I have a 99 F150 4x4 with a 5.4 and the 4R70W transmission with 80000 miles. The truck is all stock and I have the dreaded shutter. I have: Had the tires balanced, u-joints replaced, driveshaft rebalanced, replaced the transmission fluid (including TC) with Mercron V fluid and added Lube guard, and changed the rear differential fluid.

My shutter is pretty bad sometimes and always seems to be at around 40mph and again at 20mph. In trying to diagnose the problem as the Torque Converter I performed this test... I get up to about 55 and then put the truck in Neutral and coast down to about 15, the truck still vibrates at 40 and slightly at 20. Can this still be the Torque Converter? I have read a couple of post that a misfire can cause a shutter but always at the same speed? My truck has good power but also has the original spark plugs.

Thanks,
Dave

 

If it vibrates the same in neutral, it's definitely not the torque converter so you don't need to worry about that. You also won't need to worry about the engine if this happens at the same speeds in neutral.

-It could still be the tires, even though you've had them balanced. You could rotate them and see if the vibration changes any.

-It could also be the driveshaft angle in relation to the rear differential.

Because this vibrations occurs in neutral, it is most likely the tires or driveshaft. This will be one of those things that is very difficult to track down. There are quite a few of us here that have dealt with a similar vibration for years.

If you have a friend with an F-150 or an Expedition, you could see about swaping their wheels and tires for yours to see if that resolves the issue.

You could also get an inclinometer to measure the angle of the drivshaft at the differential and again at the transmission. Search Google for "measuring pinion angle" to learn more about it.

 

Thanks for the good information, I will definitely try the wheels and tires first and go from there. Can a bad slip yoke cause the pinion angle problem?


Thanks again!!

 

It's not very likely that there is anything wrong with the slip yoke. You could push and pull on the driveshaft to see if it feels loose. But, if there is play, that would create a constant out of balance vibration, not a speed dependent one.

 

Checked the driveshaft for play last night and it seems to be good and tight.

I am going to put a buddy's wheels and tires on it this weekend. I hope that is it, this is harder to find than I thought it would be.

Called to see how much a new driveshaft is and got $150.00 for another steele one.

Just for kicks I went to a dealer to see what he thought and the service guy said he would have the trans "powerflushed" He said that the TC still spins in Nuetral?? and when I changed the fluid I probably did not get it all. I did drain the TC too though, I should have gotten everything except what is in the lines. BTW - Powerflush is another $119.00. I also asked about the clutch packs in the rear diff $400 - 600 to replace?

Here's hopping that it is the tires!!

 

Had the shutter very bad at 18,000 miles. Took into dealership. They replaced the transmission. Problem still remained. Technician found a programming failure within the PCM. Replaced PCM. Has not shuttered since. You may be able to find a TSB with regards to this problem on the 1999 5.4 4x4 or maybe some of the Ford technicians on this board could pipe in if they have heard of one. Hope this helps.

 

I have a 98 F150 4x4 with the same problem at 40MPH. At fist the dealer said it was nothing but i made a mechanic go with me and showed him. Now the dealer keeps telling me the tires but after putting another set of tires on, it still had the problem. I have no idea what it is wrong(same with the dealer) but i will ask about any PAM programming faults. thanks guys thought i was the only one...

 

Do you guys have the latest calibration for the pcm?

If so, could you list what year truck you have and what calibration?

Thanks.

40 MPH that sounds familiar.

 

Wow you'd think Ford would put a little R&D into solving this one. Mine has it too, not all the time but if you are easy on the gas and coast around 40-43 mph it will usually happen. A mild humping bumping feeling. I think it is from the rear end, not the tranny. Accelerating on up to any speed is smooth, and there are not other problems except when going easy at 40 mph.

Im testing a harmonic theory I have. In cold weather it is never present, but in mild weather it is prevelent. Since I bought the truck in December I don't know what to expect in hot weather. My theory is a harmonic between the rear axle and the frame. I have lowered my rear air pressure to 29 psi cold and will test and lower further to 27, then 25 to try to get rid of the shudder. I wont go lower than that on the road, with no load. This will take some time to evaluate, but I'll post back the results.

Tim

 

I have a 1997 F-150 with a 4.6L and I bought it with 30,000 on the odometer. The shutter you guys are referring to sounds very familiar to me too. I have had it ever since I can remember and it seems to only happen during the warm weather, but I came to a conclusion that it was because that is when I am using my A/C. The air conditioning being on puts more load on the motor and tranny, but I still have not found out how to cure it. There are 2 O2 sensors on the tranny in my truck and one went out and it seemed to cure the problem shortly, but not for long.
Anyone have any more Ideas?

Lance

 

I have same problem, I read in engine forum about poss. loose torque converter? What is involved in checking and tightning? Is this a poss. weekend job in a home garage or is it smarter to have a transshop look at it? Thanks.

 

I conducted my tire pressure test, and there was no change. The shutter is still there at 40-43 mph.

I also changed part of my Mercon V tranny fluid. I dont have a drain plug in the torque converter, so I couldn't get it all out. Man that is a lousy job, that ATF is wicked stuff. I installed a B&M drain in the pan while it was out. Next time should be much more pleasant.

I havn't had my tires balanced yet, I may try that too. I dont think it is a tranny issue, it still occurs while in neutral, and it sure feels like the rear end.
Tim

 

Tim

Any luck diagnosing your vibration yet?

Mine is definitely speed sensitive and not rpm. Put the truck in Neutral and it vibrates around 40- 45, drop it down in 2nd and it vibrates at 40-45. I put a friends wheels and tires on with no help also changed the transfer case fluid just in case. Mine defiantly feels like the rear end too.

 

This is a common Ford problem and is a common topic on other threads. Shudder is a symptom of bad fluid or poor quality fluid. I had it also. Drained my torque converter & transmission pan. Refilled with 15.5 qts of Mobil 1 ATF, no more shudder. Since I have a 4r100, I use Mercon. I believe I saw that Valvoline makes a synthetic Mercon V, but don't hold me to that.

 

DK, I dont know what happens when you put a auto in neutral, you would think that the TC is still coupled to the engine. Once in neutral I let the RPM's drop off. The diff, drive shaft, and tranny are still coupled, so maybe what MrAgt mentioned may have some bearing. I still have the shudder. I replaced 5qts of my new (1700 easy miles), FORD OEM fluid with AAMCO Merc V, which is made by Mobile. This made no change at all. Guess I could replace more, but I have a 500 mile trip coming up this week, so I'll wait for my return. In the meantime I just dont drive 42-43 MPH, I can deal with that.

I tried to get the diff fill plug out, but it looks like Ford lock tite'd it real good, I'll need an air impact with 3/8 drive, which I dont have. The fluid is supposed to last the life of the truck. Man do I love working on my Bronco II. Pound for pound it is a better truck than the new F150's.