Hey guys. My 2001 4x4 7.3 with 175,000 miles on has recently starter to shake very violently on low speeds when i start accelerating and it goes away if i take my foot of the gas or if i floor it. Have starter after i replaced the rear tires about 3 months ago and rotated the rears to the frond . It sounds like it is coming from the frond end but then again i could be wrong.It also happens in 4x4. Since then i replace the drag ling and tie rod end, service the needle bearings (they where still greased and in good condition) and replace the frond tires to no avail. I will appreciate any suggestions you guys may have. Thanks in advance. Pete.
p.s I don't know if this have anything to do with it but on a mid January trip in upstate NY the temperature was 9 below for 2 days strait and with the wind probably 30 below and the fuel in the cup froze(most likely water in it) .While i was trying to take the filter out i crack the cover and after i got it starter (took me a while and kill the batteries a few times) i was loosing fuel for about 15 minutes till i got to town and got a new filter . Anyway, to make a long story short i feel like the truck is missing every now and then like interruption on the fuel supply. Again. Thanks.

 

Welcome to FTE.
On your first issue it sounds like you are having a steering issue?Is this right?Have you checked the ball joints by lifting up one side enough to get a pry bar under the tire and check for play?

Second issue.Did you replace the fuel bowl cap that was cracked?On top of each head where the valve cover and the head meet it a plug in with 9 wires.Make sure they are snapped in tight.Underneath the valve cover is the UVCH(Under Valve Cover Harness)If it has come loose just so slightly it can cause the truck to miss as well.
If it is a fuel issue.The mixing chamber(socks)inside the fuel tank could be clogging.You will need to do the In-Tank Mods.
Here is some reading for ya.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...rpms-long.html


Welcome to guzzle's In-tank Hutch Mod Web Page

 

Thanks for your reply. I did not check the ball joints but i will this weekend now that i know how. On the second issue i did replace the bowl cap and now that you are mentioning it last winter i replaced the glow plugs maybe the UVCH loosen up. I will start with the easy staff and take it from there. On a good note i am the original owner of this truck and never had an issue before. Have done regular maintenance on it but no mods. Thanks i will get to work and keep you posted.

 

Yes...Keep us posted.We will help you get this truck lined out.Where are you located in case we have a member that lives close that could lend a hand?

 

Thanks again riverrat41.I'm from Long Island NY. I will be working on it this weekend. Weather supposed to be nice and sunny and since i don't have a garage it will be a great help.

 

Also just in case the ball joints are to be replaced i starter getting some prices from Nappa and Autozone and is such a big difference is confusing. Nappa has a wide selection for upper and lower starting at 25.99 going all the way to 81.99 for uppers with some prices in the middle and from 18.99 to 52.99 for uppers with some in the middle. Autozone has only one lower at 69.99 and 2 upper 1 for 28.99 and 1 for 18.99 the more expensive the duralast brand. Any suggestions? Thanks.

 

Could it be UVCH? Mine vibrated badly when it went. I thought my Tranny was going out.

 

If you do find them bad and need them this weekend Moog has been making front end parts for many of year.

 

Good morning guys. After i check first the passenger side and then the drivers side just like riverrat41 suggested the verdict is in .The lower ball joint on the drivers side has a bad play. My question is do i replace both upper and lower on both sides or just the bad side. Thanks.

 

I would assume you will be getting the truck aligned after the ball-joint replacement. This argues for replacing both upper and lowers on both sides. Sure wouldn't want to find that you have a bad ball joint six months from now and have to do another alignment.

While I was in there, I'd check brake pads and clean/lube slide pins...

 

Got a set of ball joints for each side from autozone that way i got a loaner press and the axle seals from Napa. Everything was going smooth till i got to the lower ball joint. I had a very hard time taking it out and installing the new one , but with a little persuasion and a lot of cussing i made it. Then i got to the knuckle seal and its been giving me a hart time to go in . I been trying to do it with a 3" pvc pipe but it seems that cussing does not help any more so i will take a brake and finish tomorrow.Thanks for all your support.

 

This may help you.

Ford Super Duty Ball Joint Replacement Procedure | Superdutypsd.com

 

Thanks riverrat41. Once again you came through. On my way to Lowes for the parts.

 

Ok guys. The good news is i manage to finish both sides with no other drama. The bad news is, it did not stop the shaking. It is exactly the same. At 15 to 25 it shakes and rambles and then it stops. I starter poking around and i discovered that i have a lot of movement in my rear sway link. It moves from side to side about one inch. The question is would that create all that ramble and shaking? I will appreciate any help. Thanks.

 

Personally, I don't think it will. Some trucks don't even have a rear sway bar.