I'm new to this forum and I'm basically writing to see if any one else out there has had the same problems I have had with my 04 F150.

First I must say, I'm no truck expert... I do my own maintaining ie. oil/filter changes every 3,000 and am very **** when it comes to my trucks... incidently this is my 3rd F150 I have owned. (a 1994, 1998, and the 2004) and have never had this problem before.

I first fell in love with the new design, both interior and out, but was sold on the ride and quietness of the cab. Many upgrades from my previous 1998 F150. The automatic volume control on the audio is pretty cool!

but... owners beware! I first starting feeling the rear end bounce up and down at 55mph, thinking it was the balance or flat spots in the truck's tires. Then one day, the entire truck began vibrating beyond belief! I had to pull over and stop. This began in the rear and went through the entire truck in a matter of seconds.

I took it back and they told me it's a problem Ford is having with the rear end in the 04 F150's, Navigators, and Excurtions. Something to do with the rear differential. They rebuilt the rear end with only 1000 miles on it, a 6 hour job!

Now 3 weeks later and only 2000 miles, the rear end is dripping (slowly) on my garage floor. It's going back tomorrow for the seal to be replaced.

I pretty much want to give it back and buy a Tundra..... fat chance of that, lemon law in NH requires 3 strikes before arbitration.

Any one else had this problem or heard of it happening to others?

 

You never said if the repair fixed your vibration problem. A leak at the rear differential is not a very good reason to sell or make a "lemon-law" claim.

 

sorry bout that... no it did not vibrate again like it did on that day, but... the driverside rear-end still continues to bounce ocasionally on flat surfaces. Right around 50-55mph I can see it in my side mirror go up and down then it plains out over 55.

Your right about the Lemon Law thing, I guess I'm just upset over the 1000 mile problem I have run into, I'm still a "Ford Man" and will continue to be.

 

After the dealer re-built the rear end in mine (twice) I was told they would not be re-building any of the rear ends in the F-150, they were replaceing the whole axle assembly.

 

Kennedy, did they install the vibration suppression kit? It helps with the bed bouncing like you described but doesn't do a thing for the driveline vibration.

 

not that I'm aware of... is this a free thing? If so I'll ask for it tonight when I bring it back. At first I thought it was the tires, they're Generals... of which I have never purchased before and always thought they were crap tires. A friend told me that they're actually pretty good tires.

 

My vibration situation (sorry so long):

I have a 2004 Scab 4x4 and had both the nibble and the driveline clunk/vibration. The first trip to the dealer, my truck was there 9 days while they tried various things to resolve the nibble (tires, alignment, etc). They then replaced the steering gear. I still have the nibble (getting worse) and now the steering wheel is no longer centered. The Service Director stated no one could feel or hear the clunk.

I took it back a week later with the same issues. This time it was out for 5 more days, while the dealer replaced both the driveshaft and rear differential. As far as the steering wheel shimmy, the tires were road force balanced and a new tire. The clunk is resolved, but the shimmy remains.

The dealer has stated there is absolutely nothing else they can do until Ford comes up with a fix (other than the steering gear). Service will not discuss this any further with me.

I can't lemon law this truck without one more Repair Request form from the dealer and they are not cooperating

 

I that case you request the repair in writing, then have them respond that there is no fix. That should cover your bases.

 

Kennedy,

I see you posted twice, and with a little different information here. All you have to have done is get the "vibration damper" installed. It will fix it to ride just like any other pick up. Read my reply in your other post for more detail.

 

how much do those cost... and do they have them at VIP?

 

It is covered under warranty. NO cost to you

 

Oh yes follow up on mine. They just installed the vibration damper.....and they found two leaks at the O-rings front condenser. They are road testing now........I might actually have AC now!

 

They just called me back too... they fixed the seal leak in the rear end and are now replacing one of my rear tires, they think it's the driverside tire causing the problem. I'm calling them now to ask about this damper thing... thanks again.

 

Went for a drive with the dealer's customer relations manager and the service manager today. They agreed to load force balance the tires (again) and to machine the brake rotors for a vibration when braking.

While they were doing that the customer relations guy pulled out a new 4x2 Lariat with same options and tires as mine. We took it for a test drive. The darn thing vibrated worse than mine and had really bad steering wheel shimmy. I told him if I was a prospective customer I would definitely not purchase that truck. He said he wouldn't either and was going to have service dept. look at the truck.

In the end they really think the vibration in my truck is within a normal range. He said my claim with the Dispute Settlement board may not go anywhere since the driveability of the truck isn't effected.

I'm going to drive the competing brands (except the fugly Chevy) before deciding what to do next.

 

My rear end is starting hop, grinding noise, shudder at highs speeds.... it happens when I get off the gas and get back on it ...its sounds like a grinding noise and its hops??? any ideas