A newbie's vibrations (long)
 

I've been a lurker since I took delivery of my truck in February of this year.

Prior to my purchase, I had read of vibration problems and noticed that my truck exhibited the following :

1. a slight steering wheel nibble,
2. a slight vibration which intensified at around 55 MPH and peaked at 65 MPH,
3. a preceptible 'booming' which resonated at Interstate speeds,
4. a slight pull to the right.

I expressed these concerns to my dealer on the first (of many) test drives. He was honest in his response that Ford was experencing vibration problems with the new F150 design, and if I would buy this particular truck that he would sell it to me at invoice less the factory rebate. Also, he guaranteed that he would personally refund my purchase price plus state sales tax if his service department couldn't fix any vibration problems.

So, I bought the truck, and worked with the dealer towards fixing the truck's problems.

Two months ago, the vibration intensified to the point where the dealer had me bring in the truck for a Ford Regional Rep to analyze the problem. Using some fancy electronic gizmo, the Rep found that the vibration problems came from 1) a faulty steering rack, and 2) a faulty driveshaft. The Rep had the dealer order the parts since both the steering rack and the driveshaft were being re-manufactured with NEW parts numbers

Rack # 4L3Z 3504 AB
Driveshaft # 4L3Z 4R602 TB

Once installed, and with a fresh front end alignment and a road-force balance, the vibration disappeared, and my truck no longer pulls to the right.

Although perfectly happy with the truck (and I'm very picky with my vehicles) I do believe that the truck can (and will be) improved. The truck does exhibit a 'shudder', particularily from the rear, when crossing a bump at speed. I attribute this to being in an unloaded condition, which is how I mostly drive my truck. Adding a Versacover

http://www.versacover.com/

and pulling a 3000 load makes little or no difference

I am waiting for availability of the Hotchkis Performance kit

http://www.hotchkis.net/cgi-bin/EDCs...atalogno=80317

and will have the kit installed locally.

I am hoping that the kit and upgraded shocks will make the truck a smooth and great handling ride.

Comments?

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2004 F150 Lariat 4x2 built in Norfolk 12/03 Supercab, 3.55 LSD

Now that's good news!

I think FORD has found the major source of the driveline vibe to be driveshaft related. I'm sure that all the 2005's will have the new shaft.

BTW, was your old driveshaft one piece or two piece? What about the replacement one?

you'd think, but I am told that the new part # driveshaft is in short supply

and, unless I'm mistaken the driveshaft is one piece.

mine is 2 piece and going in to the shop this week for the vibe again! I only had step 1 done already.( Road force balance)

I'm going to contact my dealer but they told me NOT to bring it in again for the vibration problem as they considered it normal.

I'm currently waiting for the Ford Rep to bring that electronic gizmo to check mine out. They already replaced the complete rear end assembly that fixed the whine but the vibe is still there and is pretty pronounced:(