kawman62,

I was starting to lean that way too, but my vibe has changed every time they do something to the drivetrain they just can't get rid of it. I still think it is driveshaft related.


Ptownfire,

How far are you from the Southern MD, Charles Co. area? I'm at the same point you are, with my truck. Mine also seems to get worse after driving for a while.....heat related.

 

My truck was exactly the same from 45 to 65 with the vibration peaking at 62mph.

 

That sounds very similar to what mine is doing right now. I have about 15,500 miles on my truck. The vibration peaks at 65 MPG, but it's only present in overdrive and when I apply enough pressure on the accelerator to maintain the speed. When I release the accelerator, the vibration disappears. If I reapply pressure on the accelerator, enough to get back up to speed again but not enough to force a downshift, the vibration comes back. If my truck downshifts, the vibration goes away, but when it shifts back into overdrive, the vibration returns again. The same thing occurs when I manually disable and enable overdrive.

The whole situation above has been present in my truck since about 7,000 miles. Just over the past week it's been getting worse. It's to the point now that the vibration actually causes any loose items (i.e. coins, buckles on the baby seat) in the cab of my truck to vibrate at the same frequency. I'm taking my truck in on Monday to have some defective climate control parts replaced and the tires road force balanced (in an attempt to correct the steering wheel nibble/shimmy). I'm going to take one of their driveline and/or driveability technicians for a ride before I leave it in their possession. Hopefully they'll feel and hear the same things that I do.

 

Sounds like there are a few different types of vibration problems here.

Labrador,

yours is totaly different from mine. Mine is pretty consistent from 40+ mph, not affected by acceleration. Feels more like something out of balance. Yours sound more like a transmission problem.

 

I'm battling the same issues 04 F150 Scab Lariat. Currently 4400 miles, started to notice the vibration at < 100 miles.

The first dealer I took it too, since where I bought the truck is 45 mins. away, said 3 techs drove it and found nothing wrong. If they could not feel it, I don't want them working on it. They must have had wooden legs not to feel it in the pedals.

I took it back to where I bought it and they balanced all the tires and did a front alignment. It did not make any difference at all. I'm dropping it back off this Tuesday. This sucks, I love the truck, but the vibration is anoying. I'll give them 4 chances to fix it before I check into DSB to Lemon it.

 

tjaas

If I keep the same speed the vibration is very consistent between 45 & 65 especially with using cruse control. After 65 the steering wheel nibble begins and the driveline vibration tapers off. The DSB concluded that the vibration was not normal as Ford's FSE claimed and ordered Ford to buy back the truck.
Problem solved.

 

04 FX4 SuperCab Styleside
Built @ Norfolk, VA 04/2004
3400 Miles
3.73 Gears w/ LSD

Havent noticed vibes yet...have 3400mi and just noticed its a stiffer ride compared to other trucks Ive owned (Dodge Ram and Tundra TRD). I just figured it was because the new suspension config and the towing package (stiffer coils?).

I did notice a rigorous vibration one day rolling about 15-25 mph. Felt like I had a flat tire, so I pulled over. Didnt see any flats...continued to drive and figured it might have been the road. Went back to the same exact spot and tried replication what I drove over....nothing. Then I suspected an earthquake since people say it feels like you have a flat when driving during an earthquake (since I live in the earthqake state, CA). None the day I was driving, though they have had some shakers the last couple days. Nothing consistent as far as vibes so far...hopefully I dont have to subscribe to the Vibe Club....

Ever since that experience, I havent noticed anything. I bet I will now since I will be trying to look for any vibe possible. Is it a completely different feeling from having stiff suspension or similar? Bumpy. etc....or is it just one of those feelings where it is just annoying?

Anyhow, the only problem I have that needs to be fixed is my leak in the rear back (brake light area I guess...leaking in my truck in the back middle part when it gets wet - roof area). Small drops leak inside from the ceiling of the truck rigt where the rear window area is....but its coming from inside, not the window itself????

Anyone have this (vibe or leaks) problem with a truck manufactured in the same place as mine with the same build date or later?


Also, do any of you have a longer tailgate cable then the other? the right tailgate cable on my truck has too much slack. Its not even supporting the damn tailgate when its down. Only the left side is holding or supporting the tailgate. Had ford replace the cable, still too long. They noticed it on other new trucks as well...any of you have this problem?

Thanks.

 

sirshan - you will find a thread about the tailgate cable here. just do a search on 'tailgate and cable' and i bet you'll find it fast... it's a recent thread i think...

likewise the leak issue.... for some reason, ford seems to have a hard time properly fitting a rear window.. my '01 had issues, and from what i hear on this forum, some '04's ain't quite right there either....

good luck!

 

Picked up the new FX4 on Friday after the dealership had her for two days.

All four tires re-balanced - the result was the vibration was gone at any speed below 50, but at 54 the vibe was alive.

Looks like the drive shaft is the next fix. Hopefully!

Dan

 

My harmonic/rotational vibration starts around 52 MPH and usually flattens out around 65 MPH. It doesn't matter anymore, the DSB paperwork is in the mail and I hope to have a new truck. Ford tried just about everything other than replacing the truck for me and I still have the vibration.

Everytime they tried to do something on my truck the vibration became less or more noticeable; however in all phases the truck still had the vibration. It kinda makes you wonder....

Ron

 

PALongbow,

How many times did you bring your truck in for another round before you did DSB? I'm bringing my 04 in for the 2nd time tomorrow morning. My guess is it won't be fixed.

Are you going to get another one or get them to buy it back if offered? I like the truck, as long as they could give me one without the optional vibrators that I didn't ask for I'd be happy.

 

I received my DSB papers on 10/8, going to send everything by this friday. Sound like it will take up to 2 months to get a decision.
If I get a buy back, I'll be real leary about buying another F150. Too bad though, I like the truck.

 

Folks, the driveshaft is too short and not even balanced from the factory.

My truck had a bad driveline vibration at high speeds. It's lifted so Ford wouldn't touch it. I took it to a driveline shop to a guy who has been doing this stuff for 30 years. He said the drive shaft was too short and he made a new one for me. Fixed the problem. Said that all Ford driveshafts are too short and have unserviceable joints. Nothing to do but put a different driveshaft on.

Since my truck was lifted this probably exaggerated the problem. Just for kickers anyone with a stock truck and a vibration should go to a driveline shop and let them take a look at it. Doesn't cost anything to look. Ford service techs are not problem solvers, they are parts replacement shops. The engineers tell them what to do from a phone. Pretty dumb but true.

 

Heavy,

How much did you have to pay to get that done? I hate to pay $ out of my own pocket to fix a Ford problem when my truck only has 4500 miles on it. I'd consider it though since it been my only issue and I love the truck otherwise.

 

$600 built and installed for an aluminum driveshaft with serviceable CV joints.

Steel might have been a bit cheaper but I didn't even think about it until after it was done...