[shuang71]

Hello all,

I have a 02 Escape XLS (V6) and I just got four new tires and alignment done. But the car still vibrates a bit on the highway, especially when the speed is over 120KM/h.

secondly, when drive on bumpy roads, the car seems to shake a bit, feels more bumpy than it should, and I can sort of feel that the front tires are off the ground slightly. Is this normal?

Thirdly, when have the 4X4 option on, I get stuck when backing out the car with an angel (like 45 degree), it is sort of like the wheels (at the rear or the front, not sure) are locked. Same thing does not happen when I turn off the 4X4 option.

I have done some research, some people are suggesting CV joint problem, any advices will be appreciated.

 

[JD64]

1. Vibrations at higher speeds only might be a driveshaft out of balance or a worn ujoint. Is it a high pitched vibration?

2. Extra bouncy on bumpy roads might be worn struts. What's the air pressure in the tires? I believe the manufacturer calls for 30psi front and rear. Sometimes tire shops put too much air in the tires and that can make the ride choppy too.

3. Are you using 4x4 in high traction conditions such as dry pavement? If so, stop doing it. You should only use 4x4 on slick roads. Even merely rain is not considered slick. By slick I mean snow, ice, muddy dirt roads. 4x4's will bind when turned to sharp in higher traction condiitions and that is normal. It's a normal symptom to feel the binding but it should be avoided. The binding can put undue stress on the driveline and break things. You should only switch the 4x4 on when it's really needed. Think of it like this. In 4x4 the front and rear wheels are moving as a unit via the transfer case. When you turn sharp, the front wheels are on a wider circle than the rear wheels. The wider circle has a larger circumfrance the the front tires need to travel a greater distance than the rear. In slick conditions, the wheels can slip a bit to absorb the difference. In high traction conditions, they stick too good and when the front and rear are forced to travel different distances (tight circle) you feel the binding.

Hope this helps.

 

[SUVord]

Hello all,

I have a 02 Escape XLS (V6) and I just got four new tires and alignment done. But the car still vibrates a bit on the highway, especially when the speed is over 120KM/h.

Did the car vibrate before you did what you mention above?
If yes, then it is a main driveshaft problem which can be limited to either a worn U-joint or the center support of the axle.If either one of these are gone south then at the speed you are mentioning, but at wide to medium turns, the vibration and the noise should be louder.In that case you can change any of the U-joints but not the center support which is part of the axle.In most cases the center axle support is not the problem.

secondly, when drive on bumpy roads, the car seems to shake a bit, feels more bumpy than it should, and I can sort of feel that the front tires are off the ground slightly. Is this normal?

It is not normal at all.Your shocks are shot. Most probably the front ones, especially if you have a funny feelling of the sterring wheel as well.

Thirdly, when have the 4X4 option on, I get stuck when backing out the car with an angel (like 45 degree), it is sort of like the wheels (at the rear or the front, not sure) are locked. Same thing does not happen when I turn off the 4X4 option.

Never-never-never-never switch to 4X4 on dry tarmac and a million times never do that in reverse.

Last but not least!!!
Check for cracks the rear support bracket.It is the big bracket bridge which holds the rear differential etc.
In many places they juck the car up from the differential instead of from the bracket and that results in cracking the support bracket.

I have done some research, some people are suggesting CV joint problem, any advices will be appreciated.

CV joint problem it is not.The symptoms are different.

 

[shuang71]

Hi JD64,

thank you for your quick reply. I appreciate your point about point #3.

In terms of the vibration, it almost feels like that I am losing a bit control of the car as I can feel the steering wheel is shaking, this only happens if the speed is above 110km/h and gets worse as I accerelate.

For point#2, I have checked my tire pressures, they are all set at 30psi.

 

[christophera]

Our Escape had similar symptoms not long after we bought it. The tyres needed replacing anyway so I had them done and the shop told me that my tie rod rack ends were worn so they weren't able to do a wheel alignment.
I took the car to a suspension place and had them do a full suspension and steering check. They confirmed that the rack ends were worn so I had them replaced (from memory it cost less than $150), got a 4 wheel alignment and voila!... no more vibration, no more wandering at highway speeds, no more vibration when braking from highway speeds.
I'm sure there are places in the States that'll do a suspension/steering test for you for a few dollars and it'll be well worth it.

 

[christophera]

Any update? Am interested to know what the problem was.

 

[shuang71]

I haven't been to the shop yet, I need to replace my brake pads soon, so will also have this checked out, will keep everyone posted....thanks!

 

[timw2]

Sounds like bad shocks to me.Tires not staying in contact wit road.

 

[shuang71]

some update guys, finally got it checked out at the shop and it was the problems with outer Tie rod end and sway bar, I replaced both and no more vibration on the highway.

 

[SUVord]

some update guys, finally got it checked out at the shop and it was the problems with outer Tie rod end and sway bar, I replaced both and no more vibration on the highway.

Thank you for posting the fix.

 

[christophera]

some update guys, finally got it checked out at the shop and it was the problems with outer Tie rod end and sway bar, I replaced both and no more vibration on the highway.

Thank you for posting the fix.

Yes, thanks for that....symptoms were very close to mine where the problem was worn inner tie rod ends.

 

[ltlredscape]

I had a similar problem just after i bought mine also and apparently it was like that when its previous owners had it too. but only one tire would vibrate and hum loudly at speeds over 50mph. It would also veer towards one side even after alignment. Long story short, i took it into a suspension place and they found out it was a wheel bearing that went out. They fixed it and no more noise or veering.

 

[mattmo77]

I have this same issue. The steering wheel shakes violently over 60mph. ANNOYING AS HELL. I m takin it in this week. But great info guys. I kinda think that my situation is a little different, see I took "Creek Walker" through a creek :rockon: (more like a small river), with 20's on... :bang honestly i couldnt go back on the trail do to flash floods),
So i made it through, WOW it was fantastic! BUT, the bottom of the "creek" wasnt mud or sand, it was hugh rocks. I felt a big rock hit the wheel as i came up back on other side, after that came my problem. So this is a self inflicted injury.

Oh C;mon u know you do it too. ha! :rockon:

I'll check in when i see what the actuall problem is, IF its any different.

 

[mattmo77]

Oh boy, my problem was the RF wheel was 5 ounces out of balance. The shop who put the tires on had 2 tires loaded with weights. IDK :wall:

 

[jbone2470]

I knew wheel bearings and sway bar links were common to fail on escapes.But didn't know tie rod ends were too.Just had my drivers side front outer tie rod end replaced.I didn't have any vibrations like others stated,but i did hear a loud clunk while going over pot holes or speed bumps..Fixed that and alignment total cost me $125.00USD....half hour labor plus alignment plus taxes and part..

Now it goes great over bumps and steering feels soo much tighter now... :yahoo: BUT>>>>

Now i go to start it one morning and rough as heck idling and driving.Got a couple codes so swapped out 2 coils an changed front 3 plugs and now it runs even worse.Got it in my mechanics shop waiting for diagnose from a professional instead of wasting my time and pulling out my hair to figure it out..Threw the towel in... :rant:
**UPDATE** I was right on knowing my number 6 coil was bad,But when i did the switching around i unplugged the whole harness and guess what? I PUT THE DAMN HARNESS ON BACKWARDS.. :doh: Number 6 plug was plugged into #4 coil,and #4plug was plugged into #6coil... :worry:

 

[Ohio08MT]

Oh boy, my problem was the RF wheel was 5 ounces out of balance. The shop who put the tires on had 2 tires loaded with weights. IDK :wall:

May have bent the rim. Had a similar issue on another car; rim was weighted to the max at the bend and still didn't roll right... had to replace it.