Notices
2023+ Super Duty The 2023+ Ford F250, F350, F450, F550 & F600 Super Duty Pickup and Chassis Cab

PSA: drivetrain vibration

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 24, 2026 | 04:58 PM
  #1  
StrongHandRich's Avatar
StrongHandRich
Thread Starter
|
7th Gear
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 7
Likes: 8
PSA: drivetrain vibration

I’ve had a drivetrain vibration since the truck was new. 11.6 axle with 4.30 gears. Almost inaudible, but sounds like wumm wumm wumm at speeds between 68 and 75.

Peak was at 73. Most people in the truck couldn’t pick up on it, and the service manager at the local dealer said it needed the factory wheels and tires put back on (it was on the stock wheels and tires and this was 100% different from a tire vibration). I sweet talked the service writer into getting a driveshaft for it and there was no change.

anyways, ford specifies the u joint angles at the tcase and pinion should be equal, or not more than 1* different. (For a 1 piece driveshaft)

Mine measured 4.7 on the tcase, and 3.2 on the pinion.

measured a bunch of other super duties in the fleet where i work and found them to be .3-.4* different front to rear, with the largest variation being .7*.

I put in a set of 1* shims I ordered from ford and vibration is gone. 4.7* at transfer case and 4.4* on the pinion is where it ended up.

here is the ford part number: 8C3Z5A313C
 

Last edited by StrongHandRich; May 24, 2026 at 05:16 PM.
Reply
Old May 24, 2026 | 09:52 PM
  #2  
esolcz's Avatar
esolcz
5th Wheeling
20 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 36
Likes: 5
Good for future reference. Thanks! Ed
 
Reply
Old May 24, 2026 | 11:58 PM
  #3  
brandon4's Avatar
brandon4
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,768
Likes: 403
From: Logan, Utah
Thank you for putting in the work on this. Good to know.
 
Reply
Old May 25, 2026 | 06:44 AM
  #4  
Buck-350's Avatar
Buck-350
Mountain Pass
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 102
Likes: 52
From: ATL
Originally Posted by StrongHandRich;[url=tel:21833443
21833443[/url]]I’ve had a drivetrain vibration since the truck was new. 11.6 axle with 4.30 gears. Almost inaudible, but sounds like wumm wumm wumm at speeds between 68 and 75.

Peak was at 73. Most people in the truck couldn’t pick up on it, and the service manager at the local dealer said it needed the factory wheels and tires put back on (it was on the stock wheels and tires and this was 100% different from a tire vibration). I sweet talked the service writer into getting a driveshaft for it and there was no change.

anyways, ford specifies the u joint angles at the tcase and pinion should be equal, or not more than 1* different. (For a 1 piece driveshaft)

Mine measured 4.7 on the tcase, and 3.2 on the pinion.

measured a bunch of other super duties in the fleet where i work and found them to be .3-.4* different front to rear, with the largest variation being .7*.

I put in a set of 1* shims I ordered from ford and vibration is gone. 4.7* at transfer case and 4.4* on the pinion is where it ended up.

here is the ford part number: 8C3Z5A313C
Helpful post thanks!👍👍


The shop foreman at my servicing dealership found through trial and error that 1 degree shims helped mitigate that pinion noise on my 2022 (not 100% but darn close). This is after doing a complete rear end rebuild (under warranty) that did nothing to help. $20 in parts would have resolved the issue. I suggested this but Ford has its “process”.

I have the same issue on my 24 with 7.3/4.30 gears. This only shows up when running empty or not pulling a trailer. It’s repeatable mostly above 70mph- most noticeable off throttle (coasting or throttle tip in). You can hear the ring gear cyclic noise. This is made worse by the aluminum bed which resonates that noise like a megaphone. When you add about 500lbs over the axle, noise goes away- which tells me with some weight will point the pinion angle into optimal operating range. I believe it’s set up this way from the factory to account for axle wrap under a loaded suspension for using the trucks intended purpose of towing heavy sh-t.

I need to add the shims to my 24, just been reluctant to take by the dealer to get it done cause they usually screw something else up when they work on my truck.

Maybe someone will post up a how -to with some pictures so we can diy.

 
Reply
Old May 25, 2026 | 10:19 AM
  #5  
NorEasterMA's Avatar
NorEasterMA
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 22
From: MA
I had a similar issue with my 2026 F350 (long bed, 1-piece driveshaft) after replacing the baby leaf pack with a beefier leaf pack. This increased the angles from carrier bearing to rear axle and gave me a vibration around 75. I slowed added carrier bearing shims at .25" and drove it until it was gone. Ended up taking about 1" of shims to correct the angle and vibration. All about those shims and spacers! Thanks for documenting your issue too!
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2026 | 07:23 AM
  #6  
cpobst's Avatar
cpobst
Cargo Master
Veteran: Air Force
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 1,204
From: Southeast MO
Are you guys shimming between the axle housing and spring blocks or the carrier bearing or both? I know the carrier bearing was mentioned but I also read about shimming the axle housing?
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2026 | 03:29 PM
  #7  
Buck-350's Avatar
Buck-350
Mountain Pass
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2022
Posts: 102
Likes: 52
From: ATL
Originally Posted by cpobst;[url=tel:21835581
21835581[/url]]Are you guys shimming between the axle housing and spring blocks or the carrier bearing or both? I know the carrier bearing was mentioned but I also read about shimming the axle housing?
The above shim is for the axle block.

I also have a question for the OP- did you place the shim skinny end forward?
 
Reply
Old May 28, 2026 | 07:14 PM
  #8  
StrongHandRich's Avatar
StrongHandRich
Thread Starter
|
7th Gear
Joined: Nov 2025
Posts: 7
Likes: 8
Originally Posted by cpobst
Are you guys shimming between the axle housing and spring blocks or the carrier bearing or both? I know the carrier bearing was mentioned but I also read about shimming the axle housing?
Originally Posted by Buck-350
The above shim is for the axle block.

I also have a question for the OP- did you place the shim skinny end forward?

in my case I have a one piece driveshaft so no carrier bearing.

the shims went in between the spring pack and the factory block, thin part forward to raise the pinion.

I highly recommend measuring your angles before you do this, I use a Klein digital angle cube thing.

measure off the flat spot on the back of the transfer case, or the slip yoke at the front of the driveshaft, then measure the diff on the flat vertical part of the cover, or if you can, on the pinion yoke.

keep the angle cube oriented the same for each measurement (ie, right side up vs upside down), as mine will read a couple tenths off if you flip it over, which matters in this scenario.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Sanchadog
2017 - 2022 Super Duty
74
Nov 13, 2019 08:19 PM
wanta79
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
Apr 13, 2010 01:48 PM
RFD_Truckie
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
5
Dec 11, 2009 08:55 AM
dave91gt
Excursion - King of SUVs
15
Apr 4, 2009 08:37 PM
Sporto
1966 - 1977 Early Broncos
5
Jul 11, 2005 04:28 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:52 PM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE