Well today I received my answer from the Dispute Settlement Board reference to my vibration problem on my 2004 F-150 SCAB.

They said after careful consideration, they determined that the vibration concern is a normal characteristic of this type of vehicle. Therefore, the Board concluded no further action was necessary and the request for vehicle replacement or refund is denied.

They said I did not provide any compelling evidence. I did have work orders from my dealer stating that there was a vibration felt between 45-50 MPH, and that they could not find a cause or solution for the problem. The Ford Represenative advised my dealer that his was a normal characteristic of the vehicle. I advised him and the Broad that if this were the case, I would never have purchased the vehicle. And, not to mention my salesmen did not mention that it had a vibration problem between 45-50 MPH

Well, I guess it's time to pay a visit to the Chevy or Toyota Dealerships to see what they will offer me or this moving vibrator. I have been dealing with this since last December. I have had enough.

 

Chevy or Toyota will probably give you a decent trade in, but you’ll still lose quite a bit of $$$. The important thing is to get something you’re happy with.

 

IMO, An '04 F150 with a vibe is still better than any of the competition.

 

wayne, Where in NH are you? I'm from Salem and would like to compare trucks if we are close enough. Mine seems to have a strange vibration in the rear but I think it is a surface thing.

 

"They said after careful consideration, they determined that the vibration concern is a normal characteristic of this type of vehicle"

Yeah right...It's not a normal characteristic. I would ask them as to why none of the other trucks including Dodge, Chevy, and Toyota doesn't have this problem. Another thing, why do they have a TSB to address the vibration issue if it's a "normal characteristic" of the truck?

Ron

 

Wayne. . . . I think that is a crock! If every 150 they built had the vibration, maybe that would be considered normal. . . but given that only a percentage of us have this problem, its considered a problem. I'd fight it more before going to the other brands.

 

The saga continues. Took mine back in this morning and informed them that I now have a constant vibration that is new since the driveshaft was changed. Management got involved and they sent the tech who has been working on mine out with me for a ride. He agreed that I now can "feel the road" all the time. Acts like a tire problem but I doubt it is. He also showed me where that dampner is installed on the frame. That thing weighs nearly 70 or 80 lbs. according to him. So I go back in the morning and drop it off and the "rep" is to drive it. Bottom line is it ain't fixed yet and I don't think they know where to look next. The tech did tell me that there is definitely a problem and they know it. I guess I will know more later in the day tomorrow. Not holding my breath though.

 

My dealer installed a new rearend and axle assembley yesterday. It definitely helped. I could only get it to vibrate slightly going up hills not in overdrive, between 58-63 mph, before it would do it on level road between 58-63 mph. I might see about getting my pinion angle looked at like others have done on the board. Others have said the had the angle adjusted from 3 to 1. So far the rearend has helped.

 

Well I am still waiting on my new driveshaft. I don't think they know exactly where to look either. They have a general idea because every time they work on something or change a part in my truck it changes the vibration. I have had a vibration from minor to having my kids sit in the seat next to me making bouncing noises because it was so bad. The vibration I have at this time is not the worst but it is not the best either. Maybe the parts will come in this week.................

 

Mine vibrates after everything on the TSB has been completed including a new rear end replacement. The vibration is real apparent at 55 MPH. I have elected not to take it back to the dealership until Ford has a real fix for this issue. Ford doesn't have a fix for this issue, so they are just recommending replacing parts in hopes of resolving the issue.

 

Well add me to the list of those who have been zapped by the field reps. I got the call from the dealer this afternoon and was told that he drove it and found no problem. My copy says "no defect or malfunction detected. Operation is charistic. EVA- 1-020 HZ @ 0.00-0.03G within spec L0.07G". So according to my service advisor I am done. They won't touch it. The tech that rode with me yesterday told them I had a problem. He doesn't count now and I am very unhappy. The truck shakes and vibrates and you can feel every little bump in the road. This all started after they changed the driveshaft and added the dampner. So I am going to look at my options and see where I want to go with this. I have been told by another dealer in another state that sight unseen they know how to fix my problem. I might let them take care of it next week. They wrecked the ride that I had the day I took it off the lot and now they say I am going to live with it. I think they might have bought some publicity that they aren't going to like. Hope Ford gets it together soon.

 

Has anyone tried an independant shop that might specialize in this type of thing? If I can find one in the Maryland area I will give them a try. I spoke to the guy at the The Driveshaft Specialist ( see link in previous reply in this thread ) he sounded like he could pin pointe the problem if not fix it all together, only problem is he is in Texas.

 

I'm still thinking about what to do next. I don't want to take my truck back to the dealer because all they are going to do is start replacing parts again. It's very frustrating to say the least.

Ron

 

Just wanted to update everyone following this thread. I took the truck back to the dealer on Friday, not by choice. While traveling home on Thurday evening the check engine and the little wrench light came on in my truck. Probably not a good thing. Also the vibration is getting worse.

Without going into details I told my dealer to pass the word on to the Ford representatives that they can have my truck because I'm not coming back to the dealer to pick it up...period. It's basically a lemon and I shouldn't have to deal with these issues. The good thing is the the dealer gave me an 01 Eddie Bauer edition Expedition to drive while my truck is in dispute. I sincerly regret trading in my 2000 F-150 for a new 04 F150. What a nightmare.

Ron

 

Ron - I hope everything works out for you. I too have the vibration. It is pretty bad at 60MPH. The truck only has 900 miles on it. I am calling my dealer today to complain. This is absolutely unacceptable. Let us know what happens.

Eric