2004 Expedition Acceleration Vibration

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Feb 8, 2011 | 09:07 AM

89LX306

Thread Starter

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 1,815

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From: Houston

2004 Expedition Acceleration Vibration

My 2004 Expedition 2WD 5.4 has developed a vibration and transmission leak. When driving down the highway if I let off the throttle and then lightly get back in it it vibrates. Almost like you drove over a washboard surface on the road. It feels like it is in the driveline. I'm leaning towards out of balance driveshaft or u-joints going and that is what is causing the transmission to leak (hopefully it's only tailhousing seal).

Has anyone else experienced this? And where can I find something to decode the door tag? Is this the 4r70W transmission? Thanks.

EDIT: The owners manual shows the W code transmission being a manual 5 speed. Pretty sure I've never seen a shifter on the floor in the Expy.

Feb 8, 2011 | 10:51 AM

alloro

Fleet Owner

Joined: Apr 2008

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From: 0,0,1

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89LX306

I'm leaning towards out of balance driveshaft or u-joints going and that is what is causing the transmission to leak (hopefully it's only tailhousing seal).

I agree, if the front double cardan joint is worn out not only is the balance off; but as the weight is thrown out you end up with a gap on the opposite side of the driveshaft between it and the seal.

Feb 8, 2011 | 08:11 PM

pdqford

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 3,740

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From: Central NYS

Quote:

Originally Posted by 89LX306

My 2004 Expedition 2WD 5.4 has developed a vibration and transmission leak. When driving down the highway if I let off the throttle and then lightly get back in it it vibrates.

If the vibration only lasts for a few seconds and at speeds above 45MPH, it might just be the torque converter clutch locking back up. When you let off the gas the computer unlocks the torque converter clutch in case you are about to hit the brakes. But if you then roll on to the throttle the torque converter will lock up again and if your tranny fluid is pretty dirty it might just cause the torque converter clutch to chatter on lock up.

Dirty fluid shouldn't cause a leak. Better get under there and see where the leak is. I've had to replace all the tranny cooler lines on my Navi. It was spraying out such a fine pin hole that you could see it coming out but if you held your hand over the line you could feel it spraying out.

But if it vibrates continually, then I'd go with alloro's idea.

Just another idea . . . .