed to Step 6.
5. Using the road force measurement equipment, determine the low spot of the wheel run out. Match high point force variation on the tire with the low spot of wheel run out. If the wheel assembly is now acceptable, continue with rebalance. If not, replace the tire and recheck.
NOTE
THE SPARE TIRE SHOULD NOT BE USED AS A REPLACEMENT TIRE.
6. Install the lowest R1H level tires on the front of the vehicle.
7. Position all tire/wheel assemblies on the hubs with the high R1H point, or high tire centerline radial run out, at the 12:00 position (Figure 2).
8. Install the lug nuts and torque to 150 lb-ft (200 N.m).
9. Using a flat feeler gauge, check the wheel hub-to-bore clearance to verify the largest gap is as close to the 6:00 position as possible (Figure 2). If the largest gap is not located near the 6:00 position, remove the lug nuts and tire/wheel assembly, rotate the hub to a new position, and reinstall the tire/wheel assembly again following Steps 7 and 8. Check again for the optimum 6:00 gap location.
10. Road test vehicle to verify vehicle is corrected. If not corrected, proceed to Step 11.
11. Replace the steering gear per the following vehicle and build date information.
NOTE
DO NOT REPLACE THE STEERING GEAR UNLESS NIBBLE CANNOT BE RESOLVED WITH TIRE/WHEEL BALANCE.
^ Expedition built from 3/17/2002-7/15/2002:
2L1Z-3504-KB
^ Expedition built from 7/15/2002-5/20/2004:
4L1Z-3504-AA
^ Expedition built after 5/20/2004: Do not replace the steering gear. These vehicles already contain the latest level.
^ Navigator built from 3/18/2002-6/27/2003:
4L7Z-3504-AA
^ Navigator built after 6/27/2003: Do not replace the steering gear. These vehicles already contain the latest level.
NOTE
WHEN REPLACING NAVIGATOR STEERING GEAR, ALSO REFER TO TSB 03-11-05 FOR INFORMATION ON REPROGRAMMING THE IVD MODULE.
Labor Operation Claiming Chart
OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: 03-11-05
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage
DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
3504 42
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