4R70W - Output Shaft Moves Side to Side?

[Kegenuts]

I have a driveline vibration that I've narrowed down to the output shaft/slip yoke. I eliminated the rest of the driveline as the problem by disconnecting the driveshaft and running the tranny with just the slip yoke installed. With the entire driveline disconnected except for the slip yoke, there is a vibration at 30-35 MPH and 60-65 MPH (exactly like the vibration when the truck is going down the road). At first, I thought it was due to a worn extension housing bushing because I could move the slip yoke side to side in the extension housing. I installed a new bushing, but the slip yoke still has about the same amount of side to side movement. While I had the extension housing removed, I noticed the tailshaft of the transmission also moves side to side which doesn't seem right. Does anyone know if side to side movement of the output shaft is normal or if there is a runout spec that I can compare to? Any help is greatly appreciated!

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[F150Europe]

Up and down play is normal I think, although it must be within specs.
Don't know how much that is.
I checked for play on the outputshaft on new trucks and they all have a certain amount of up and down play.
I still have play on the outputshaft after installing a new housing and bushing and slipyoke.

1999 5.4 automatic 2-wd

Driveshaft and Yoke

Outputshaft

Mechanic said play in the last video is normal.
Is it?

[Kegenuts]

F150 Europe: AWESOME post idea with the videos. If the videos are truly normal, then my output shaft/slip yoke side to side movement fits in the normal category.

I'm not sure what else to try on my truck to eliminate the vibration. I have considered installing a new slip yoke, thinking that it may be out of balance or the harmonic balancer on the yoke has something wrong with it. I also considered installing a hose clamp on the slip yoke end of the driveshaft to try and balance the assembly. Any other ideas?

You mention in your post that you replaced the housing, bushing and slip yoke, but didn't mention why you replaced them. Do you have a vibration similar to the vibration that I describe in my post?

[AjRagno]

Kegenuts,

These are the results of searching the transmission forum for topics on extention housing. This has been a problem and it's rarely resolved.

[Kegenuts]

AJRagno, Thanks for the search results. You're right it looks to be a common problem with little or no help from the Ford Dealers.

Although I haven't found the cause of my vibration, I did learn the following which may help others out...

Ford does not sell a replacement extension housing bushing for the 4R70W. Ford only sells the entire extension housing assembly for approximately $110. I located a company on the web that does sell replacement bushings. The website and bushing part number is listed below. The cost of the bushing is less than $3 from this website.

To replace the bushing, I removed the extension housing, pressed out the old bushing and pressed the new bushing in with a hydraulic press. It took me a little over two hours to complete the entire job.

If anyone decides to do this same procedure, don't forget to buy a new ext. housing gasket and slip yoke seal.

www.aceomatic.com
Extension Housing - 4R70W Bronze ( 1.600" ID ) - p/n 2532131

[F150Europe]

Kegenuts,

I don't know if the videos are truly normal.
I am no expert, it is only what I hear from people who say it is normal.
If it's not, I like to hear from the experts here.

Hard to tell if we have the same vibration, it's hard to describe a problem you are having.

Started with the rear ujoint, then the front ujoint.
Problem came back.
Changed the housing and bushing because of the play.
Didn't help.
Driveshaft balanced, was better for a while but vibration came back.
Checked tires and rims (balanced) also tried new tires.
No luck.
New Konis installed.
No luck
Seemed my tranny was focked up after a flushing, so they told me.
Tranny rebuilt and a new bushing in the housing.
Problem still there and outputshaft is slightly leaking.
Totally new driveshaft including u-joints and slipyoke.
Still there
No errorcodes found.
You can feel vibration real good at 58 km per hour (40 MPH)
It's just not running smooth.It feels like it is choppy.
Especially under load with a trailer behind the truck.

If you only knew how much money I spent to get rid of this f......, irritating problem.



Has your problem gone now?

[Kegenuts]

F150 Europe,

To answer your question...No, my truck still has the vibration. I fully understand your frustration. The vibration is very annoying, especially since you have spent so much money trying to fix it.

My next steps are...
1. Try field balancing the driveshaft by installing a hose clamp on the slip yoke end of the driveshaft. If that doesn't work...
2. Have the driveshaft balanced by a driveline shop. If that doesn't work...
3. Drive it with the vibration until something breaks or it causes me to go insane, whichever occurs first!