i have an 86 f-150 302 efi. when i get up to about 60 miles per hour, the front end shakes and makes a "thud" noise. i replaced the upper and lower ball joints because they were worn and i thought that might be the problem, but it still does it. it feels like your driving on a really rough road when it starts acting up. any suggestions would be helpful, thanks alot.

 

Front wheel bearings. Tires out of balance or out of round or sidewalls failing. Try swopping tires around or borrow some different ones from a buddy.

 

Hi, you may want to check the radius-arm bushings, if they are worn it can make some noise.

 

I doubt this could be your case but its an FYI, If a drive shaft has a bad U-joint or its not set in right it could do that. I had a friend who had the same issue. turns out he put the caps from the u joints on top of the tangs on the axle. Presto shakes at freeway speeds.

 

hi, i tried swapping tires still bad i replaced the wheel bearings about a month ago so theyre good. i took the tires off everything seems tight. the only thing i havent replaced is the tie rod ends but they seem ok no slack. im at a stand still, thanks so much.

 

Hi, I guess you checked the radius arm bushings, so check the shocks, make sure they are not "sticky/stuck" ,this can happen if they get bad or bent, check rotors and see that the calipers are releasing and make sure there is not a "chunk" missing. You would not believe some of the things I have seen happen to trucks. You have checked your ball joints and tie rods tires and wheels.This is a 2-wheel drive? Check the steering box, make sure it is solid as well as pitman arm is good shape. If I can think of some thing else I will add in with it. It is hard to say with out looking at it first hand.

 

I had something similar happen with an 82 F150 2wd...turned out to be the bolts holding the axle pivot bushings were worn and the bushings were slapping side to side.

 

well i replaced the inner and outer tie rod ends, and checked all the bushings that i could see, and still it shakes. im at a stopping point. ive spent too much on it. anyone wanna buy an 86 f-150 thats a great truck short of a few shakes and rattles? thanks for all the help guys.