Well guys, I had the dreaded axle whine between 68-72 MPH and vibration between 40-60MPH. Weird thing was it was getting worse and by the time I took it in with 544 miles on the odometer, it had a vibration at 20-30MPH as well. You could also feel it while braking. The tech's heard the axle noise right away and said the ring and pinion were bad, much different than what I had been told on my 2003 that I traded in (multiple dealers said it was normal) that had the same problem.
Well, they replaced the clutch packs and the ring and pinion and guess what it still whined, so they ordered a new rear axle assembly and that got it to be nice and quiet again.
As for the vibration, they had their best vibration guy take a look. He immediately said "it is not right" and that it was not a normal vibration. Well, I guess he balanced the tires and they were okay. Then he went after the driveshaft and re-balanced it. Guess what, smooth as sillk once again. I have to thank my dealership for fixing it as fast as they could and actually solving the problem and not saying it was a normal issue.
I was without my truck for two weeks driving a Mercury Sable, but it was worth it. Man, I missed my truck after two days and the wife kept laughing at me cause I would look outside and my truck wasn't there. After a while she just felt bad that I did not have my baby. I love this truck ten times more than my last one.

Brian

 

I can certainly relate. I'm driving a Ford Taurus while my truck is in the garage being fixed for the same problem.

Ron

 

Glad to hear the Ford dealership tightened you up. A lot of unhappy campers still posting about vibration problems. Personally, my truck is A OK; guess I’m one of the lucky 2004 F150 owners.

 

I think its more like some are unlucky and most dont have the problem. You say you are a lucky one and everyone who reads this will think its an epidemic sweep all 04s.

 

EddyG88,
I hear what you are saying, I have grown up working on cars and I can say that the vibration I had was different from anything I have ever experienced. It just was totally different from a tire imbalance or motor imbalance.
I also don't believe that everyone thinks this is an epicdemic as we would be hearing about it in the news; if 200,000+ F150's had this problem. I am just one of a handful of guys and gals that have a had a vibration issue. I just wanted to let other people know that I got mine fixed so holdout until your dealer can get yours fixed.

Brian

 

I had my driveshaft replaced and it still has a vibration. You are correct it is definatly an odd vibration. If the driveshaft fixed yours, I feel mine can be fixed too. I might try rotating mine 90 deg. and see if that helps.

It definatly is some kind of rotation vib., if it was the stiff frame why is it smooth before and after 45 - 65 mph. at 70 and faster mine feels
smooth and normal.

 

My f150 started vibrating at 6000 miles now it has 8900miles at first it felt like rumble strips but always went away after a mile or so, now I have noticed on take off it wants to start to vibrate but fades away, most noticable on a corner ,I am wondering if its the LS rear end , I had an older t-a with an LS, and when it went BO it kind of acted the same way. Is the LS the common denominater?? Be interesting to find out.

I take mine to the dealer 7/1/04

Has any one else heard a noise right after starting the engine kind of a rattle from the pass side sound like a no oil engine start
not all the time and doesn't matter if the engine is hot or cold..

Also while in the black hills on vac I had a no power condition
up a 15percent grade 5mph wot not pulling just 4-adults the temp was 80 the humidity 90percent the focus following had the same experience no down shift.

But pulling my 4000# camper back to mn It cruised along at 80mph in overdrive and pulled 6-10percent grades with like it wasn't even back there.


go figure

 

bob800,
Your rumble feeling is flat spots on the tires, if it goes away in a mile then you are fine. The other issue of you having a small vibration espicially when you turn is the LS. The dealer may just need to add a little more addittive to the rear axle as there may be too little to let the discs slip correctly. If not then they replace the clutch packs and you will be set. I had this small vibration in my truck before they replaced it, it was so minor that I barely could feel it. But with the new rear end it does not do it anymore.

I haven't had a rattle but it sounds like oil pressure building up on that side of the motor takes a little longer. Do you park on a hill or on an angle when it does this?

The no-power condition is a weird one, you are the first I have ever heard of this problem. I am wondering if a PCM upgrade would help you?

Good luck with your truck and service.

Brian

 

Brain
The the truck doesn't vibrate all the time ,today it my do it, and then 2 weeks later ,on the same road ,or diff road, old pavement, or new doesn't matter it vibrates bad enough to bounce the wiper blades off the windsheild, but the steering wheel doesn't vibrate..

The engine noise in most cases the truck is level, piston slap mybe hope to find out thursday....

thanks for the replay

 

I didn't think the 04's had the piston slap problem?