Just stopped in at my dealership today. Talked to the service manager, had him take the truck for a ride .. AND did the tailgait drop test (and drove...yeah, they let me) on about 7 of the new leftover 04 trucks still on the lot.


He said: there is a slight vibration problem Ford is listing that they are working on a fix for. There were some other secondary issues that caused vibrations in some trucks (drive shaft, Posi pressure plates, tires, etc) that added to the problem and caused what WOULD have been a relatively minor frame/suspension problem to become worse on some select vehicles. The thing about the 'slight' vibration in the frame ... is that it is in ALL of the 04 models. I'm inclined to believe that those who are experiencing excessive vibration are experiencing secondary issues with the trucks that are adding to the problem. The point here, is that these trucks are going to be a bit more sensitive to things like 'out of balance' wheels ... drivetrain vibrations .. etc ... due to the inherent frame/suspension issue. This dealership has sold a lot of these trucks ... and only had two people come in with problems ... one was tires .. the other was fixed by adding teflon (or something ... I forget) to some area of the driveshaft.

We ALL have a little vibration due to design (new frame.. etc).. I know cuz I checked it out on other trucks (100% on all samples) ... most of us won't notice unless: a) there is something else exacerbating the condition b) somebody tells us we have a problem and we start to notice every little vibration. The service guy drove my truck ... and yup .. there was a little vibration... just like all the trucks. He said he noticed it more under accelaration .. but I can't really tell a difference.

The tailgait drop test on my truck and other trucks:
pick the tailgate up about an inch and drop it ... it vibrates the truck. Pick it up more than 2 inches... drop it..and it doesn't vibrate due to dampening from the shocks. This explains a lot. We hit little tiny bumps ... we get vibrations because the dampening does not kick in (not enough movement). We hit large bumps (potholes ect.) ... and don't get much, if any, 'extended' after effect vibrations (like we do when we hit little 'stutter' type bumps) because there is enough movement/impact/vibration to kick in the dampening from the shock. This is exactly why the dampening weights that are put on the trucks can help to address this issue (they induce a quicker dampening effect from the trucks shocks because they produce more force on the shocks during smaller bumps) For me, the mystery is pretty much solved with the exception of how Ford plans to offer a fix for this. It's a design issue .. it's related to the new frame (stiffer) and the way it sits on the suspension...and it's accentuated by any secondary vibration issue/problem.

Most of us won't have a problem with this unless we have secondary issues OR something went wrong during manufacturing that causes the inherent problem to become worse (i.e. some other manufacturing issue causes the usual frame vibration to become accentuated). I'm back to loving my truck again .. I'm not watching every little bump and trying to decide if the vibration I felt is normal .. or abnormal. I definitely feel bad for those who are having real issues... I know the sinking feeling one gets when they feel like they may have make a $30k mistake. I hope this little investigation/report helps someone get to the bottom of their particular issue. Like I said, I think that if you can address the secondary issues relating to vibration ... it will bring it down to a manageable level. The thing with the dealerships is: they can only (at this time) address secondary issues. Let them try ALL secondary fixes. But remember, it's a combination thing. This is why everyone (Ford, dealerships, owners) have been chasing their tail looking for a single causation factor.

Good luck everyone,

ff

 

...I've gotten the same impression. 04 FX4 SCAB with a fairly good case of the vibe. Went in at 500mi, 3 out of 4 BFGs would not roadforce. They replaced the set. Vibe was back at 800, went back in at 2500mi. Again, 2 of 4 would not roadforce (both rears). I took a ride with the tech to be sure he was feeling what I was feeling. He swapped tires until all 4 would roadforce at about half the Ford spec (twice as good, that is), and lo and behold, it rides better than the BMW 5 I unloaded to get it. Still superb 2000 miles later. Keeping my fingers crossed....

 

I do not get the drop the tail gate test. I would think all truck beds from any brand truck would vibrate if you drop the tail gate.

I would also think the primary cause of a vibration would be a faulty drive shaft, Posi pressure plates, or tires on all types of vehicals.

My truck does not vibrate at any speed. There is nothing wrong with the truck frame, it is pretty solid.

 

Please..........
Ford has had YEARS, spent millions of dollars engineering this new truck and should have fixed all of the simple vibration problems if they knew how to fix them they would. Adding rubber weights to a new truck is Voodoo engineering. The bottom line is some trucks does it and some don't. The FSE said "if I don't like the vibration go to the DSB", it took a few months but I've got my $30,000 back and Ford has another vibrating truck to study.
Buyer beware

 

I get no vibration at all when driving at any speed up to 75mph (have not driven faster). You can, however, with my truck feel the bumps when you go over them. It does not vibrate it just drives like a truck probably should drive. I had a Pontiac Grand Prix prior to this F150 and it drove a lot smoother. But keep in mind that this is a truck and not intended to drive like a Caddy or 4 door sedan for that matter. I am not arguing with anyone, but I do not notice any "vibration" and just think that the way the F150 handles bumps is the way that trucks are built to do so.

 

Guys, help me out here. I really like teh F 150s and was about ready to buy one. Then I start readin all this stuff about the vibration problems etc. What is road force balancing. Do people have vibration problems they have not been able to fix? I'm about ready to wait and get the Dodge Power Wagon.

 

First let me say, the 04 F150 is not a Cadillac, even though the interior is close. It's a truck. For 2004 the frame has been dramatically stiffened. Results in a higher feel of road vibration, unless you have exceptional dampening. With that said, riding in other trucks the 04 F150 is one of the smoothest out there. I don't understand this small vibration thing. What I feel are the little nuances from the road. I guarantee with the improvements in the 04's frame, if it were used on the the 03 and below, you would notice the road vibrations more. The new suspension on the 04 has reduced the symptoms of frame stiffining resulting in a good ride. I can honestly say the 04 F150 rides better than my last vehicle which was an Expedition.

I have not expierenced any of the steering nibble, or rear posi symptoms as previously discussed.

mlawdog - my expierence with the Dodge trucks is, your ride will not even compare to the f150. Make sure you get a good dentist to repack your fillings. This observation is backed by many articles on the F150 as it relates to ride.

 

Just try it with the F150. You'll see what I'm talking about .. it's pretty easy. It's not so much a vibration ... it's more of a reverberating motion ... try it from both heights ... 1 inch ... then two inches. Watch the bed of the truck ... or put your hand on it. It is unmistakable. I have continued to try it out on other f150's ... and they ALL do it. Doesn't make them necessarily bad ... cuz as long as you don't have a secondary issue ... you won't really have a problem. It gives you a little 'after vibe' when you hit a small bump (like tar patches across the road) but you have to be pretty sensitive .. and really paying attention in order to notice ... in most cases. Larger bumps are dampened out (as long as everything else is working properly).

It's a design thing ... I wouldn't necessarily call it a flaw .. .cuz it's pretty much the nature of the stiff frame IMHO. I think Ford really did do a lot to address the rigidity of the frame as it relates to vibrations when they designed the suspension ... but there is probably only so much you can do. Like I said ... I'm told Ford is currently still addressing this ... but ... well, you get my point.

I love the truck. The only concern is that secondary issues that pop up over the yrs may cause me to have to address them sooner because of the propensity for vibration caused by frame material/design/etc In other words I'll have to make sure the truck is tuned right in all other aspects in order to avoid accentuation of it's "normal" amount of reverb/vibration inherent to the truck.... (e.g. tires gotta be 100% all the time ... that sort of thing)

However, if thats all I have to worry about with this truck ... and it gives me all the performance I'm seeing in it (and reading about) then I made a darn good purchase. Geez, I see so many other problems with other trucks (GM, Dodge) .... again, you get my point.

cheers,

ff

 

MYLAWDAWG, I have no such vibration issues. I understand your nervousness about this issue after viewing these FORUM posts. I love my F150 Lariat and recommend you look seriously at the F150 vs. the competition. I suggest that you thoroughly test drive the truck before you purchase and then enjoy your new truck. Since Ford sells more F150's than any model, regardless of make, there are going to be some problems. I have not had ONE problem with my truck. I purchased it in May and have 10K+ miles.

 

MYLAWDAWG, I also started reading the forum before I took possesion of my 150 4x4 and thought to myself what I am getting into. After putting 500 miles of road on it this weekend, I am quite pleased with the ride. It was quiet and smooth on the high way. On patchy roads, well I felt most of the bumps but expected to in a 4x4 with an off road suspension. the 150 was comfortable and power was sufficient for my needs. Not the fastest horse in the barn but you can surely feel low end torque. Much better highway handling than my 1998 F 150. I did not once feel the wind pushing the cab around like my other 150. Now if I can get better milage than the 13 mpg I'm getting now I'll be a happy camper. BTW if you read a forum on ANY vehicle you would not be inclined to buy one right away. But keep reading, I've learned a lot of interesting facts on this forum.

 

My dad traded his '96 F150 in on an 04 about 6 months ago and every time I ask him about his new truck he keeps going on and on and on and on about how much better it is than his old one. He has had 0 problems with it.

 

I just took my Screw in today for a new driveshaft. I had been waitng for 2 1/2 months for it to come in.

They said they have mde changes to it. I believe they went from 2 pc back to one. Driving it today, it seems to be about 95% better than the vibe I had from 40-50 mph.

Maybe its totally corrected and I am trying to feel a vibe.

 

Two thoughts:

1 - As far as vibration goes, it's a TRUCK, not a car, so get over it! With that said:

2 - Does a spray-in or drop-in bed liner dampen the vibration, and are different bed lengths more susceptible? I don't notice anything unusual in my '04 FX4 SCAB but it has the 6.5' bed and Line-X. Definitely better than my '89 Isuzu SpaceCab that it replaced! All the different bed configurations and bed liners, covers, caps, etc should have different frequency responses, which would explain why some people have perceived problems and some don't.

 

Lee: You solved the problem. I have a spray in bed liner and my bed does not vibrate.

 

<shrug> ... ok .. I'm over it. Just trying to pass on the results of the endless hours I spent investigating this issue which some people seem to be having real problems with. Thought maybe I'd save someone some hassle.... but hey .. you're right ... I have limited time anyway ... I have like 4 research papers to write ... and classes to teach... so I won't bother anymore.

Cheers,

ff