I bought a '12 SCREW Ecoboost 6.5' bed F150. Needless to say it has the shudder problem that alot of other people are experiencing. I have done extensive post searches on this site and as of yet have not found a definitive cure for the shudder problem.
I have taken my truck into the dealer twice now without success.
First visit they shimmed the shaft. They may have also reflashed the module but it doesn't say so on the work order. The shimming made it a little better but still very noticable when towing and is still there under normal driving.
Visit #2 at dealership I met with Service Manager and he openly admits Ford has a problem with this make of truck. He himself worked on my vehicle and added more shims per Fords recommendation. Ford also wanted the shop to match it up to anothjer truck of the same model that wasn't having the problem. Is there such a truck of the same model without the shudder ??? probably not.
Now after the second visit and additional shims I have a second vibration in addition to the take off vibration. It is very noticable on deceleration and feels like the knuckle or pinion is out of alignment. the result is a very slight fast vibration.
I want to know what you think I should do next. I will take it back to the shop and have them remove the last set of shims from Visit #2. I plan on calling the Ford Hotline and opening a case. The service manager states to do that and they will call him for the perticulars of the work done already.
Should I just settle for a lifetime drivetrain warranty from Ford if they offer it or should I insist on repairing truck or Lemon Law.
Really need to here from people and they're experiences.
Any info is much appreciated
Glenn

 

NO ONE!
TTT

 

My 2012 has 7300 miles and no shudder or vibes at any speed. Maybe my butt just isn't as sensitive as others, but mine has been smooth as silk.

 

I think it's only a problem with the 6.5' bed. My truck is going back for the third time to the dealership to remove hsims that caused an additional vibration.
Buy back vs. lemon law vs. lifetime drivetrain warranty??? Opened a case with Ford today waiting to here back about what they want to do next.

 

Ok, my experience has been the tires it comes with are poo like and don't help matters at all. I also went in and whined and they changed out my driveshaft, helped a bit but not too much.
My work requires me to load her down pretty heavy with wire and other materials as well as tools and I visited a spring guy who suggested I add a leaf to the back pack to allow for more weight carrying and at least to stop the rapid decay of the light springs out back.
He did a nice job at about $200 per side and the shudder is a thing of the past now.
It is possible I am used to it but every now and then I wait for it to happen and nothing so I think I am cured.
Not suggesting this will cure every shudder and really should the average owner have to fork out to have it fixed? I had to and really I am glad I did... came from a diesel excursion so the bar was set pretty high for load carrying and pulling.
Oh and it trailers much better now as well.

 

Adding a leaf, replacing the whole spring pack for an aftermarket pack, and Roadmaster Active Suspension will stop the take-off shudder on most trucks. What all of those have in common is that the end user has to pay for them. I went RAS on mine. So far its been good. I was going to add something anyway because I don't like how it squats with a load.

 

I went back to the dealer for the third time yesterday and they removed the last set of shims they put in. That cured the rotational vibration. The service manager is gong to talk with Ford to see if they will cough up a Drivetrain warranty. My intent at this point is to install a leveling bellow kit in the rear end and that should fix the problem. I guess in the end I am disappointed that Ford is striving for mediocrity. I seriously thought they we're better than this.
I guess it will be up to me to cover the cost of the fix. I don't see Ford buying me a bellow kit

 

Air bags may not fix the issue at hand. They will help a great deal when loaded heavy or towing but these fords really need something that keeps the rear springs from bending like an "S". I'm also surprised that ford lets these trucks leave the factory like that. Even some of the ford 3/4 ton diesels have this problem.

 

From reading previous threads on this, it seems like those who have two-piece drive shafts are the ones who have most of the trouble.

 

My understanding is the only (SCrew) with a single piece driveshaft is the 5.5ft 4wd.

 

i don't think airbags would help a bit ...

this is a spring problem, specifically spring wrap. as stated above, the only ones who have fixed it did so by adding spring rate to the rear leafs.

if there were an ad-a-leaf that you could bolt on the front half of the spring pack, that would likely cure the issue as well.

as said above, ford should be able to figure this out and send out a TSB for a fix on thier dime; the consumer should not have to pay to fix ford's poor design. bottom line, they compromised too much on ride. long soft leafs ride nice, but with the massive bottom end torque these trucks have, they also get wrapped up and shudder. they need more spring in the leaf to control the spring wrap.

now, if the airbag mounted to the spring in front of the axle far enough, it might help ... but other than that, i don't see it helping with this problem.

 

I wonder if it would be just as good to install the long ladder bars (or whatever they are called) that the diesel guys use to get traction when dirt pulling. I see those same things on turbocharged Chevy trucks for traction too.

 

might be talking about old-school slapper bars?

I've thought about those, but visions of a guy with a mullet driving a 1978 Z-28 kept flashing through my head ... so i didn't suggest them

i hate to even say this .... but .... JCWhitney has some half-length add-a-leaf's for about$35 for the 09&up's. they would bolt on under the spring pack ahead of the axle. they are listed as a 1000lbs additional carrying, but that's not really the point.

i'm wondering .... i know this problem plagues the long-box SCREW's the most. but i'm wondering if the truck with the Max Payload package are any better than the ones without. (cant remember)

in theory, the Max Payload would help, as it has more rear spring.

 

I have that vibration - slightly - but only when I load the rear axle to near it's limits, like with more than 1,500 lbs in the bed. With no or light loads, the vibe is completely gone / non existent. The reason probably is that I have the much stiffer HD payload rear springs. Maybe ask the dealer to install a set of those? I am sure it would solve the problem for you.

 

i found this on u-tube:
dodge cummins AXLE WRAP .. - YouTube

forgive the brand infraction (and the dufus at the front of the video) but it gives a very good idea of what is going on with these trucks. if you look close you can actually see the vibration you are feeling.

i don't think the fords wrap up near this bad, but this makes it very clear to see. And, this is why i think a half-spring in front of the axle would help in most cases.

i do think that ford should be paying for it though ....