Got the call from the dealer today. They felt the steering wheel shimmy and they ordered a "counter weight" for the issue and it will be installed tomorrow. Once I get the detailed paperwork, I will repost the exact description of what was performed. As stated above they did say there was a bulletin posted. They first tried to play the tire game with me, but I squashed that. They took the wheels and tires off a truck in the lot and installed them and observed the same shimmy. Don't let them lead you down the tire path. I will also let you all know about the lack of towing power (another unrelated post) as soon as I get an answer.

Chad

 

I have the shimmy or nibble. had it the first time i put my truck on the highway

road force balanced tires and new rack-still shakes

 

Had steering wheel nibble at 50 to 80. Dealer did "road force balance", now it drives like a big Cadi!

 

04 FX4 with aftermarket 18" wheels and 325 60 18 Nittos and no shimmy.


JZ150

 

Sure do! I have had this since buying the truck. Kept thinking it was going to go away with each "fix" however, it's still there and enough is enough.
I'm going to the DRB and with my attorney if needed.
Let's see now...
Different gear oil in rear end, changed the clutch packings, three sets of different tires balanced to death, vibration dapening kit, drive line slip yoke greased, and now a new stearing rack gear. Still have the wobble, vibration, shake-rattle-and-roll-problem. Drove one of the other trucks on the lot and wished mine was just like it, so it's not a "characteristic" rather a "mystery" I'm sure we'll see in the news some day.
Got to go...
It's time for my therapy again.

 

After numerous times back to the dealer for the vibration problem that they can't fix. Although, I was assured by the salesmen that if they couldn't fix it they would give me a new truck. They lied. Finally met with the Ford Field Service Engineer today. He drove my truck. Not as much as I suggested to him. Said he didn't need to. He knew the problem. Said it was a "characteristic of these trucks" and can't fix it. Ford sucks and looks like I'm going to have to take legal action. I'll never buy another Ford for as long as I live and will advise as many people as possible to do the same. I'm also calling all the local TV news stations about this issue. Ford needs to be held responsible for a poorly engineered vehicle. How dare they have commercials advertising how "smooth" the truck drives. It's just adds insult to injury.

Oh yeah, I have had the truck Road Forced balanced at least 4 times and they could never get the truck to spec. I have no faith in the Road Force balance system. Ford dealerships don't even own them.

 

4300 miles Lariat Screw no wheel shimmy.

 

Guess you got a lucky one. Probably not made in Kansas City but who knows. Also, others had mentioned Ford is working on a fix. As of today the Ford Field Serivce Engineer told me that Ford has NOTHING coming out for a resolve for this problem. So, you got this right. This truck is a Screw and I'm not going to take it.

 

Ford Field Service Engineer for the Washington DC Beltway area told me today they have no plans for resolve to this problem and it is a "characteristic of these trucks". Get a lawyer.

 

No shimmy on tires at 4,000 miles. Rear end has shake from Stop to 5mph. Dealer states it's diff.

 

My '04 FX4 has no shimmy or perticular vibrations other than the stiffer suspension picks up more road inperfections. 4200 ans zero problems. I don't expect a 4x4 to ride like a Crown Vic. It ride 10 times better than my old '68 F-100 with factory H.D, package on it. Now that rides like a Truck.

 

2004 Fx4 SuperCrew with vibration issues in the steering wheel at 70-80 mph. Problem due to mostly tires. Dealership replaced only 3 tires, why 3? Because the 4th tire did not meet Ford spec; although I can clearly see a flat spot in the tire. I am really trying to push one more new tire out of them. They called down a ford engineer to test drive the truck today, hopefully he has something positive to say. I hope I don't hear the design defect that some of the others on the post have been getting.

Basically, Ford looks for 3 major qualities in a tire: its round, its black, and its cheap. Sad, but true, I have lost all respect for Goodyear tires. And its also sad that my Dealership has to play politics with Ford; even though they know the tire is out of round, it does meet Ford's spec, so they can't replace it under warranty.

Another opinion I got, is that don't some of you think this fully encased frame is just too stiff. I mean, yea its nice that the truck frame will not flex, and that it might save my life in a wreck, but don't you think that it depreciates the ride quality of the vehicle, so that these little bumps and vibrations are more noticeable? That’s something for you to think about as you drive down the road.

Don't get me wrong, I love every other thing about this truck, but the ride of "My truck" leaves me concerned.

Thanks to all the other posts here, I wish there were one concrete solution to all this vibration.

 

18" Goodyear ATS (Tire upgrade option), 04 SCREW ... smooth as slik at all speeds. Hope it stays that way.

 

No shimmy here. I can't say I have not had any problems at all though. I have the cam sensor knock. But as far as a highway cruiser, this truck is superior to the 97', 99', and 2002 F-150's I have owned.

I had the stock tires replaced at delivery with Toyo Open Country A/T 265 /70/17 's, and had them road force balanced. Nice Tires.

 

Only happens when I'm going exactly 70 mph. Below 70 there is nothing, above 70 there is nothing.
However, If I'm pulling a trailer with a Polaris Ranger utility vehicle, which I do often, there is a vibration (more than a nibble) at 52-56 mph.
Any one have any ideas why this happens?
TrackDog