This morning while driving to work the truck began shuddering terribly at around 35 MPH. Under 35 everything was OK. Went up to 60 and it didn't get any better. This came on all of the sudden, it was fine yesterday. It's a 2005 XL 2WD with a 5.4L, 84k miles.

Last week while driving back from the lake (about 80 miles from my house) I noticed the emergency brake lamp wouldn't go out after I released the brake while putting my boat in storage. I checked the brake fluid (good), checked the switch, engaged-disengaged the brake several times, nothing worked. I drove it home and started messing around with it some more, this time pressing heavily down on the emergency brake then releasing, and the lamp finally went out.

After this, I drove it for most of a week without any problems, until today. Is it possible the two issues are related (emergency brake didn't fully disengaged and messed up my rear brakes)? Or are these likely two different things?

Thanks!

 

Not sure on the brakes, but I had a shutter when the truck was shifting as well as some bucking at various RPM's.

I thought it was tranny at first, but I did the simple stuff first. Ended up being plugs.

How's the plugs in there?

Brian

 

I would check the injectors for leakage. The 2005s had a letter from Ford extending the warranty as there was a bad batch during production. If that is your problem, you can hydrolock the engine and can ruin the cats by running it with leaking injectors. As already suggested, the plugs need to be changed if they haven't.

 

I haven't checked the plugs yet, will do that today. It's only got 84k miles on it, but they are still factory...the forums show people have different opinions, some say no need to replace until 100k, some earlier. I guess it can't hurt to replace them but I would have thought if it was the plugs it would have been more of a gradual decline.

 

Oh yeah, in case you didn't know changing plugs isn't straight forward as you would think.

Do a search on here about plug change, and make sure you dedicate a good day for it. Also make sure you get the Lisle extraction tool (I had all 8 plugs break on mine).

Brian

 

Feel the rear wheels after driving it - if they feel hot the emergency brake is dragging.

 

this is whats wrong with your e brake locking up. rear wheels in water unloading a boat.
I had a problem, I replaced all 3 of the vacuum check valves for the 4WD and also the vacuum solenoid. All were leaking causing one wheel to engage, spinning the front drive shaft. After stopping the truck and taking off again ,problem was gone, until the next time it happen.