Wobbly Back Wheel?

Benz510

Active Member
Feb 19, 2016
171
70
38
Oakland California
Hey stangnet.

Been a while since I've asked for help. I've been told a couple of times that it looks like my back wheel on pass side seems wobbly while driving. Everything as far as lugs are torqued down. What should i check for? Bent axle?

Thanks
 
Possible bad bearing, or bad shock absorber or wheel out of balance.

Get out you floor jack, jackstands (a must have item!!) and chock the front wheels with a 4x4 or suitable wheel chocks..

Bearing problems:
Put the rear axle up on jackstands and see if you can shake the wheels up and down, fore and aft. Any difference between one side and the other is probably a worn bearing on the side with the most movement.

Axle problems:
While you have the rear axle up on jackstands, put the trans in 4th or 5th gear with the engine running at idle, or 30 MPH if you have working cruse control. Watch the wheels for wobble or excessive motion, that is a sign of a bent axle

Shock absorber problems.
II you didn't see or feel any wobble, then the rear shock absorber on that side may be bad Try bouncing each corner of the car up and down by pushing down on the fender or bumper vigorously. If it keeps moving after you stop pushing, the shock absorber is bad.

Wheel out of balance:
If you got this far and didn't find anything then, the wheel is probably out of balance.
 
Last edited:
Possible bad bearing, or bad shock absorber or wheel out of balance.

Get out you floor jack, jackstands (a must have item!!) and chock the front wheels with a 4x4 or suitable wheel chocks..

Bearing problems:
Put the rear axle up on jackstands and see if you can shake the wheels up and down, fore and aft. Any difference between one side and the other is probably a worn bearing on the side with the most movement.

Axle problems:
While you have the rear axle up on jackstands, put the trans in 4th or 5th gear with the engine running at idle, or 30 MPH if you have working cruse control. Watch the wheels for wobble or excessive motion, that is a sign of a bent axle

Shock absorber problems.
II you didn't see or feel any wobble, then the rear shock absorber on that side may be bad Try bouncing each corner of the car up and down by pushing down on the fender or bumper vigorously. If it keeps moving after you stop pushing, the shock absorber is bad.

Wheel out of balance:
If you got this far and didn't find anything then, the wheel is probably out of balance.
Thank you sir. I will try and check this weekend.
 
Figured out it has a bent axle. They did a 5 lug drum conversion on the vehicle. What year aerostar or ranger axle do i need to buy?

Thanks in advance everyone,
Ben


‘83 to ‘92 4 banger or 3.0L V6 Ranger/Bronco II with a 7.5″ rear end driver's side axle. It should measure 29-5/32″.

'86 to 97 Aerostar passenger side axles

It should measure 29-5/32″.
 
Screenshot_20160919-113733.webp
does the circled areas seem about right. The measurements seem to be in a different format on all the ones I've checked so far.
 
Another thing. My pops is telling me to go ahead and change the bearing also. I don't see why if it's not causing the problem but in case i do it should be the regular stock bearing correct?


Yeah. Stock bearings. And I agree with him. It's cheap, and you have the axle out already


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