Tires/Wheels - Vibration From 55 - 70 MPH
TSB 05-14-607/25/05
STEERING WHEEL AND/OR VEHICLE VIBRATION -
VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR INTEGRITY
16 INCH TIRES ONLY
FORD:
2004-2005 Freestar
MERCURY:
2004-2005 Monterey
This article supersedes TSB 05-09-20 to update the replacement tire part numbers.
ISSUE
Some 2004-2005 Freestar/Monterey vehicles equipped with Goodyear Integrity P235/60R16 tires may exhibit a steering wheel and/or vehicle vibration. The condition will occur at speeds between 55-70 MPH (88-112 Km/h).
ACTION
It may be necessary to replace all four (4) tires.
Refer to the following Service Procedure.
SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTE
THE PROCEDURE IN THIS TSB IS FAR MORE EFFECTIVE WHEN USING ROAD FORCE MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT. THERE IS A WEBSITE AVAILABLE (WWW.GSP9700.COM) TO LOCATE THE NEAREST FACILITY THAT HAS THIS TYPE OF EQUIPMENT.
NOTE
THE 20 MILE (33 KM) VIBRATION EVALUATION MUST BE PERFORMED TO REMOVE TIRE FLAT SPOTS, IF NOT, THE TIRE BALANCE AND ROAD FORCE MEASUREMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCURATE.
1. Set tire air pressure to 35 psi for all tires.
2. Drive the vehicle at highway speeds for 20 miles (32 km) to evaluate the vibration and eliminate flat spotting. If the vibration is eliminated during the drive, the concern is due to the tire flat spotting. This is a normal tire condition and no further diagnosis or repairs should be performed.
a. If vibration still exits, and Hunter GSP9700/9712 or equivalent equipment is available, proceed to Step 3.
b. If vibration still exits, and Hunter GSP9700/9712 or equivalent equipment IS NOT available, proceed to Step 5.
3. Using the Hunter GSP9700/9712 or equivalent, perform the following immediately after driving the vehicle:
a. Remove the wheel cover and wheel assembly.
b. Measure the road force variation on all four (4) tires.
(1) If tire/wheel assemblies measure less than 25 lbs for R1H, balance as required and install the lowest R1H level tires on the front of the vehicle and road test. If vibration is fixed, no further diagnosis or repairs should be performed.
(2) If vibration still exists, or if any tire/wheel assembly measures more than 25 lbs for R1H, proceed to Step 4.
4. Mark the tire/wheel HIGH road force point (R1H), using the Hunter equipment.
a. Determine the low point of the wheel run out. For aluminum wheels the low point will be at the valve stem. For steel wheels the low point will be marked with a yellow sticker.
NOTE
IF THERE IS NO YELLOW STICKER, MOUNT THE WHEEL BY ITSELF ON THE HUNTER MACHINE AND MARK THE WHEEL LOW POINT, WHICH WILL BE 180 DEGREES APART FROM THE HIGH POINT.
b. Match and align the high point on the tire with the low point on the wheel by rotating the tire versus the wheel.
c. Apply a liberal amount of soap around both sides of the tire bead to ensure good bead seating to the wheel rim.
d. Balance the tire/wheel assembly after match mounting.
e. Re-measure the road force for the tire/wheel assembly.
f. Install the lowest R1H level tires on the front of the vehicle and road test. If vibration is fixed, no further diagnosis or repairs should be performed. If vibration still exists then proceed to Step g.
g. Replace all four (4) tires with Uniroyal(R) Tiger Paw Part # 9004-74878, construction code: 15107A. Record the original and replacement tire DOT code (must be 10-12 digits) on the warranty claim.
5. Only perform the following steps if a Hunter GSP970019712 or equivalent equipment IS NOT available:
a. Use a dial indicator to check the radial runout of the tire/wheel assemblies.
(1) If this measurement exceeds .040" (1.02 mm), proceed to Step 5b.
(2) If this measurement is less than .040" (1.02 mm), proceed to Step 5c.
b. Use the dial indicator to identify the high and low point of the tire and wheel centerline radial runout, then match the tire high point to the wheel low point.
c. Use a standard balancer to balance the tire/wheel assemblies and road test. If vibration is fixed, no further diagnosis or repairs should be performed. If vibration is not resolved proceed to Step d.
d. Replace all four (4) tires with Uniroyal(R) Tiger Paw Part # 9004-74878, construction code: 15107A. Record the original and replacement tire DOT code (must be 10-12 digits) on the warranty claim.
NOTE
WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR TIRE VIBRATION ISSUES IS LIMITED TO 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES, WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST.
WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under Provisions Of New Vehicle Limited Warranty Coverage
OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
051406A 2004-2005 0.8 Hr.
Freestar/Monterey 20 Mile
(33Km) Vibration
Evaluation, If Concern Is
Resolved, Return To
Customer
051406B 2004-2005 1.6 Hrs.
Freestar/Monterey 20 Mile
(33Km) Vibration
Evaluation, Balance 4
Tires, Re-Evaluate
051406C 2004-2005 2.9 Hrs.
Freestar/Monterey 20 Mile
(33Km) Vibration
Evaluation, Balance 4
Tires, Re-Index 4 Tires,
Re-Balance, Re-Evaluate
051406D 2004-2005 4.0 Hrs.
Freestar/Monterey 20 Mile
(33Km) Vibration
Evaluation, Balance 4
Tires, Re-Index 4 Tires,
Road Test, Re-Balance 4
Tires, Find Low Point On
Wheel, Replace 4 Tires,
Re-Evaluate: (Do Not Use
Any Of The Labor
Operations In The TSB
With 1007D, 1007AT,
1007AF, 1007AFT,
1007AB, 1007ABT,
1007D2A, 1007D2B,
1007AD2C, 1007AD2T,
1007D3T, 1007D3F,
1007D3FT, 1007D3B,
1007D3BT)
DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
(OPERATION A) NPF 82 (NPF)
(OPERATION B, C) ALBAL D9 (ALBAL)
(OPERATION D) TIRE 13 (TIRE)
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