Hey guys,
I traded the ’01 in for a left over ’03 with 15 miles on it and I got a smoken deal! Got a couple of problems with her though.
First, the tires seem to be out of balance. I brought it to the dealership and they can feel the vibration at 60 mph but said the tires are fine. They’re going to take the drive train out and bring it somewhere to make sure it’s balanced. This seems like overkill to me. I’m thinking it might be something related to the truck sitting on the lot for over a year.
Second, I’m getting a humming noise from the radio. Sounds like engine noise. When I turn the volume down, you can hear it extremely clear. After you turn the radio off, the noise stops about 2 seconds after. When you turn the radio back on the noise returns until you turn the radio off again.
Just wondering if theses are common problems or not. I also need to install the drop shackles but I’m waiting for the vibration to get fixed.
Thanks,
Scott

 

they are gonna do WHAT?

like you said, it's probably just flat spotted the tires after sitting on the lot for over a year.

good luck.

BTW, do they have a modern tire balancer?

did they do a "road force" balance?

just curious.

later,
chris

 

I'd highly suspect the tires over the driveshaft.

And the radio thing they ought to be able to replace pretty easily/quickly.

Rich

 

I know! I'm sure they do have a modern tire balancer...they're a big dealership and have the "presidential" award. Not sure about the "road force" balance, but they said everything is balanced and that's the only think left to do...

 

I have an 03 Lightning and I have the radio humming noise as well. Please let me know what the dealer does about that. Thanks

 

I noticed that noise going from my 01' to my 03' as well. I found out that it was an internal fan that Ford put in the 6 disc unit. It kicks on when it gets warm/hot...usually a couple seconds after it's turned on. It may be annoying at first but you kinda learn how to tune it out. One of the tradeoff's for having a 6 disc in dash changer I guess...although I don't remember hearing it on the Pioneer 6 disc that comes in the Sport Tracs Regardless, thats what it is. Good luck with your vibration

 

my stock tires were out of balance too...if the dealer cant get it...go to a high end rim shop who uses the glued weights on the inside of the rim. they will work much better than the clip ons, when mine wee slashed and i replaced them with nittos i had the same balance done again and no shaking yet...not even at 140 mph

 

Ya, it is the fan in the radio. It comes built in the the 6 indash. Good luck bro, ur stuck with it(unless you change the deck out).

 

Is that the sorta high pitched noise I keep hearing in the background? I was wondering what that was.

 

Yup...if you're daring enough you can try to open the factory deck open and see if you can disconnect it. Not sure if there would be any reprocutions from doing that though. Otherwise you have three options to get rid of it:
A.) Get a different head unit...
B.) Turn the volume up louder...
C.) Get a some long tube headers and drown it out with the exhaust

 

Mine too. It sat on the lot for 6 months, so the dealer ordered me a new set and all was good.

 

The radio is a common complaint here. Ford knows the fix.
Most likely tire noise. Balanced tires can make noise. SVT vehicles sit for months because they don't let everyone drive them. They get flat spots as mentioned. Mine made noise until I took a long road trip, then they shut up.

 

Like the rest said it's the fan in the radio. Had mine replaced. It's much better but still will come on although much quieter at mid volume. And yeah the drive is not likely out. I would get new tires or if they won't do that at least get them shaved.

 

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Coug
They’re going to take the drive train out and bring it somewhere to make sure it’s balanced.


I couldn't have said WTF better myself

Coug
If the thought of a Dealership messing with your Motor, Tranny, and or Rear doesn't scare you -->IT SHOULD <--

GOOD LUCK BRO, AND CONGRATS........

 

Yea after Mike told me he had a vibration and they replaced his tires I went to the same dealership (wife worked there anyway) and they replaced mine as well. Only had 2800 miles then. It unfortunately didn't fix my vibration problem. The replacement radio came in about two weeks after I already put my aftermarket system in, so I still have the new one in the box in my basement. If the trucks sitting on the lot is causing this vibration problem I'm sure glad I'm not buying one from up here. They have 03's up here that have been sitting on the lot for 18 months or more!