1995 Astro Conversion Front End Shake

Hello, I have a 1995 Majestic Astro conversion van. About a year ago I noticed that the front end was shaking quite badly. This seemed to happen when driving on regular roads and while on freeways. At that time I replaced all of the following:

1. 4 New tires
2. All new steering linkages, tie rods, etc...
3. Front end alignment
4. Front wheel bearings
5. New front brakes, fluid, and bled

After I had completed everything, it seemed to smooth out for the most part. About a month later I found out I had tightened the wheel bearings in too tight, and I ended up having to have a mechanic replace them. He also replaced the front passenger axle, since the bearing had welded itself onto the shaft! When it was all done, while it wasn't 100% shake free, it was close to 98%. It had very minor vibrations while on the freeway, but not enough to worry about. I drove it this way for about 4 months and then I parked it for about 6 months to save on gas.

Fast forward to now. A few weeks ago I started driving it daily again. It seems that the shake is back, and almost as bad as it was before all of the repairs were done. It appears to start acting up as I get up to about 60+ mph. The faster I go, the worse it gets. At slower speeds, it seems to be ok. I usually drive at about 65mph with the cruise set. The shaking comes and goes, and happens on smooth and rough roads. When it does shake, the steering wheel is also vibrating with it, so I assume it’s a problem in the front end. At times, it almost feels like the van is floating. I have made sure the tires are all still good and that I have the correct tire pressure. I have also climbed underneath and verified all the steering components are tight, and I re-lubed them as well.

Does anyone have any other suggestions as to what I can try next? I am at a loss! Thanks so much!

Especially since it sat for a while, have you had the tires balanced since you've started driving it again?

Especially since it sat for a while, have you had the tires balanced since you've started driving it again?

I actually just ran to the tire store and had them balanced and rotated, and while it did help, it is far from right. They mentioned at the tire store it could be the idler arms? Is this possible? If so, how hard are they to change out?

I actually just ran to the tire store and had them balanced and rotated, and while it did help, it is far from right. They mentioned at the tire store it could be the idler arms? Is this possible? If so, how hard are they to change out?

Yep, totally possible. Idler arms aren't too bad. You need a press of some sort to get 'em detached from the arm (pitman arm, I think), but we used 2 c-clamps with a piece of angle iron on our Bravada. Worked fine.

Ok, because I couldn't remember what the idler arms actually were, I went and looked them up at Auto Zone's website. These were both replaced with the rest of the steering parts less than a year ago. Is it possible they could have gone bad that fast? Considering it sat there for 6 months? Could they have just have been bad from the start? Thanks!

Ok, updated situation. I got home last night and jacked my van up to check out the idler arms. Apparently one of the bolts came out of the sleeve between the tie rod ends on the passenger side, this explained the tire movement. I replace it and everything seems stiff under there now. I still feel vibrations, but now it feels like it's coming from the back of the van more than the front. What is the likelihood that the tires that got rotated back there are bad? They were just installed last October and only have about 6months of use on them. Also, would bad shocks be part of the problem? I checked them out, and all 4 feel like they need replacing. Thanks!

Ok, updated situation. I got home last night and jacked my van up to check out the idler arms. Apparently one of the bolts came out of the sleeve between the tie rod ends on the passenger side, this explained the tire movement. I replace it and everything seems stiff under there now. I still feel vibrations, but now it feels like it's coming from the back of the van more than the front. What is the likelihood that the tires that got rotated back there are bad? They were just installed last October and only have about 6months of use on them. Also, would bad shocks be part of the problem? I checked them out, and all 4 feel like they need replacing. Thanks!

And the tire shop guys couldn't see this??

Likelihood is good, but you should be able to see if one of them is bad. Jack up the back, rotate the tire slowly while looking and feeling the tread. Any cupping or scrubbing from the tie rod adjuster being loose could cause the vibration.

And yes, bad shocks can/will cause a vibration.

You seemed to hit everything, but I did not see anything about U-Joints? Did you check them? If they are OK, check your rear diff oil for any particles in the oil. Before changing a whole bunch of parts, we often overlook the small easy things.