I have a 1999 F-250 SD with a V-10. This problem has been a PITA from the day I bought the truck two years ago. The vibration will happen on its own and I can eliminate the vibration by engaging 4 high.

The truck just got back from Ford yesterday, 2K later and they replaced the needle bearing, hub assbly, seals, and LF axle assbly (comes with ball joints). They cannot figure it out, and this is my second round of hub assemblies in two years. I also replaced the hub selector, so that is new. They are telling me my vacuum system is fine and my only leak WAS on the LF.

Anyone had this issue before and know the magic solution? IF I ignore it, it will chew thru another hub assembly in about a years time.

Thanks,

 

first off find another mechanic...four hubs in 2 years? does everything up front disengage when you out of 4wd?

 

I am bringing it to the FORD Dealership, because nobody could figure it out. Yes it disengages, now that everything was replaced. I also forgot to mention that the brakes and rotor was replaced.

 

how are the tires...air pressure-balanced-any tread seperation? hubs could have been defective the first time around.

 

Seems I'm saying this alot, brake caliper not releasing. New rotors, new pads, same piston, same caliper. Plus this "mechanic" has replaced your hubs twice? Have they found anything wrong with them, or just guessing? You should be able to get 100k plus out of a set of hubs, if not more.
Could be ply separation in your tires as well.

 

New Calipers on both sides and applying the brakes does not affect it. I also rotated the tires, which did not affect the vibration. Tires have less than 1,000 miles on them.

 

tires balanced? i've seen and felt mud on the inside of a rim(brake side) cause vibrations.

 

I have this exact same prob since i had my truck I thought it was the inner axle sepport bearing so I replaced it but nothing so I swaped the lokcing hub from side to side and stayd on left so I replaced the hub with a new motorcraft and its still there, Im starting to think there is somkind of vibration being transmitted because the noise in the same intensity if it happens at 20 or 60 mph so Im thinking rpm related.. I hope we can solve this

 

Have you figured anything out yet with the problem??

 

I am having the same exact problem on my 2000 powerstroke..I have replaced the needle bearing in the hub but the problem is still there.

I think it is the race on the axle stub, its worn down and too small so you get a nasty grind/vibration noise while in 2wd, switch it into 4wd and it goes away.I found some info on it doing a google search, but didnt save the page and I cant find it again...I joined here hoping to hear more about it, the axle stub is around 90$ plus 30 or so for a new u joint, then add the seals and may as well replace the needle bearing AGAIN!

So my post is an answer/question rolled into one, I think i have the problem solved, but would like to hear some confirmation from those that have BTDT, so I'm not wasting money on parts I dont need.

 

As you have already read from the initial post, the truck has had a ton of work done. I had replaced a frozen hub selector for one I bought on Ebay a year ago. I wouldn't of belived it, but the new selector was failing, causing the driver side to vibrate. It didn't matter where the selector was, drivers or passenger side, the same vibration would come from the drivers side. Replaced the hub select, and works fine.

The drivers side will still vibrate if you come out of 4WD and don't reverse the truck to disenage the transfer case. I hope this helps someone.