Torque and Chrome

Steering wheel shake on a brand new F-150 truck that has 20" rims?

I am looking for a F-150 FX2 brand new and finally found "one". It came out with 20" Ford factory rims that look great. However, when I was test-driving, I noticed that I got a little shakes on steering wheel. It's fine at lower speed. Once it gets about 60 mph+, it shakes. Other than that, everything's fine (yes, it's brand new). I had them check tire pressure and re-testdrove, but it was the same. I did my research here and found that most of steering wheel shake issues come from misalignment/unbalanced tire balance. Because this is brand new, I doubt it. I purchased a 07 Tundra with 20" chrome wheels that were installed by Texas Toyota dealer (not Toyota). After driving 3K miles, I got severe shakes on steering wheel. I had them check it, and they replaced something (I don't remember). Then it's gone. I am now thinking that the 20" rims and tires make the shakes on the F-150. What do you think? Since this is the only one available, I need to buy this, but don't want hassle

Public Comments

1. Have the dealership check the wheel and tire balance first alot of times wheel weights fall off during shipping. Since it is a new vehicle they have to fix the problem before they can sell it to anyone that is the law. Also it could have a bent rim, however since it is only at higher speeds this is unlikely.
2. A shake felt in the steering at 60 mph or above is almost certainly a tire balance problem and just because it's new doesn't mean it couldn't have a tire out of balance. Those wheels use stick on adhesive weights and some of the weights could have come off or it was just never properly balanced to begin with. Alignment problems rarely cause a vibration so I would have the tires re-balanced. It's under warranty so just insist they fix it to your satisfaction prior to your buying it if you decide to.
3. I would say that you'd be better off having your wheels and tires balanced on a Hunter GSP 9700 balancing machine. If you go to Hunter's Website you can put in your zip code and it'll give you several dealers and tire shops that has this *particular machine. This machine is the very best in the world because it tests the wheel for any physical dimensional discrepancies as well as the tires before the actual balancing begins. If I were you I'd male Ford pay for getting this job done also. You paid for a perfectly new truck and you certainly don't need the aggravation you're experiencing now. Believe me when I say this machine will get to the bottom of the problem as it balances entirely differently than anything you've seen in the past. The majority of the balance weights (if needed) are glued under the wheel flange directly on the inside of wheel where they can't be seen. It also has the ability to spot a bad tire which can and does happen. Occasionally lateral run out as well as circumferential run-out may be causing the problem. In that case a new tire would be warranted on Ford's dime!
4. unbalanced tire .... most likey... test put in drive and just let it roll no gas you feel any thing will be a bad tire or wheel..... but after that most always a bad balance...so have them re balance or replace the tires or wheels