Got the call from the dealership that they had tried some different things with the new '01 and that I should test drive it to see if I was happy.

Fired it up, warmed it to operating temp. and slowly brought the revs up. No vibration anywhere. Time for a road test. On to the highway and roll it up to about 105 mph, which takes you into the 3000+ rpm range. Zip, nadda, nothing, smooth as a babies bum. Awesome. My '00 was never this smooth. SOLD. Pick it up tomorrow. Wooooo Hoooo!!!!

Now for the answer. What did they do? As "roger" posted in my last thread on this topic, the exhaust system was neutralized. With the engine and exhaust up to operating temp, all the exhaust system bolts are loosened, except for the manifolds. Shift the truck from forward to reverse a few times, and tighten it back up. They also removed the new strap that ties the exhaust to the tranny. At this point they were very satisfied with the vibration reduction, but wanted to try the counter weights that they had ordered. They are weights that weigh less 1 lb and are hung on the catalytic converters. This final attempt removed all residual vibes. Very cool and really smooth.

Got to hand it to them. By the way, a second red '01 arrived yesterday and it vibrated even worse. So beware but don't be put off.

Now if the friggin' snow would just get out of here.

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2000 Red Lightning - #835 of 4966 Born 3-8-00 / Delivered 3-22-00
22% Window Tint, Clear Corners, MPulse LoPro Tonneau, AIM 2" Drop Shackles, Bed Rug, PSP Filter Kit, Other Goodies, Group Buy Floor Mats
Best time: 13.45 sec. @ 101.99 mph

2000 Red Trans Am Ram Air WS6, 6 Speed - Delivered 2-15-00 - Awesome Looking Car

My Zing.com Album Click Here




[This message has been edited by WHAT04 (edited 03-14-2001).]

 

WHAT04,
I'm really glad things worked out as well as they did. Congratulations! Thanks for posting the findings for future reference.

Later,
Jake...

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2000 Black Lightning
#54 of 4966
NLOC #476
PSP full meal deal
Level 10 shift kit
SnugLid (soon to be Innovation Pro-Sport)
BedRug
Wet Okole seat covers
AIM 2" rear drop

13.870 @ 100.52 stock
13.087 @ 104.80 mods

jacobs@revealed.net

 

Thanks for the info...glad it turned out that easy.

 

Hey What04!
I'm very happy for you in finding the resolve, to the Nasty Engine Vibration.
Roger, I want to thank you very much for enlightening us on this TSB! Do you guys know the specific TSB number for this fix?

I searched and found several TSB's in ALLDATA.com, but not the specific number, I can have it handy for the service mgr if my 2001L has these symtoms when it arrives. Since i'll be trading in my 2000L, Im sure they would like to take care of the N.E.V. in it as well.

PLEASE reply with this TBS number...

Thank you fellers very much!
J.

 

That sound great. I'm also interested in the TSB#.
Will the weights work on the 00'L ?
Do you have a part# for the weights?

 

My 2001 has no vibrations at all. I am always surprised at how quiet it is and how docile it feels. Was something wrong with that new one?

 

I'll try to remember to get the TSB and weights part # when I pick up today.

And yes, this will work on the 2000. It was a TSB for the '98 and '99 regular F150. These weights were originally installed on '97 F150's with the original side exhaust. Only one was used then because it was a single exhaust.

My tech ordered two weight kits because of the dual exhaust. The theory is that the longer rear exhaust dampens the vibrations. I now have a 2001 F150 Supercrew rental with a 4.6L. Under hard acceleration, it will send a quick buzz through the mirror at 3000 and 4000 rpm through both 1st and 2nd gear. Barely noticeable but there if you are looking for it.

Believe me, others will have this same issue. Just depends how sensitive you are to it. My '00 had it (unsolved) and the other '01 received had it worse. Fortunately, whoever buys it will never know 'cause they'll fix it before delivery.

 

The tech. didn't know the TSB number and said that it had been revised anyway.

The Exhaust Dampner Counter Weights part number is: XL3Z-5G209-BA Two are required.

 

WHAT04
Thanks for all the info it realy helped me out. I was having a vibration at 90 mph and above.

I had a hour or so to kill before heading to the tire dealer to have my wheels rebalanced and have stick on weights put on. So I started up the truck to warm the exhaust up. I then loosend uo the two clamps at the front of the muffler, and shook the hell out of the exaust. I then tightened it back up and headed to the tire place.

On the way there I brought the truck up to 90 mph and then to 100, and what a differance, 90 percent of the vibrations were gone. After getting the tires rebalanced some more of the vibrations are gone. It is now much smoother, I will look into getting some of the weights you told me about and see if they help too.

So thanks for the info, I am a happy camper now.

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SILVER 2001 LIGHTNING
Built 02/14/01
Picked up 03/03/01
Sportmasters tonneau
Bedrug

http://members.tripod.com/donf150/Welcome/id7.html

 

Glad to see everything is AOk, and for the snow part I now what your going through after all I live about 50k away from you

01,Black,Lightning
K@N air filter
Super flip Chip

 

Don C:

I was under the truck yesterday to see what they actually did with the weights. They are installed in place of the clamps on the front of the muffler, still acting as clamps, but with a big mass hanging off to the side. The mass, which looks like a bar about 2" dia. by approx. 6" long, is offset to the passenger side of the truck.

Guess it works. Go figure.

 

When the Exhaust system is neutralized, I see only the front muffler clamps were lossened. What about the clamps after the muffler. And the clamps at the exhaust tips. Bob.