I'm new to this forum and I'm basically writing to see if any one else out there has had the same problems I have had with my 04 F150.

First I must say, I'm no truck expert... I do my own maintaining ie. oil/filter changes every 3,000 and am very **** when it comes to my trucks... incidently this is my 3rd F150 I have owned. (a 1994, 1998, and the 2004)

I first fell in love with the new design, both interior and out, but was sold on the ride and quietness of the cab. Many upgrades from my previous 1998 F150.

but... owners beware! I first starting feeling the rear end bounce up and down at 55mph, thinking it was the balance or flat spots in the truck's tires. Then one day, the entire truck began vibrating beyond belief! I had to pull over and stop.

I took it back and they told me it's a problem Ford is having with the rear end in the 04 F150's, something to do with the differential. They rebuilt the rear end with only 1000 miles on it, a 6 hour job!

Now 3 weeks later and only 2000 miles, the rear end is dripping (slowly) on my garage floor.

I pretty much want to give it back and buy a Tundra..... fat chance of that, lemon law in NH requires 3 strikes before arbitration.

Any one else had this problem or heard of it happening to others?

 

Other people have had their 'clutch packs' replaced in the limited slip rear end because of something similar to what you described I think. If the only issue you have is the leak, that should be a simple fix at your dealer. I think the supplier gave Ford some bad stuff and that's why people have had to get the parts replaced so soon.

 

yes your correct on the bad parts thing... the Dealer was not very willing to give me much information on the problem but did state that Ford was replacing bad parts inside the rear ends due to suppliers bad products. But the kicker of it all is they're not telling anyone of this problem... what if it happens to someone with 40,000 miles?

Not covered, I'm sure.

 

Probably. I would assume though people would notice that shudder right away though...or whatever it is you're feeling.

 

I recently read somewhere here, maybe the super duty forum, that there was a problem similar to yours that had a driveline problem. Something about it not being true. It may or may not be the same as your problem, but it might be worth checking out.

 

Kennedy,

Are you sure it is the diff. When you said shakes badly at speed, do you see the pick up bed, bouncing and or "twisting" a whole bunch? It most likely needs the vibration damper installed, and that really is no big deal. When I am on relatively smooth pavement my rides fine. When I get on certain types of pavement, like the Hardy toll road at ANY speed the pickup bed goes completely crazy and shakes the entire truck violently. The bed actually twist up and down from side to side, sometimes I think it is going to fly off the truck.

Vibration dampers ARE NOT a big deal. Zillions of good high quaility cars have them. My Avalon, I had 4 to 6 of them on the bottom of the car. In that case most were attached to the exhaust system, and averaged maybe 5 to 7 lbs each. There were also several in the engine compartment.

Also, if I drive over broken concrete in city streets at slow speed just 15 to 25 mph, it will do the same thing. You can see it do all this in rearview mirrors, all three of them.

Mine is about 3.5 weeks old and about 1,500 miles. The only real problem to date is that have not been able to fix the AC, which did not work from day one!

 

That's good advise, thanks. I dropped it off this morning to have the leak fixed in the rear end, and asked if Ford has put out any "vibration stabilizers" he looked at me like I had 2 heads... but was gonna check with the Service Manager to see if Ford Corp. suggests anything.
I do know it's not something that should be happening, my 2 previous F150's never bounced like this, but then again maybe it's the way they intendid the truck to be.