I had a "shudder" resonating through my entire 2004 FX-4 truck every morning whenever I accelerated from a dead stop while turning at the same time. After the truck warmed up, the "shudder" would almost completely disappear.
While checking out many of the threads on the Forums, I found quite a few '04 owners had the same problem. Needless to say, I was amazed! Many of those same threads kept refering to the "clutches" in the limited slip rearend.
(I have the 3.73 limited slip differential)
I took my truck to the dealer and told him to keep it for a few days and every morning to take it out and test it under the same conditions as I previously described.
I told him about this forum and how I was convinced that it was most likely the clutches in the rearend. He chuckled and said he hadn't heard anything from Ford about the problem. I told him to fix it anyway!!!
He gave me a "loaner car" and several days later, he called to tell me the truck was ready.
He said: "Ray, I have to confess... I thought you were kidding me about those clutches being bad in the rearend. But each morning my mechanic and I would test drive it and sure as **** you were right... It did shudder when cold. So I got on the phone with a Rep from Ford and I explained about the Forum you referred to. Ford told us to go ahead and replace the clutches. And then we tested it again and found the "shudder" completely disappeared".
My receipt shows that the dealership did indeed remove the clutches. But listen to this... It also says on the receipt that they replaced with "UPDATED" clutches!!!
I have test drove the truck myself several times now, and am convinced it's properly corrected. It now drives "smooth as silk".
I would advise anyone with the "shuddering" problem to have their dealership perform this "fix" attempt first.

My Dealership is: ED MULLINAX on RT 58, in Amherst, Ohio.
My Service Manager's name is: Jay Thoman

If your dealer has questions, tell him to contact Jay.

As ever, Ray
(LuciferRay)

 

whats your build date ?

 

I have no idea how to find the build date.
However the vin is: 1FTPX14574NA33074

 

Your build date is shown on the inside of your drivers door. Should have a date printed on it along with some other info.

 

Thanks TeckBargins, I will check it out right now.

By the way Zacky, I saw a different thread the other day where you suggested to someone that if they wanted to disarm the auto-lock feature they should use the keyless pad method. I tried your advice and it worked perfectly. I was knocking myself out trying to do it per the owner's manual from inside the truck!!

As ever, Ray

 

OK Zacky, the date I found on the sticker inside the driver's door says "09/03". So I assume September of 2003.

Now, if I may ask, why did you request the build date? Is it possible there was a problem during that period? Please fill me in if you have any info...

As ever... Ray

 

I've got the shudder.... will be contacting dealer soon.

 

Interesting post.

I've got the shudder also. Time to give the dealer a call!

Do you have the 3.73 limited slip by chance?

 

Would you be able to call and get a part # for this updated clutch? Also is their a Technical Bulliten related to this?

 

HAHA thats awesome! My build date was also 09/03!
But mines a lariat supercab, and only a 4x2...


I have to take mine in to fix the temp gauge though... but there is a known fix for that!

 

09/03 here also.

Mine was the 4,588th truck built after yours according to the VIN #'s.

 

Got the shudder Today I have the 04 Scab with 3:55
rear end and a build date of 09/03.

 

this thread caught my eye because i have a shudder of another kind. mine occurs at higher speed acceleration, like with a highway merge. i also experience a "weight shift" when i accelerate from a start. none of this is related to temperature as far as i can tell. any thoughts? i have an fx4 scab, 11/03 build date, 3.73 rear.

 

I think this "weight shift" is what we (I at least) are referring to as the shudder.

Mine doesn't seem to be related to temperature either, as we have had cold and warm days since I bought it.

Its subtle, but its there.

I have not experienced anything like it on highway merging though - only acclerating from a stop.

One thing I should note: I am noticing it less and less as I get miles on, FWTW.

 

What I am referring to as shudder feels like if you ever drove a
older mid 70's car and spun the tires really hard and you
would wheel hop the tires. I have not had a "the shudder"
under anything other than when I am at a stop and start to pull away. Like others the temp was no factor as I live in Wisconsin
and have had a variety of temps in the last two weeks. I no the tires are not spinning (to lose traction) when I experience the "shudder" in my truck as I dont accelerate hard when it happens.