cold shimmie
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2004
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cold shimmie
Hey I own a o4 supercrew lariat. Since I bought my truck in November of last year I have had a shimmie/vibration only when the truck is cold and driving the first mile or so. Its been back to the dealer twice for this problem and they cant seem to duplicate it(go figure)!.Its pretty damn annoying,especially after what they get for these damn trucks. Well its going back for the 3rd time in January for the same problem. It feels like driving over a washboard!! I also have the vibration at higher speeds just like everyone else thats complaining about . I was just wondering if anyone else notices the vibration/shimmie/ bounce or whatever u wanna call it?
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: South Jersey
It's surprising they haven't blaimed it on tire flat spotting from sitting. No doubt you will hear this the next time in because it's mention in the latest TSB for the vibration problems.
What tires do have?? I've got the BFG Rugged Trails. I've had no flat spotting..and mine sits for days at a time..
If you read back through some of the vibration threads about the vibration some of these 04's have you'll see quick you are not in bad shape.
What tires do have?? I've got the BFG Rugged Trails. I've had no flat spotting..and mine sits for days at a time..
If you read back through some of the vibration threads about the vibration some of these 04's have you'll see quick you are not in bad shape.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: 3rd Rock
Originally Posted by redcrew04
Hey I own a o4 supercrew lariat. Since I bought my truck in November of last year I have had a shimmie/vibration only when the truck is cold and driving the first mile or so. Its been back to the dealer twice for this problem and they cant seem to duplicate it(go figure)!.Its pretty damn annoying,especially after what they get for these damn trucks. Well its going back for the 3rd time in January for the same problem. It feels like driving over a washboard!! I also have the vibration at higher speeds just like everyone else thats complaining about . I was just wondering if anyone else notices the vibration/shimmie/ bounce or whatever u wanna call it?
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Hey guys, thanks for your comments on my "cold shimmie" problem. The tires that came with the truck are Goodyear Wranglers AT/S. When I take it back to the dealer next week im gonna tell them I want new tires because it shouldnt be getting flat spots when I drive the truck everyday. I have a list of things the dealer needs to fix...e.g heater blower chirps, something is loose in the front, shimmie that comes and goes at different speeds( service man told me that ford is working on this and said its a problem with the frame) and im gonna have them look at the paint on the front bumper, I have never seen paint chip off a bumper like it is on mine. I dont do alot of highway driving, my truck only has 14400 on it and its over a year old and the bumper has 5 big chips out of it. I had a 01 screw with 30000 on it when I sold it and it didnt have any chips...Dealer will probably tell me to go pound salt but its worth a try.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: South Jersey
Well Ford just upped the warranty on tires from 12 months to 36/36000 to try to cover these vibration problem.. Don't be afraid to lean on them...
See I've got the nibble..."sometimes" at 65-70 with the BFG 275 x 65 18's... It's weird and you can't figure it... The biggest gripe I have is the boat trailer vibe I get over 65..I don't even know how to explain that to the dealer..
See I've got the nibble..."sometimes" at 65-70 with the BFG 275 x 65 18's... It's weird and you can't figure it... The biggest gripe I have is the boat trailer vibe I get over 65..I don't even know how to explain that to the dealer..
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Joined: Dec 2003
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I also have been having steering wheel shimmy problems. I went out of town for Christmas and we took the wife's car. My truck sat from Thursday until Monday. I drove it maybe 10 miles on Monday and it had a noticible shimmy between 65-75mph. Today I drove it first thing this morning for a couple of miles on a smooth black top highway and it had a bad shimmy. It sat all day at work after that. After work I decided I would take a drive out to our land where we are building a house. This is about a 30 mile round trip (the distance Ford claims is needed to eliminate flat spotting). Well, on the return trip the shimmy was pretty much undetectable, and I almost had myself convinced it dissapeared. I hate to say it completley went away, because it will return.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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I have the same problem...only happens when the truck is cold and while make a turn under power, doesn't happen while going straight or while coasting through a turn. No vibration after I drive for a couple of miles. I'm a little leary about going to the dealer, for fear they may make it worse.
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Same thing here. I did not notice it until the weather cooled down here. Now when it is cold outside for the first few miles it seems like the rear end is slipping. I am affraid to take it to the dealer to as my limited slip works like a posi when in sand and they will probably screw that up.
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From: Pryor
The rear end seeming like it is slipping is just the transmission leaving the torque converter unlocked until it gets up to operating temp. Then it will lock out and you will notice your RPM's drop. It is normal.
All tires have a tendency to get flat spots when sitting in cold weather. If you look at your tires you will notice that they are not perfectly round; the weight of the truck squats them a little. That is normal. Also, the rubber that they are made of is not perfectly elastic. It gets a little stiff overnight. Once they get a little warm after a couple miles the temporary flat spots go away as the rubber warms. Again, that is normal. If you think these tires are bad, you should try driving something like a 2-ton truck or 10 wheeler with big 10 ply nylon tires. You'll need new dental work after the first half mile.
All tires have a tendency to get flat spots when sitting in cold weather. If you look at your tires you will notice that they are not perfectly round; the weight of the truck squats them a little. That is normal. Also, the rubber that they are made of is not perfectly elastic. It gets a little stiff overnight. Once they get a little warm after a couple miles the temporary flat spots go away as the rubber warms. Again, that is normal. If you think these tires are bad, you should try driving something like a 2-ton truck or 10 wheeler with big 10 ply nylon tires. You'll need new dental work after the first half mile.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: South ALABAMA
If you have a leveling kit on your truck, be prepared to beat your dealer up to get them to fix the problem. I 've asked around and the first thing they say is " I don't think it's the tires, I think it might be that leveling kit you got on there."
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 75
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From: Cypress, TX
I have the shuddering problem the first time I put it in drive after backing down my driveway. There is absolutely no way it is a flat spot in the tires because it happens as soon as I press the accelerator to make the truck go forward. It does not happen in reverse. The problem seems a little more noticable now that it has cooled down a bit outside. I am lucky enough to not have the infamous driving speed vibration problem.
The torque converter unlocking theory sounds dead on. Does anyone know if there is a solution to this or should I just live with it? I have a 2005 FX4 so I don't think a reflash is needed.
The torque converter unlocking theory sounds dead on. Does anyone know if there is a solution to this or should I just live with it? I have a 2005 FX4 so I don't think a reflash is needed.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Pryor
The torque converter remaining unlocked is done on purpose. There would be no fix for it. It is done, intentionally, to allow that extra amount of slippage to generate heat to get the tranny up to operating temperature. As soon as that is accomplished, it goes back to normal operation and normal torque converter lock-up.
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Cypress, TX
Thanks for the info. I think I am still going to check with the service department to make sure it is the torque converter and not the clutch packs in the LS rear end. As I stated in my post, I don't have the vibration when up to speed so if they start to replace the drive shaft I am going to tell them no. Thanks again for all of the information. I hope it is the torque converter.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Tampa Bay, FL USA
If you're getting the vibration or shimmy when making a turn, then you may need the differential clutch packs replaced. If it only happens for a mile or two, then goes away (just like my truck), then it's probably the tires flat-spotting from sitting. Since it goes away so quickly, every morning, it's just not enough of a problem for me to complain about it. And no one gets more convenient service than me!