Could track rod ends cause really bad vibrations?

[DL-C]

I've recently had massive problems with my car since I had the wheels re-furbed. Thought it must be balancing/ tyres etc but had the balancing done and none of the wheel/tyre garages I have been to can see anything wrong with the wheels!
A mechanic at ATS told me today the track rod ends need replacing! Could this cause really bad wheel wobble at around 40mph and the whole car to shake violently at 50+?
The cars a 52 plate Focus ST170 with 70k on clock!
Thanks in advance.

[Huntsman]

Track rod ends are pretty cheap, get a set fitted and tracking checked and see if it goes away, they need doign anyway. Eliminate the known faults first, especially if its cheapish ones.

[chunkol]

Why don't you jack up one front wheel and then see if you can move it while holding it at 3 and 9 o'clock. That is left and right for those of us with digital watches. If there is a slight feel of movement, then yes your trackrod ends may be worn. Do this with the other side as well.

[DL-C]

Yes, good point, will get it done anyway. I'm lost as to what else it could be!
There is some movement in the wheels when it was on the ramp with hands at 9 and 3 and also 12 and 6!

[chunkol]

DL-C said:

Yes, good point, will get it done anyway. I'm lost as to what else it could be!
There is some movement in the wheels when it was on the ramp with hands at 9 and 3 and also 12 and 6!

12 and 6 usually means the swing arm/control arm and or bottom end ball joint needs looking at.

[Ricky_M]

Not entirely sure if this would cause vibrations, but the MK1 Focus has an appetite for wheel bearings.

Been through a few sets on the two I've owned.

My current one has a buckled rear wheel and the whole car wobbles at speed.

[DL-C]

The car drove fine before having the wheels re-furbed and all they did was put the car on a lift and take the wheels off. Since the re-furb the wobble has started! Tried swapping the wheels etc and hasn't made any difference.
Would balancing not sort out buckled wheels? They all looked fine and balanced ok?!

[chunkol]

Hang on - just noticed the speeds you are having problems at. Worn trackrod ends, bushes, unbalanced wheels etc. usually show up at about 60+ mph in my limited experience.
Are the wheels on straight and tight? I really would check the torque on the wheel nuts, and check they are on true. Spin them around with the car on the jack and see if the tread goes side to side in a wobble.

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

Jack up each wheel and give it a good spin with your hand - Can you see any wobble as the wheel spins round?

To be honest - it sounds like one of the wheels isn't seated on the hub squarely.
A worn track rod won't cause the wheel(s) to vibrate - you'll just get a knocking noise when moving the steering wheel.

The people at ATS are not a proper mechanics - they're tyre fitters. Just bear that in mind.

[shalmaneser]

DL-C said:

Yes, good point, will get it done anyway. I'm lost as to what else it could be!
There is some movement in the wheels when it was on the ramp with hands at 9 and 3 and also 12 and 6!

The wheel wobbles when you shake it?

This is bad news, lower ball joint I reckon. You should be able to see/feel where the play is coming from.

[thetrash]

Try swapping the the wheels around and see if this makes a difference, keeping the each wheel on the correct side of the car just front to back and vice versa.
I've had to replace worn track rod ends and they've never caused a vibration. Unbalanced wheels or wheel bearings would be my guess.

[*Al*]

Have the wheels been properly balanced since the refurb? Have them rebalanced elsewhere, i can't see how driving fine before then you having a big problem afterwards.

[DL-C]

*Al* said:

Have the wheels been properly balanced since the refurb? Have them rebalanced elsewhere, i can't see how driving fine before then you having a big problem afterwards.

Would un balanced wheels make the car shake so violently your wrists hurt on the wheel? The wheels were balanced twice so I'd doubt they'd be so much out!
Taking the car to a mates garage on tuesday to get the track rod ends done. I'm thinking of asking him to put it on the lift to again check all the wheels and tyres. Then taking the front wheels off and accelerating to the problem speeds and see if the wobble occurs with no wheels on!

[shalmaneser]

shalmaneser said:

The wheel wobbles when you shake it?

This is bad news, lower ball joint I reckon. You should be able to see/feel where the play is coming from.

This, damnit! If the wheel is wobbling something it wrong! never mind balancing issues.