Heavy,

I asked the Service Tech if the driveshafts factory driveshafts are balanced and he said yes. Would you try getting the stock driveshaft balance ( it is my second one from the dealer )?
After 6 times to fix it at the Ford dealer you would think they would have suggested it.


Tom

 

drkshadow,

I had my truck in three times with and it was in the shop for over 30 days. I completed the steps of TSB and in some cases more than once. I was patient and hoping that Ford would resolve the issue. Ford basically told me that my truck was within specification and they would do nothing more. I then decided to file my paperwork with the DSB.

In my letter to the DSB I asked for complete buy back and would agree to buy a new F-150 FX4. I can't believe that all these trucks have this vibration.

Heavy,

This issue is Ford's problem to resolve. I won't take it to anybody other than an authorized Ford dealer. They need to make this problem right with consumers instead of telling them to go pound sand.

Ron

 

Just got off the phone with the service guy at the dealer. He said they rebalanced all 4 tires. They balanced all 4 just 2 weeks ago and it didn't help. He said, maybe our machine was off the first time. He's insisting the vibe is gone. I won't hold my breath when I pick it up after work.

 

Stupid question, but if I need to go that route - what are DSB papers? Where and how do I get them?

I certainly hope that my local dealership will fix my FX4 - they are taking in back this Thursday after trying the tire balance with no correction, but just in case - sounds like DSB is some form of dissatisfaction paper work?

Anyone?

Dan

 

One word of advice. Believe no one when they tell you the vibration is gone. I heard that from my dealer and the FSE several times. Drive it and decide for yourself whether or not the issue was resolved.

Ron

 

When I had my truck in getting the gears done, we sent the driveshaft to the driveline shop to get it looked at. It was not balanced, it was .04 inches out of round. The guy balanced it and put it back on the truck. This didn't fix the problem.

Later I brought my truck into the driveline shop and the mechanic there said you could balance the driveshaft all day and its not going to help. The dirveshaft was 1.5 inches too short and that was my problem.

Remember my truck is lifted so I lost a little distance to begin with. But the interesting thing was that he said all ford driveshafts are too short from the factory.

My advice is to simply have a driveline shop look at the driveshaft and tell you what the problem is. Take the repair estimate to Ford and see what they say. If you get it balanced, take the reciept to ford and ask them to reinburse it you for it. Again, Ford won't touch my truck because of the lift so I was on my own with this problem. The truck now runs with no vibrations and so for me it was worth the extra...

 

I honestly don't expect it to be fixed when I pick it up. Then I'll schedule visit 3, 1 visit from doing the DSB route. I just want it fixed, this dealers loaner vehicles are terrible. Too bad I can't take it to a mechanic of my choosing and have Ford pay the bill.

I find it strange all tires were off balance again (supposedly). I might take it to a driveline shop for a looksey.

 

Time to schedule my 3rd visit to this dealer on this issue. If they play with the tires again I'm just going to loose it.

 

DrkShadow,

Let them know there is a TSB in regards to drive line vibration. I can't believe they haven't started that process.

Ron

 

I have a 04 flairside fx4 and I do not get a vibration in the truck it has 800 miles on it so I'm not sure when everybody else's vibration showed up

 

@ DrkShadow,
I definitely agree with PALongbow. You should make sure your dealer knows.
The TSB # is 04-3-3. Use the search function on this site to search just for that number exactly, and a bunch of threads will come up.

I'm going through the steps of it with my local dealer now. My truck's going back in today for the "dampener" installation, which I'm not expecting to do any good.

 

I printed the TSB and gave it to them the first time I brought it in, in hopes it would save me from heartburn but It has not. I took the truck for the fun of it to a tire specialty shop to balance them. It did not make a difference. Safe to say now, its not tire related which I knew already. I'll remind this dealer to follow the 4-3-3 when I call today to schedule apt. #3.

PALongbow, I used to have a slight wheel nibble. Now that the tires have been rebalance a few times, I don't seem to have much if any nibble now. BUT, I do feel a vibration in the accel. pedal during any accelerations and a consistent light to medium vib in the wheel on a new, pratically perfect tar topped road. My 99 blazer w/ 80k miles didn't do it but this truck with 5k miles does.

I can't drive this thing without thinking of this vibe now.

 

DrkShadow,

Also check into your state's Lemon Laws. I would still persue the TSB with the dealership and get things documented. It will help you with the DSB/Lemon Law process if you have to take that route.

According to your description it sounds like you have the harmonic/rotational vibration.

Ron

 

Oklahoma is not as strict as some states. The law here is, 4 visits for the same issue or the dealer having your vehicle for more then 45 days. Will see what happens. I'm saving all the paperwork for sure. I just want this fixed.

 

Lemon Law it. My truck has been in for 14 straight days waiting on a new rear axle. Ford is incapable of Fixing the problem with these trucks. There is NO SOLUTION to the problem. They can throw different parts at it but as of Oct/18/2004 according to the Service manager at my dealership there is NO SOLUTION to the driveline vibration problem. I plan to file my papers when they arrive and go by a Toyota, which i might add, the driveline service technician at my dealership told me was a better vehicle and the only type he will drive.

Jansen