I have a 2003 F-150 with a vibration at 35 to42 m.p.h. Dealer has changed 3 sets of tires, two wheels, and a new drive shaft. It is still there. Any thoughts on correcting this? Dealer states this is "normal" for this truck. The vibration is felt in the seat, not a in the steering. Thanks.

 

Hi badvibes and welcome

Is your truck a 4x4 or 4x2? Long or short box? 7700?
Have you driven another identical truck to compare?
Vibrations can be very hard to diagnose, even harder to diagnose on here, but we'll try

 

I have the same vibrations on my '01 F150 4X4 Off Road Lariat Extended cab Short bed Step side with 27,500 miles on it. The truck also has a roll top bed cover, a WAAG brush gaurd, a bug deflector, window wind deflectors and a bedrug bed liner. I have raised the front 2" with the torsion bars , had the factory tires and wheels looked at several times and just went to some American Eagle #102's, 16X8 rims with a set of 285/75R16 Bridgestone Duellers. Same vibration. Will talk to the dealer again now that I know it is not the wheels and tires.

Also, just as a side note, when they did the alignment for the new tires, the only thing that was off was the toe in, which is not changed by the torsion bars. Tire wear on the factories was very even.(Factory cast 17's are for sale with fair factory tires)

 

It is a 4x2, short bed. I have a loaner now, that has the same vibrations, although these will go away upon acceleration. The
dealer called today and said that there has been a serivce bulletin out on this "but they had missed it". Now awaiting parts to fix what the factory calls "galloping vibration". I asked exactly what parts are going to correct this, and they replied that they are curious themselves. I find it hard to believe that thousands of F150 owners accepted these vibrations as "normal". and it took four trips to the service department to get an answer, and a vague one at that. I keep this forum posted on the outcome.

 

Do you have any numbers or more info on the service bulletin. My dealer is scheduling mine in for inspection and has not seen the bulletin.

 

The truck is back and the vibration is gone! They installed a vibration dampner as per TSB02 21 11. Part #'s,F85z-17E834-aa. -N804525-S427, and EOAZ-19554-BA. This was done under warranty, and they also replaced the B.F. Goodrich P275/60R17 with the same size Michelins. Apparently the Michelins work better, since they stated that some vibration was still felt after installation of the dampner. The loner vehicle had Generals, and it too had a vibration. Hope this will help.

 

Thanks a million................. Darn board comes thru again.

 

hello badvibes,
do you know what the vibration dampner was and where they installed it?
i have a 97 f150 and it is doing the same thing at around
42-45 mph. thanks

 

I just talked to Ford. According to the TSB, which they gave me a copy of, it is an item that goes in the area of the rear bumper. All they have to remove is the rear bumber to install the dampner.

 

Azpete,
i called one of the ford dealers, and they did not know
anything about it. can you post the TSB number that they
gave you a copy of. and do you know if this kit is for years
other than the 2003? thanks

 

TSB # 02-21-11 Titled Ride - Harsh Ride-Cab/Body osicillation/Bounce - Highway speeds - 4X2 Models Only 97-02 Article 98-8-12 is being republished to update the model year coverage. The TSB publication date is Oct 21, 2002. My dealer has not looked at my truck yet but says this is for 4X2, (mine is 4X4) and that it pertains to "highway" speeds (my complaint is at 40 - 45 mph). We will have to see what progresses.

 

Thanks for the info azpete,
please post any info you find out about this.
i have a '97 4x4 with the same speed range vibration/shimmy
that you are having.

 

I have the exact same problem with my 99 F150 4x4 with 70k miles. between 40-48mph and I find it again at about 65-70mph. I feel better now, knowing that other people have the same problem. I spent a total of $700 trying to fix my vibrations. New tires dont do it. Neither do u-joints.

If anybody ever finds a fix, PLEASE let me know too.

 

I am in the middle of working with Ford now. So far, They have ruled out the tires and wheels, and have installed the above listed TSB parts. That removed SOME of the vibration. (They had special permission from Ford to do the TSB install since it is only for 4X2's and mine is a 4X4.) Still had about 40% left. They have now ordered new axles because they say they found one of mine just a bit out of tolerance. They will be installed on Tues. We shall see. When they put my truck back together on Thurs. while waiting for the parts, it changed in the vibration. It has a wider speed range now and a different "feel". This axle thing may be it.

I did have a not to pleaseant dealing with the Service Manager here but when I offered to leave this dealership totally, my salesman convinced me to try again. I have not been in the same room with that Service manager since. I arrive at the dealer, he goes into the back. I have also had problems with getting a decent loaner car. They always offer this trashed out Tempo and I come back with needing a truck. They then gave me a Grand Marque, nice but still not a truck. This last time, I told my salesman that "I don'y know if you think I am BSing you or not. One big reason I bought a truck is because of a bad back from the military. I have a hard time in a car. I will find my own ride. " Went for a test ride with the mechanic before he went to work on my truck and when I got back, I had a '98 F150 4X4 XLT supercab to drive as a loaner. And........ it has the same vibration!!!!!!!

Will post updates as they come.