I have an 2001 F250 SD V10 2wd extended cab long bed. I have had a vibration in the steering wheel between 30 and 40mph. It happens on any road surface and in any gear. I drove an identical truck at the dealership which did not exhibit this vibration. I have brought it to two dealerships at least 6 time and am told that they feel the vibration, but it is normal(they have rebalanced driveshaft, balanced wheels, played with tire pressure. I have called Ford Customer Care and they have been of no help, my next step is to get a lawyer and go through the lemon law route. If anybody has experienced this problem please let me know, and if there was an outcome what was it.

Thanks
Mark Schwartz
mhsneon@att.net

 

I have an 2001 F250 SD V8 4x4 extended cab long bed. I have had a vibration in the steering wheel between 35 and 45mph.

 

 

Platinum F250 2001 noticed a vibration in steering wheel. Took to 4 dealerships for repairs, took truck for apx 55 days, go 5-21-03 to Dispute Settlement Board.
We'll see...
Lemon Law may be our only alternative. From what the Dispute Settlement Board sent us... it doesn't look good.
Looking for others with same problem.

 

This may sound stupid, but have you tried getting your tires balanced?

A wheel weight that is off might give you a shimmy like what you describe, and it would be consistant with a vibration at only a range of MPH.

 

Had the same problem on my 01. The dealer installed a steering stabalizer under warranty. It seams they should have come with them and did not. Push the issue and they will fix it.

 

Hi all,
Just got back from the Dispute Settlement Board. Saw some of your replies, so here goes:
List of things tried to correct vibration problem. (numbers are times took to dealership for same problem totaled apx. 55 days from mileage 4,947 to 16,700 including todays ride with Board Member for verification of vibration).
1. rotated and balanced tires - dealership charged 48.50 and did not correct the problem
2. told me it was the mirrors causing the vibration (in steering wheel??? NOT)
3. repositined all Cab mounts, balanced tires w/Stock unit, swapped drive shaft w/Stock unit, worked w/FE Alan Fass, Isolated Steering Column, neutralized engine & Trans mounts. Removed and reinsulated visor (caused from vibration), Replaced trans mount, isolated exhaust sys. Replaced torque converter per hotline request.
Continued on next thread.

 

4. Found vibration coming from Trans R&R Trans and replaced Torque Converter and front pump seal, removed carpet to gain access to body mounts, removed mounts and recentered cab.
5. Balanced tires and test drove, drove w/customer to verify concern, contacted Ford.
6. realigned Exhaust, Replaced Torque Converter and Flywheel, Replaced Harmonic Balancer, replaced Crank Shaft Dampner, EVA tested repeatedly, worked with FE Joe Carpenter& Hotline Auth on repair. Suggested a new Crank, but ended up going to the Dispute Settlement Board before that came about.

So... yes, balanced and rotated tires repeatedly as well as changing out wheels and tires with another truck and had the same EVA readings.

Awaiting a decision from the Dispute Settlement Board, should hear from them within 10 days. Overall Ford Customer Service (w/ exception of one dealership that blamed the mirrors for the vibration) WAS AWESOME!!!

 

To answer daimon1054
The Platinum f250 SD CC 7.3L 4x4 came with a steering stabilizer.


To answer mhsneon
Sorry to hear your plight with the dealerships and Ford Customer Service. I did end up going outside of the DFW area to get the customer care that I received, the dealership that told me it was the mirrors was IN the metroplex.

I don't know if I'm allowed to state what dealerships gave me the care that I deserved since I'm a new user on this board... but if some one could let me know, I may be able to at least send you to someone who'll treat you with a little more respect and concern.

I'll let you know when I hear from the Dispute Settlement Board.

Oops. I just realized I accidently mentioned the Ford Engineer's names, I sure hope that wasn't against the rules. Though I didn't not use any derogitory language w/names.
Good luck All Talk to you again in about 10 days.

 

I forgot to mention the Platinum F250 SD CC 4x4 has SWB and Firestone tires.
The wheels and tires they swapped were also Firestone tires, but there is only 16,700 miles on them... could this still be the cause of the vibration???

 

I just got an 03 F-350 FX4 CC SB SRW V-10 Auto "750 miles" with same vibration at about the same speed. I dumped the BF goodrich tires for Michelin LTX tires and even though the tires are a big improvement, the vibration is still there. The vibration seems to follow the rotation speed of the wheels rather than a drive shaft. Mine seems to peak at about 38 mph while coasting. Dealer sez no trouble found. BS... I also notice that my V-10 is starting to sound like its sucking alot of air on acceleration. I checked under the hood but didnt see anything obvious. Another trip to the dealer is scheduled.

 

I have not yet, in two years of following these forums, ever known anyone to ever describe the Ford Regional Techs(engineers?) as smart, competent, or successfull with a diagnosis or repair.

Several things things not mentioned (unless I was reading too fast) as checked are toe angle, caster angle, track bar, wheel run out, tire roundness.

My Platinum (at 1700miles) had identical vibration. It was found by the Copperas Cove Texas Ford dealer on the first appointment. Checked all things steering and wheel/tire related then warrenty bought me a new Steeltec tire that was ROUND.

The ASE tech told me this condition sometimes has been tracked to the deliberate FORD slightly RIGHT front end alignment.

(Slight pull to the right on FLAT LEVEL, not crowned, roads is deliberate due to product liability suits. If you fall asleep you should not drift into on-comeing traffic.)

 

HI Fredvon4,
Thank you for the advice, it is appreciated very much. I know their machine keep stating it was the tires that were the problem, I am not certain they checked the toe angle, caster angle, track bar, wheel run out, or tire roundness.
Thank you for the name of the dealership.
Oh, by the way the FE title was the way it listed on the invoices, not my terminology. But if I had used my terminology, I probably would have gotten kicked off the board.
I doubt Ford will do anything to help us now until we get the results from the Dispute Settlement Board, but I think we'll go ahead and try to set up an appointment. Definitely did not want to part with the Platinum, just couldn't stand my hands falling asleep from the vibration.
I will keep you all updated.
Thanks again.

 

let me first say- howdy all, this is my first of probably many posts and I have been reading this forum for some time now. Great site for the Super Duty.

I work for an international wheel company in the quality department. I have seen many times where we have a vibration problem in a wheel model, on a car line. Most of the time this can be corrected by unmounting the tire and remounting it 90° to 180°. The tire and wheel companys know the the static imbalance of their product comes into play on the road. Even if the wheel is balanced perfectly. Before we ship any wheel to the customer we mark the low spot of the wheel with a sticker. The tire company marks their high spot with a sticker. these two products meet at another company that puts the two together and knows how to align the stickers. We all know that people are only human and not every tire is mounted where it should be on the wheel.

Another area is if one of your wheels is bent. I have seen bends in a wheel that were not visible to the eye that cause vibration in the car. The only way I know to find that, is to unmount the tire and put it on a balance machine with a dial indicator, and spin the wheel slowly and find the lowest spot (either on the inboard or outboard flanges). Mark the low spot and then gradually start marking the bend. If you look close enough you will find it on both sides of the low spot and should be pretty much identical. We have even taken a hammer and a wood block to knock out the dent (not on anything we sell, only co-workers wheels).

Just saying it happens, and puting it offroad or running over curbs might just be enough. As for me I love to run over thoes parking blocks and curbs in my SD. Makes me feel big. Hope this helps or gives some insight!

matt