I purchased a 2004 FX4 a few weeks back and recently I noticed a possible problem driving at high speeds. On the freeway the truck has a tendency to shake very badly on certain parts of the road, then on others it is perfectly smooth. At first I thought it simply had to do with the fact that I had always driven cars, not trucks, and that I was not used to the different ride. I am now convinced that something might be wrong. I had both the alignment and wheel balancing done and the problem still exists. The truck has a slight lift, but I am not sure how it was done. A friend of mine thinks it is a leveling kit in front, and add a leaf in the rear. Could this vibration simply be the way that a 4x4 drives? Is it possible that whatever type of lift was done on this truck may be causing the vibrations? Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

Sounds like the E-Brake is sticking, especially since its a 2004. I'd search the forum for key words like, "e-brake sticking" I'm sure you'll find a ton of information, probally even a step by step write up how to fix it yourself.

 

Thanks for the response, I really hope that my problem has to do with the e-brake. I am fairly new to this forum so I had no idea that this was a common occurance with 2004 F150's. I did some research and I found a very helpful article written up by TysonLariat https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...g+brake+repair When I get some time I will try this out and let you know what happens. Any other input on this situation would be great.

 

On mine the e-brake cable was binding up the first week I owned the truck. An easy way to tell if it is the E-brake is to pull over when it does it and feel your rear wheels. The side that is hanging up will get really hot. If neither side is heating up then something else is wrong.

 

For those of you that have had this e-brake problem in the past, is it an intermitent problem? Sometimes the truck feels great, other times I feel like I am constantly driving over speed bumps. The shaking that I get only occurs on the freeway, I would say once I go over 50 mph.

 

Does it go away when you let off the gas? Put it in neutral? If not, its probably the ebrake. If it goes away when you let off or put it in neutral, then you may have a trans problem or even a misfire.

 

I just drove the truck on the freeway and the vibration did not go away when I let off of the gas or put the car in nuetral. I am anxious to take apart the brakes to determine whether or not that is what is causing this vibration.

 

Are you talking about a stering wheel nibble? I have that and its at speeds over 50mph and only sometimes.

 

No, my truck doesnt seem to have the steering wheel nibble problem. The entire truck just tends to shake violently on occasion at high speeds. It shakes so bad at times that I feel like I dont have shocks.

 

Shocks? I know if I have the air down to nothing on my Rancho 9000's the truck will be really squirly. Pump them up and they are fine.

Anyhow maybe your shocks are shot.

 

Thats weird, for some reason I never even considered that this could be a problem with the shocks. Could they have gone bad at only 52,000 miles? I will make sure to add them to the list of things that could be causing my problem. I already had the wheels balanced and the alignment done with the problem still remaining.

1. E-brake?
2. Drive-shaft?
3. Shocks?

 

I don't think the driveshaft could be your problem since its not ALL the time. I'm willing to put my clams on the E-Brake as of right now. Shocks could be bad at 52,000 miles but it all depends in reality.

 

I wouldnt completly rule out a drive shaft problem b/c my truck shook like crazy only after I was going about 50 and quite after 65. I have the driveshaft looked at and fixed at the dealer and no vibration or shake since.

 

I think you misunderstood me . . I meant if it doesn't happen all the time at the speeds of occcurance than it won't be the driveshaft. I had a driveshaft vibration as well but things like that happen when you add 37" tall tires. I never had it not vibrate at the speeds it did.

 

I have this same problem with my truck, it started with a steering wheel shimmy to pretty much the whole truck shakin.. in a thread i started someone told me it was the rack and pinion, here's the thread
https://www.f150online.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=280782