Hey Experts!

I have a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD with just over 166k miles.

Recently, the car vibrates at 15mph upon accelerating. It only does this when accelerating, not if I hold the car speed at 15mph.

Car has new tires, new alignment, and both have been checked by two different shops.

Mechanic is baffled, is still looking into the issue, however the best he can describe it as is a clutch shudder. Only problem is the vehicle has no clutch.

Any ideas?

 

I had one doing that and it was a bad CV axle.

 

According to the mechanic CV, U-Joint, Axles all look okay.

A thought though, the vehicle does have a clutch. Isn't there an electromagnetic clutch for the rear drive?

 

According to the local dealer this axle was fine. I replaced it, cured problem, Ford dealer paid me and I now have a loyal customer.

 

Interesting, I am not going to the dealer. It is an independent shop.

I will re-mention it to him again. The part that is odd to me is it is only upon acceleration, not if I hold the vehicle at that speed.

 

Acceleration puts stress on it, it will get worse.

 

How about the center support on the passenger side? Couldn't it be allowing the axle to wobble under a torque load? Another possibility is the bushing where the axle goes into the transaxle. There have been reports of looseness there leading to seal failure. If loose, it could allow for wobble.
tom

 

Well, the vibration got worse and took the FEH back into the shop. I would vibrate constantly at 15mph, and then again around 30mph. He checked the CV joints and axles, says all look fine.

The mechanic now believes it is the Center Support Bearing, which when on the rack, vibrates upon acceleration, and then smooths out when at higher speed.

He called around to try to find only the bearing, and was not able to. The replacement would be an entire driveshaft, and he estimates the job at $932.00.

He also advised possibly replacing the u-joints when he was under there if they needed it, around $35.00.

Does this diagnosis sound reasonable to the minds here?

 

Maybe you could check your motor mounts. Excessive flexibility would allow the drivertrain, engine & transmission, to get out of line, and force the CV joints and U-joints to do more gyration when the acceleration pushed the components. If you have no vibration at steady state, then acceleration of some sort, which puts a load on the system in one direction which is not there at constant speed, may be causing distortion.
tom

 

Checked the motor mounts, all appear okay.

It also is constant now when holding the vehicle at 15mph and 30mph, whether accelerating or not.

I am dropping the mechanic an email now with the following:

Dorman part number 934-201

Detail Buyers Guide

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/de...1418&ppt=C0362

Seems they are the same.

 

Our 06' did the same exact thing! It was the rear u joint. It looked good but it was tied right up.