Acceleration Shudder
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Joined: Jul 2003
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Acceleration Shudder
I have a 2003 F250 4x4 that I just had a Pro Comp 6.5" lift and BFG AT KO 315/75R16 tires installed. I am very pleased with the outcome, only there is shudder under initial acceleration that I have been told is caused by the drive shaft angle. It goes away once I reach about 10 mph. Is there anything that can be done to lessen or eliminate it?
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 439
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From: Burnsville, MN
Acceleration Shudder
It is is the angle, then you will have to correct the angles. Not only will this eliminate the shutter, but your u-joints will last longer as well. I have never lifted a truck and this is but one reason, you should probably talk to your lifter, vendor or somebody else here on remdial options.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,245
Likes: 1
From: IL, USA
Acceleration Shudder
What is your cab and bed configuration??
Sounds like you have a two piece rear shaft with a carrier bearing in the middle. If that's the case the carrier bearing will need to be shimmed down. This should eliiminate most of the vibration. Some trucks are more difficult than others.....and on some you may never eliminate all of the vibration.
Another more expensive option is an aftermarket one or two piece rear driveshaft.
Hope this helps.
Welcome to FTE
Sounds like you have a two piece rear shaft with a carrier bearing in the middle. If that's the case the carrier bearing will need to be shimmed down. This should eliiminate most of the vibration. Some trucks are more difficult than others.....and on some you may never eliminate all of the vibration.
Another more expensive option is an aftermarket one or two piece rear driveshaft.
Hope this helps.
Welcome to FTE
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,253
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From: Del Rio, Texas USA
Acceleration Shudder
you can shim it to get most of the vibs gone.. However.. take a look at what your "carrier bearing" is made of sometime when you have it down... It is a rubber donut that surrounds the bearing to allow minor flex, due to severe strain at that point..STOCK..........Now add lift and tires and when you initially accelerate there is way more torque but on that rubber donut... Anyway ive riddin in trucks with 6" that did seem to suffer this on normal accereleration.. but every truck with 8" or more ive ridden in suffered from this...... the bearing jumps flexes all around in that donut and gives you that shutter.... Go down and talk to your local driveline shop, they can give you some pointers but they will advise you the only way to fix it is to go one piece rear driveline..
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 466
Likes: 1
Acceleration Shudder
I tried to shim mine out with diff shim configs and never got rid of it. High angle driveline made me a 1 piece which shipped out yesturday. Cant wait to try it out. exact same scenario(stopped doing it at 10mph and up).
MotoX
MotoX
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 74
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From: Virginia
Acceleration Shudder
It took 4 shims on mine to eliminate the shudder, you will need to install one then test drive, then add another if the shudder is still there and so on. You can order the shim kit from Jack-It or most for wheel drive wholesalers or if you are crafty with metal...you could make your own.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,153
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From: Roseburg OR.
Acceleration Shudder
Mine is 1 big like 4" piece of steel shaped like a "C" kinda like channel iron but more rounded. What you need to do is unbolt the carrier bearing and have a friend help you and lower it down intil it's straight at the center u-joint (no angle). Then measure how much gap you have and make a bracket that size. Then it will be as good as it can be. If in doubt go a little big.
Mine is the stock Superlift bracket that came with my lift and I actually have a little reverse angle on the center u-joint. I think the bracket is for a CC short bed and mine is a long bed so it drops it a little too much but mine is free of the shudders. Some can be cured and it seems like others have had no luck getting them fixed without going to a 1 piece. I believe if you get it lowered enough you can get the vibs and shudders cured. Mine did.
Mine is the stock Superlift bracket that came with my lift and I actually have a little reverse angle on the center u-joint. I think the bracket is for a CC short bed and mine is a long bed so it drops it a little too much but mine is free of the shudders. Some can be cured and it seems like others have had no luck getting them fixed without going to a 1 piece. I believe if you get it lowered enough you can get the vibs and shudders cured. Mine did.
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 466
Likes: 1
Acceleration Shudder
I think i couldnt fix mine because of the edge rear springs tilted my rear diff up so the rear u joint is out of phase with the front one. Dont know but makes the most sense to me.
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