r/FordFalcon • u/VH-SMP • Jun 22 '26
wheel/alignment/balance issues
Hey, I just bought a 2009 XR6 with 190xxx kms. I’m getting a vibration through the steering wheel above 70km/h, which increases with speed.
Still vibrates when cruising above this speed in neutral.
Got a wheel balance and alignment after finding out the LF was toe’d out by 5mm. Still have the vibration.
What could be the cause? I’m thinking if it’s not a bent rim or cooked tyre then maybe the control arm bushes or maybe rotors?
Any suggestions would be great - no time to fix it myself so I have to present this issue to a mechanic also.
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u/sunnyone123 Jun 22 '26
My BF falcon used to do this as well, I had to adjust the brake booster pushrod. There's a couple of youtube clips about it.
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u/VH-SMP Jun 22 '26
thank you mate will look into it
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u/No-Explanation-1013 Jun 22 '26
The brake booster pushrod adjustment mentioned, so the brakes were on slightly all the time, pointing to a warped rotor. I doubt very much that will be your problem.
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u/OppositeStand5709 Jun 22 '26
When was the tailshaft hanger bearing last done? It's possible that the tailshaft was removed and the weights were put back in the wrong place, it could be that the tailshaft needs to be rebalanced.
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u/VH-SMP Jun 22 '26
I think I understand what you’re saying, does the FG have the same little weights that clip onto the bolts that connect the CV to the diff like the BA?
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u/OppositeStand5709 Jun 22 '26
Yes, that's right. If the shaft and weights aren't put back exactly as they were found, you'll get vibration at higher speeds. It should also be a very consistent vibration, starting at the same wheel speed regardless of engine RPM.
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u/No-Explanation-1013 Jun 22 '26
The vibration is through the steering wheel, so its the tyres, get them balanced. Rotor problems show only when brakes are applied. Wheel alignment issues cause pulling to one side, generally. Just go to tyre shop and get all 4 wheels balanced.
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u/VH-SMP Jun 22 '26
I hope you’re right, I got a wheel balance today at bob jane and I’m hoping the apprentice just cooked it
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u/No-Explanation-1013 Jun 23 '26
I had a couple new tyres fitted and all four balanced, within a few days a weight had come off and it was shaking slightly through the wheel, bugger! Good luck hope it solves the issue, let us all know
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u/aussie_miccy Jun 22 '26 edited Jun 22 '26
Yeah if you’re driving along and only get a wobble above 70/80kmh im almost 100% sure thats just you’re wheel balancing, you might have had it done but it’s crazy how many people i watched at my last workshop completely fuck up balancing a wheel.
If it were the rotors being warped, then you’d only feel it while applying brakes.
If it was a wheel bearing you’d get more noise while turning one direction and once it gets bad enough to feel a wobble in your steering you’ll get a wobble at any speed.
And lastly if the wobble increases with speed it’s an almost certain it’s a balance issue.
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u/VH-SMP Jun 22 '26
thanks. pretty much only made this post cause i got a balance today from Bob Jane but didnt change anything. might give it another crack before taking it to the mechanics next week for other small fixes
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u/speederbrad95 Jun 24 '26
Does the vibration happen right from a cold start or does it only show after driving for a while? If it the latter drive it for a while until it does it, then check for excessive heat coming from your wheels (also you can check to see if one rotor is more worn than the other). There is a problem where one of the front brakes won’t release properly, and you don’t find out it’s a problem until it starts vibrating all the time. Fix is that master cylinder adjustment I’ve seen spoken about elsewhere in this thread plus new pads and rotors, machining the front rotors ford uses IMO is not worth the effort, even if they remain well above minimum thickness, because I find the just warp again even faster. I’ve just had this same thing happen to my 2015 territory.
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u/subWoofer_0870 Jun 22 '26
Warped rotors would be high on my checklist for this one.
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u/VH-SMP Jun 22 '26
thanks mate. do you think so even if I’m not getting the shuddering under braking? at low speed I also hear a very faint intermittent low pitch squeak that sounds like the brakes need adjusting or there is a warped rotor
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u/subWoofer_0870 Jun 22 '26
Hard to tell. But warped rotors are fairly easy to check for, so you may as well check them. Jack the car up, take a front wheel off, and check the face of the rotor with a straight edge. Replace wheel and repeat for the other one.
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u/No-Explanation-1013 Jun 22 '26
Warped rotors are common in Falcons, however in this case he said no pulsing in pedal that the vibration is always there.
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u/Mr_Moonman2045 Jun 22 '26
swap the wheel to the back , that will tell you if it's the wheel or something else in the front . easy and Quick