This is a 2007 E350 XLT 5.4L 4spd 12-Passenger with 66k. I have been chasing an anoying driveline vibration for a while now. I hope this info helps others to locate their nasty vibration.

I began with the obvious, wheel balance, U-joints, etc.

I replaced a bent left rear wheel with the spare after balancing it. The vibration was still there. The U-joints seemed fine, so I suspected the drive shaft itself. I delivered the shaft to "Driveline Service of Portland" for the full treatment.

The first thing they noticed was that the factory harmonic balancer on the output shaft was cocked at an angle. The rubber between the flange and the balancer ring had failed and the ring had shifted causing a wobble. They removed the harmonic balancer and the factory balancing weights, replaced the U-joints, and balanced the shaft to 3400 RPM. All for $147

I reinstalled the shaft and went for a test drive. Success! The vibration is completely gone and the Van is as smooth as silk.

Mods to date:
Moog ball joints, Bilstein B6 HD shocks, Bilstein 5100 steering stabilizer, K&N air filter, removed rear seats, Pioneer NAV unit, Kenwood backup camera, VanTread rubber mat, Onki "Volcano" running boards, Curt Class IV hitch, break controller, TracVan Tripple ladder rack, Wheel Adapter 2" wheel spacers, Centramatic wheel balancers.

E350John

You're not an Empty Nester till your kids get all their crap out of your garage (and I still have some).

 

So nobody else has encountered a loose or failed harmonic balancer on the output shaft near the first u-joint?

I don't know what's worse, that it fails, or that the Van needed it in the first place. The guys at Driveline Service said they remove them regularly with no complaints.

 

Thanks for the post! I've got a 2008 E350 15 pass. converted to a cargo van. It's got a slight vibration at all speeds above 40, I will give this a shot.

 

Thanks for posting your own follow up------trust me its being read and your results cataloged by others for future reference---at least I know it is with me.

I've seen a few threads about driveline vibrations, the most common problem seeming to be bad U-joints or bent wheels and occasionally an incorrectly installed driveshaft after some sort of service requiring its removal. The failed damper doesn't ring a bell with me but of course I've not read every thread about DL vibrations. Its good to know that can be removed with no adverse effects so far however I wonder if simply replacing it wouldn't be a good idea? Have to trust your DL guys though---I'm sure they wouldn't mislead you about this.

Thanks again for your post and follow up!

 

Thanks JWA! I wondered this myself. I trust the DL guys, but the Ford Engineers must have had a good reason to invest in the dampener ring. The replacement would have to be the entire output shaft. I'm investing elsewhere....

 

I've never priced the complete driveshaft but if memory serves they're quite pricey. "Invest elsewhere" is a good thought if the prices I've heard are anywhere near accurate!

Assuming nothing more than the damper or U-joints need replacing there shouldn't be reason to need anything new or used, assuming no damage of course.

Glad that worked out for you EJohn!

 

Thought an update was in order, as some miles have passed and some vibration seemed to return. The last issue turned out to be rocks picked up in my tread from my gravel driveway. The solution was "Centramatic" wheel balancers (google them). Anyone who goes off-pavement or runs non-hub-centric wheels will benefit from these. They seem a bit goofy out of the box, but they work really well!

Here's a recap:
Replaced bent left rear wheel.
Replaced bent left rear hub.
Removed harmonic balancer on output shaft
Replaced u-joints
Balanced driveshaft
Added Centamatic balancers

 

One set of the 4 'lubed for life' needle bearings in 1 U-joint failed way up in VA, during heavily ladened CT-FL trip, on my '85 XLT 300/C6 Club Wagon. Was able to nurse it all the way home on the I81, I77, I26, I95, I10 route. Was sweating it every time I had to accelerate van load/trailer load up to turnpike speed. However it seemed fine once at speed.

When taking driveshaft off to rebuild U-joints noticed "The rubber between the flange and the balancer ring" was dried out, showing cracks & iron ring was crooked. Thought it a good idea to attempt to straighten the ring out. Was shocked how easily the heavy ring broke when I tried to hammer it back into alignment.

Since it's easy to R&R driveshaft & I was SOL, decided to give new U-joints a test drive w/o harmoic balancer. It ran "as smooth as silk". Inquired at a couple of driveshaft shops & was told to forget about it.

 

Exactly Club Wagon! The harmonic balancer seems to cause the exact problem it was designed to minimize. Glad you caught it!

 

Say what? I didn't suggest any Cause & Effect relationship between "The harmonic balancer" being "crooked" & my U-joint failure. Had no issue with "the exact problem" you had. My '85 XLT ran "as smooth as silk" before & after. The old 'lubed for life' needle bearings at 1 end inside U-joint were dry & rusty. The other 3 were still OK.

Of more interest would be what "Driveline Service of Portland" did when they "balanced the shaft to 3400 RPM".

On my driveshaft "the factory balancing weights" weren't touched.

 

I was only connecting the harmonic balancer to the vibration which it is designed to absorb, not the u-joint failure. Great that your's didn't cause any noticeable vibration. Mine accounted for about 90% of my vehicle's vibration.

 

Driveline Service removed the HB and the factory weights, checked for straightness, replaced the u-joints, and computer balanced it adding their own weights.

 

Thanks for this update John-----will put this in the memory bank should any similar issues arise on my high mileage 2000 E250, hitting 257K miles and climbing.

I'm also ready to change U-joints due a current small "clink" when engaging a gear, existing ones are original to the van. Along with keeping the drive shaft's original position I'll also check that HB for any signs it might be in need of attention.

Glad this is finally resolved for you-----thanks again!