You won't believe this. My dealer called the other day to inform me that there is no "new driveshaft" and that the Ford Engineer is coming to the dealership on the 15th to work on my truck. They want my truck for several days and supposidly they are bringing some high tech vibration machine that measures drive line vibration, something that the dealer doesn't have.

Also the drive shaft part numbers that were posted here are for a two wheel drive F-150. I had the dealer verify the part numbers. Is anyone hearing that there is a "newly designed" driveshaft?

Also a new noise is being heard from the rear. I'm now hearing some kind of short "howl" when I accelerate and then immediatly let off the gas pedal. It happens on a regular basis. Anybody know what this "howling" noise is and where it's coming from?

Ron

 

Sounds like now you have the dreaded rear end whine. Ford changed my ring and pinoin gears, but it stills does it a 61mph 71mph 39mpg. Now dealer said ford has no fix yet. Was told to get my truck and just wait 1 to 2 months bull*****.

 

got a road force balance done, supposed to be the most hi tech they have. They did something called a dynamic balance, vs a static balbance which every tire sho can do. smoothed it out, but still have a slight vibration, not as noticeable. They blamed it on the larger tire and rim combination. I don't think that they would try to blame it on Ford. starting to get fed up, and let them deal with it later.

 

Crap. So I'm driving this weekend and start to hear this whine a little. Now on the way home from work tonight, I hear it when I'm on the gas, and gone when I let off again. Same thing about 40-50mph, sort of like a low toned growl. Sigh. Think I'm making phone calls tomorrow.

After I got my truck, I called the dealer I purchased from and was told by the sales manager they'd be happy to trade me for another truck, but I'd be responsible for sales tax, registration and all that again. What kinda frickin help is that?

Think tomorrow I'm calling: 1. Another local dealer to get some service scheduled. 2. Ford customer service. 3. The dealer I bought from.

I'm gonna ask about that part number they installed on my truck for the driveshaft as well and see what they say.

I'm sorry to say, the patience police are here. And they're not happy.

 

If you read my posts before on this thread you will know that I went through all the steps (somtimes twice) of the TSB and this my third official visit on the 15th. If they don't fix this it this time around I'm going to be thinking about the lemon law.

I still have the vibration after a Ford Engineer worked on my truck and now have a low tone "growl". A Ford Engineer will once again attempt to address the vibration issue with some high tech vibration test equipment.

Ron

 

Ron,

Is that called the EVA, Electronic Vibration Analysis or is it even more high tech analysis.

Wish you succes, I have been reading about the problems you are having. That shouldn't be.
I can understand how you must feel.

Hope everything will work out for you and the other guys having problems with this new model.

Succes.

 

On this the first anniversary of my taking delivery of a new 2004 XLT regular cab SWB with 5.4L and 3.55 LS, built in Aug 2003 at Norfolk, I have joined this group and do submit the following:

I first returned the truck to the dealer at 300 miles due to a hand-numbing vibration in steering wheel at 45 - 55 mph. It is felt each and every time the truck is driven, with power application as in slight up hill or on level grade. It is a rotational vibration at engine/drive train frequency -- not wheel balance, nor nibbling, nor alignment/tire cupping -- only felt in the steering wheel. After driving for an hour, ones hands feel tingly, as if a gasoline powered weed trimmer had been operated.

After the 8th+ return (3 dealers) and after wheel/tire checks, vibration TSBs performed, modified steering gear replacement (prior installation), complete transmission replacement, drive shaft clocking and computer update, the hand-numbing vibration is still present in the steering wheel from torque converter lockup (45 mph) to 55 mph. All 5 of one dealer's similar SWB F-150s vibrated (according to the dealer’s service dept).

Currently, at 7500 miles, the zone "engineer" has decreed to the above dealers that the vibration is "characteristic of the 2004 F-150" and that no further corrective action is required. Good luck and good riddance, customer.

All completed Georgia "lemon law" exchange or buy back forms with the required documentation and procedures were sent to Customer Relations in Jan 2004. Customer Relations forwarded all material to the Regional Customer Service, where it has resided with “the board” (or the trash can therein) since.

Apparently Ford has adopted a policy of "ignore the customer and he will go away". Judging from Ford's market share decrease and recent negative sales growth data, this policy is working! After having bought 14 new Fords since 1964, including 5 new F-100/F-150s, I realize that problems do occur, but Ford should own up to this problem and not just thumb their noses at the customer. I feel they know the root cause of this vibration but it would be too expensive to resolve.

I have been a "looker" on this forum for a year, and then I begin to see some “denial” of the problem by some who don’t have the problem, including the use of flawed statistical analysis to derive the percentage of vibrating trucks by comparing the number posts of owners with trucks with the problem to the number registered members and even of trucks built. I have seen also suggestions that these owners cannot identify abnormal vibrations from normal pickup truck behavior. What rubbish! So, I was compelled to register and add my two cents worth in this first post.

There, that feels better.

This is a great forum -- very informative -- keep it up!

Bill

 

TritonShadow
I'm waiting for my official letter in the mail this week from the Dispute Settlement Board that will make Ford buy back my truck. In Georgia you must first use the DSB before the state lemon law. Contact your dealer for the DSB package and make sure they give you a Georgia Lemon Law waver form. You must send it with your application and all case information to the DSB. The DSB has a meeting every first Wednesday of the month in Atlanta. If you loose your case with the DSB then you can go to the GA Lemon Law. Ford's FSE said my driveline vibration was normal feature of the truck but the DSB's independent engineering disagreed and sided with me. It may take a few months to go though the process of the DSB but maybe it will be worth all the trouble.

 

Have an appointment tomorrow for the rear end whine and vibration issue at service location 2.

Called the ford customer service line and the rep called back stating the original service dept is calling the FSE. We'll see what happens. I think if the dude tells me it's a "characteristic" I'll ask why they all don't do it. Then, I'll lose my mind.

This is pretty sad. For $40K you'd think I'd have bought something better. I'm depressed. Why won't they just fix the thing?

 

I just can't see how they can say it is a characteristic of the truck...

I had a vibe and the service manager agreed it wasn't normal..

After they went through TSB 04-3-3, I got a new drive shaft and the vibration hasn't returned.... 5 months now.
There is no vibration at all.

Good luck....

 

I have not had any problems with my 04 F150, besides all of the windows leak water and they are telling me it is because i take it though a car wash.

 

Another update. Ford Engineer worked on my truck for the second time around. They adjusted the flange where the driveshaft connected to the rear end until the vibration was gone. Supposidly they fixed the vibration in the truck. I'm picking the truck up today and will report back.

Ron

 

I hope it fixes it. Are they basically shimming the driveshaft, or is what they did different from shimming the driveshaft? I have the same vibration you have. Can't wait for you report.

 

Just what is normal??? If you drive a truck on the lot, that should be close to normal, but saying normal by a FSE is a judgement call.

In my case, the dealer agrees and says major vibration problems, the FSE says "slight" vibration problems and that it may just be customer sensitivity to this type of vehicle... BULL****...

This morning I picked up my service manager for a little ride. Shudder on accel, vibration all the time THUMP... THUMP... THUMP... and when you take it up to highway speeds and let off, it rumbles through the truck...

Now I have the service manager calling the FSE to find out why he changed his story. When I talked to the service manager about it, he said his FSE listens to him and he agreed it wasn't right, and that he has seen Ford buy back trucks for less that I have dealt with...

Well Tuesday, September 28, 2004 is my hearing before the DSB. I am going 1 1/2 hours away to do this in person and the information they have doesn't match the real story. I feel I am getting ****Ed here!?! It also says I took it in 2 times for a vibration issue...

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!

 

For those of you who haven't see my story yet, I still have various issues...

1. shudder on accel.
2. clunk sometimes when you are at highway speeds and get off the gas all the way, wait and then get back on it.
3. a steady vibe allthe time
4. RF tire belts seperating?
5. all 4 rims and center caps scratched from 3 careless balancings
6. the hood is orange peeled and needs to be rebainted with the front fenders (to match)
7. tailgate straps are off (actually its the right side hole is drilled wrong)
8. the steering wheel nibble is really bad.

Previously I had the AC serviced twice, 5 scratched trim pieces replaced, 5 new tires, 3 balances, road force balance, new driveshaft.