Nagging Issues....
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Joined: Mar 2011
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Nagging Issues....
As with so many of our 20 year old Excursions, mine's got a few nagging issues that I need to sort out. (This thread is a result of Dave's suggestion here, Thanks, DaveTN)
The biggest concern is a vibration that comes in at about 60 MPH. Since this first appeared, I've done brakes all around, and rear bearings and seals. All of the brake system's flex lines were replaced a couple hundred miles ago. This is not a front end issue as it comes through the body, not the steering wheel. At 50 there's no hint of on issue but at 60 it's so bad you really don't want to be in the truck. The tires are Michelin XLTs, with less than 15,000 miles on them.
The intermittent restraint code suggests it's in the passenger side. Checked plugs and wiring and they look OK. I guess the pretensioner is next?
The intermittent ABS light is fairly new, and started after all of the flex lines were replaced. The system was bled when the lines were replaced and the pedal feels good.
Any thoughts on what to check or what to replace next?
Thanks!
~Bass
The biggest concern is a vibration that comes in at about 60 MPH. Since this first appeared, I've done brakes all around, and rear bearings and seals. All of the brake system's flex lines were replaced a couple hundred miles ago. This is not a front end issue as it comes through the body, not the steering wheel. At 50 there's no hint of on issue but at 60 it's so bad you really don't want to be in the truck. The tires are Michelin XLTs, with less than 15,000 miles on them.
The intermittent restraint code suggests it's in the passenger side. Checked plugs and wiring and they look OK. I guess the pretensioner is next?
The intermittent ABS light is fairly new, and started after all of the flex lines were replaced. The system was bled when the lines were replaced and the pedal feels good.
Any thoughts on what to check or what to replace next?
Thanks!
~Bass
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 889
Likes: 1
From: Ithaca
Ha funny thing Im dealing with a very similar vibration and intermittent ABS light. The light appears to be a wire shorting out my mechanic says. the vibration seems to be the rear drive shaft. i replaced the single u-joint that was bad it helped but didnt completely take care of vibration. I took the drive-shaft to a driveline shop and they built a new drive-shaft saying it was so rusty and the double cardigan u-joint was bad. helped but still vibrating. I checked everything else and back to the driveshaft the one u-joint was all sloppy replaced it again. got better but not like it used to be. I gave up for a while drove from upstate NY to Florida Keys and back approx 3600 miles found a sweet spot around 74-79 mph. Im gonna take the stupid thing off again and bring it to a different drive line shop and have it balanced again. Hope this helps you. Every other time Ive had a vibration it was a tire.
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Joined: Mar 2011
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Thanks. The tires have been rotated and balanced since the vibration set in, with no change. And like your vibration, it does settle a bit about 75 MPH, but it's still enough to be an irritant. Pulling the boat (adding weight to the back) doesn't change a thing. And the rear u-joint was changed a while back, but that doesn't mean it couldn't have gone bad again. I'll check that!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 150
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Sometimes balancing isn't enough on drivelines. I had a alum shaft in My Mach 1 it was twisted big time from To much fun in a no fun zone. So we only have 1 driveshaft shop for 50 miles (keeps him pretty busy) He whipped a up new shaft, faster than he could straighten and balance the old one. Heck it was stron,g lite, and cheaper than OEM alum. replacement. Mike/EZ
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 1,576
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There are other rotating parts beside the wheels that can be out of balance (like the rotors and hubs). I use centramatic tire balancers on most of my stuff (including the excursion) and they work pretty dang good (link below). While they are called tire balancers , they'll also balance anything rotating in that plane (rotors, drums, hubs, axle shafts, etc.). They obviously won't fix bad/ loose parts, but if its just a rotating imbalance at the wheel causing the vibrations, they work great.
https://www.centramatic.com/wheel-ba...Number=300-318
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https://www.centramatic.com/wheel-ba...Number=300-318
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,407
Likes: 155
From: Milwaukee, WI
There are other rotating parts beside the wheels that can be out of balance (like the rotors and hubs). I use centramatic tire balancers on most of my stuff (including the excursion) and they work pretty dang good (link below). While they are called tire balancers , they'll also balance anything rotating in that plane (rotors, drums, hubs, axle shafts, etc.). They obviously won't fix bad/ loose parts, but if its just a rotating imbalance at the wheel causing the vibrations, they work great.
https://www.centramatic.com/wheel-ba...Number=300-318
...
https://www.centramatic.com/wheel-ba...Number=300-318
...
Thanks,
Jasonodsky
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2023
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They're galvanized or galvanic coated at least. I don't live where road salt and rust is really a thing (south Texas), so I can't comment on that from personal experience.
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Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Houston, Texas
Y'all may find this odd, but service your rear diff if you haven't already. Mine was noise and had a vibration telling me the additive package was gone.
I serviced my rear diff, added two bottles of the Ford Limited slip additive and after a run up the freeway, the noise and vibration were gone. I still need shocks but otherwise the truck drives worlds better.
I serviced my rear diff, added two bottles of the Ford Limited slip additive and after a run up the freeway, the noise and vibration were gone. I still need shocks but otherwise the truck drives worlds better.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,997
Likes: 206
From: South Eastern Michigan
I had a high speed vibration and decided to have a look. Rear brakes were shot, replaced, 90% of the vibration gone.
Also, been toying with the centrimatics, had them on my dually years ago and they work great!
Also, been toying with the centrimatics, had them on my dually years ago and they work great!
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 150
Likes: 10
I use ceramic balancing beads in everything, so smooth. I have not used anything else in years. Back in the 70's I worked the copper mines in AZ. The foreman would have me fill the mine equipment tires with water. These tires were 2 stories tall, they would never fit on a balancer of any kind. Mike/EZ
Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 61
From: Florida and Tennessee
Don't forget leaf spring bushings and body bushings and pinion bearings. In addition... Tires can go bad without being out of balance too. I use centromeric balancers too. I need to get my drive shaft balanced.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2011
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I had it checked and it's not the driveshaft. The harmonics are all wrong. And there seems to be a connection to the brakes, despite rebuilding both rears, with new calipers, and replacing all 5 flex hoses. Keep the speed under 50 and she behaves pretty well run down the road at 50 or so and when you touch the brake there's a bad shaking through the body. The steering wheel is calm. Drive over 60 and the vibration sets in without touching the brakes.
It sounds to me like one (or both) of the rear calipers are dragging ever so slightly....
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