A newbie's vibrations (long)
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New User
Joined: May 2004
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Sitting in this crappy motel room, I have a few minutes this morning before heading to work, so here's an update on my truck.
Yesterday, I traveled 200 miles to a new job site, driving some Interstate, but mostly two lane county roads. The truck continues to exhibit a nasty vibration, and it's getting worse with increased mileage.
The new driveshaft and steering rack did little to help the situation, the vibration can now be felt at any rolling speed, peaking at 60 mph, and smoothing somewhat at 75 mph.
I can see the change in vibration amplitudes by observing the surface of a 2/3 full water bottle, sitting in one of the center folding console cup holders, the ripples are like you would see when pitching a rock into a small pond.
(you try it and let us know your observation)
Worse, the truck suspension is upset by any road irregularity, expansion strips cause the truck to pitch and yaw. Major disturbances are a particular safety hazard as the truck actually moves to the left or right in the lane, requiring major steering corrections. As a pilot, I liken this to trying to land a light plane (Cessna 152) in a 40 mph cross wind, the plane moves around its polar axis, pointing its nose to the left and the right with each wind gust.
Would this be a warranty issue, I might be able to mentally endure more shop time. BUT, I have now come to realize that the the handing and vibration problems are the result of a bad design. I know, it's unbelievable that Ford, with a mighty R&D budget, millions of dollars in CAD and computer simulation equipment, the same company that gave us the GT40, original Mustang, and other fine designs could produce such an ill-handling beast.
Oh well, off to work.
Yesterday, I traveled 200 miles to a new job site, driving some Interstate, but mostly two lane county roads. The truck continues to exhibit a nasty vibration, and it's getting worse with increased mileage.
The new driveshaft and steering rack did little to help the situation, the vibration can now be felt at any rolling speed, peaking at 60 mph, and smoothing somewhat at 75 mph.
I can see the change in vibration amplitudes by observing the surface of a 2/3 full water bottle, sitting in one of the center folding console cup holders, the ripples are like you would see when pitching a rock into a small pond.
(you try it and let us know your observation)
Worse, the truck suspension is upset by any road irregularity, expansion strips cause the truck to pitch and yaw. Major disturbances are a particular safety hazard as the truck actually moves to the left or right in the lane, requiring major steering corrections. As a pilot, I liken this to trying to land a light plane (Cessna 152) in a 40 mph cross wind, the plane moves around its polar axis, pointing its nose to the left and the right with each wind gust.
Would this be a warranty issue, I might be able to mentally endure more shop time. BUT, I have now come to realize that the the handing and vibration problems are the result of a bad design. I know, it's unbelievable that Ford, with a mighty R&D budget, millions of dollars in CAD and computer simulation equipment, the same company that gave us the GT40, original Mustang, and other fine designs could produce such an ill-handling beast.
Oh well, off to work.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 213
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Picked up my 133" sc lariat 4x4 two days ago. After no accepting delivery because of a nibble in the steering wheel they found a tire they couldn't get in spec.... Ity is a thing of beauty...Drives like it is on rails..... I have owned over 29 trucks and this is by far the best yet!
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