If you suspect you've got a vibration in your driveline, would it be easiest to put the truck on jack stands, pull the rear wheels (just to rule out tire or wheel imbalance), and spin the rear (i.e. truck on, put it in drive and spin it up) to see if the vibration still exists?

I've got a vibration and I'm damn sure it's coming from the driveline...but the dealer keeps saying it's the tires. This morning I did put the truck on stands, remove the rear tires, and spin the driveline, and the vibration was still there. I'd just like to know if this is a good way of pinpointing the vibes.

 

Hey, I have a brand new 2003 F-250, 4 door, short bed, V10 and I have just spent the last 3 months chasing down a similar vibration. I didn't give in and they finally sent out the field service engineer. Here was my problem: noticed a vibration in the rear end at take off. Contacted dealer and was told that they could shim the carrier bearing to address this concern (drive line angles). When they shimmed the carrier it did do away with the vibration at take-off, but then created an awful vibration and noise when I would get it between 70-80 mph (worst at 75). To summarize, after 3 dealerships, a total of 4 weeks in the shop, and a visit from the field service engineer, I was told to pick my poison (live with the high end or low end vibration). Superduties have a two piece drive line and they have an admitted design flaw (vibration). Told to not worry about it, live with it, I would be covered if any thing related happened to it, etc (was also told that it is not just the 2003s). I did ask to drive a couple of new trucks off of the lot and sure enough they had the same vibration at take-off. I am going to contact Ford (customer service - corporate headquarters) and let them know that this customer does not like living with things like this, especially when I spent as much as I did on this truck. Good luck and maybe this info will help you in comming to a resolution.

 

Thanks for the reply, it's terrible how Ford is treating you!! I feel your pain because I'm at wits end with my current dealer! I've even dealt with the serivce manager and he's a dolt. I never had any vibration issues until about two weeks ago and I've had my truck since late Feb. of '02. I'm going to switch dealerships after I get the parts on order from my current terrible dealer. I can't believe dealers treat customers this way...'living with it' is unacceptable!!