Vibrations in 5th
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2023
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Vibrations in 5th
Hey all!
Newish truck owner here hoping to get a little help. I bought a 96 f-150, 300 I6, manual 4x4 with around 320k kms on it. Ive had a rather uncomfortable development at high speeds. I usually shift into 5th around 80-90kph and for the first months it worked fine. However recently when I shift into 5th now I feel severe vibrations like I'm running on a flat almost, this goes away after a minute or 2 and if I dip back down into 80-90 range it does not appear. I've taken 4th up to 100-110 and there's nothing the same.
I also have a sheer metal scraping/screeching noise only at highway speeds, my exhaust is gone past the cat. I have seen threads saying it could be the heat shield around the cat making that noise but I'm also curious if it could be related.
I just did a trans fluid change less than 1000km ago and I didn't see any large chunks in the fluid or on the plug only a buildup of small flakes and filings.
Would anyone know why I'm experiencing this? Ive never had anything like it before and I'm kinda stumped.
If you have any questions I'll happily clarify.
Thanks!
Newish truck owner here hoping to get a little help. I bought a 96 f-150, 300 I6, manual 4x4 with around 320k kms on it. Ive had a rather uncomfortable development at high speeds. I usually shift into 5th around 80-90kph and for the first months it worked fine. However recently when I shift into 5th now I feel severe vibrations like I'm running on a flat almost, this goes away after a minute or 2 and if I dip back down into 80-90 range it does not appear. I've taken 4th up to 100-110 and there's nothing the same.
I also have a sheer metal scraping/screeching noise only at highway speeds, my exhaust is gone past the cat. I have seen threads saying it could be the heat shield around the cat making that noise but I'm also curious if it could be related.
I just did a trans fluid change less than 1000km ago and I didn't see any large chunks in the fluid or on the plug only a buildup of small flakes and filings.
Would anyone know why I'm experiencing this? Ive never had anything like it before and I'm kinda stumped.
If you have any questions I'll happily clarify.
Thanks!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,664
Likes: 219
From: Northwest
Did the vibration come on suddenly or did it develop over a few weeks ?
First thoughts:
Tires out of balance or different diameter tires on the truck. Could be setting up a harmonic vibration.
U joints... Need to verify you don't have a bad one developing.
Front end wear / Death Wobble
First thoughts:
Tires out of balance or different diameter tires on the truck. Could be setting up a harmonic vibration.
U joints... Need to verify you don't have a bad one developing.
Front end wear / Death Wobble
Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Did the vibration come on suddenly or did it develop over a few weeks ?
First thoughts:
Tires out of balance or different diameter tires on the truck. Could be setting up a harmonic vibration.
U joints... Need to verify you don't have a bad one developing.
Front end wear / Death Wobble
First thoughts:
Tires out of balance or different diameter tires on the truck. Could be setting up a harmonic vibration.
U joints... Need to verify you don't have a bad one developing.
Front end wear / Death Wobble
Is there a way I can verify if a ujoint is bad without moving? I know what they sound like and I've seen videos of them sticking but obviously that's when it's moving.
It could be a balance issue my tires are the same size. My steering wheel is out of alignment too, although I'm not sure how that would effect it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,118
Likes: 149
From: South Dakota
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Tuned
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 400
Likes: 57
From: Saskatchewan
You say this only happens in 5th gear. Same speeds in 4th gear and no vibration, only vibration when in 5th. Is that correct? If it was wheel balance, u-joints, or some other chassis thing, then it should not be related to what gear the trans is in, only vehicle speed. Always good to check and service the u-joints.
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Thread Starter
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5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Thanks everyone for the help!
Aside from my original description over the last week the problem had progressed to 4th as well around 85kph.
I was able to get under it today and try the FWD u-joint and that is DEFINITELY the issue. It has a lot of play and moves freely. Gonna get that fixed and it should be good as new.
You have all been helpful so thank you so much for your time and expertise!
Aside from my original description over the last week the problem had progressed to 4th as well around 85kph.
I was able to get under it today and try the FWD u-joint and that is DEFINITELY the issue. It has a lot of play and moves freely. Gonna get that fixed and it should be good as new.
You have all been helpful so thank you so much for your time and expertise!
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nsshirai
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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May 30, 2005 01:26 PM