2004 F150 vibration
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by J Jones
I replaced the Continentals with Michelins on my (04 SCREW 5.4, 3.73) and still have the vibration - maybe worse. I get a new driveshaft on Monday. My vibration is not torque sensitive. Others on this site who's vibration was torque sensitive have had good results with replacing the ring and pinion gears or the entire rear-end. PanamaRobb - you might actually get yours fixed!
My brother has a regular cab 05 with the V6, 3.55 rear end, and Michelin LTX A/S tires and his truck is sports car smooth! I really so not think it is a design flaw, but more likely a faulty part i.e. (rear end housing, ring and pinion gears, unbalanced drive shaft etc.) My vibration is not terrible but it isn't normal either! Thank goodness for an excellent service department. They seem to want to find a fix as much a I do, and otherwise, this is the best pickup I have ever owned (Ford, Dodge, Chevy or Nissan).
My brother has a regular cab 05 with the V6, 3.55 rear end, and Michelin LTX A/S tires and his truck is sports car smooth! I really so not think it is a design flaw, but more likely a faulty part i.e. (rear end housing, ring and pinion gears, unbalanced drive shaft etc.) My vibration is not terrible but it isn't normal either! Thank goodness for an excellent service department. They seem to want to find a fix as much a I do, and otherwise, this is the best pickup I have ever owned (Ford, Dodge, Chevy or Nissan).
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
So far, the tires were road force balanced (3 times), 9 new tires (5 replacement Continentals and 4 new Michelins), new brake rotors and I am getting a new driveshaft on Monday. You would think that they could get it fixed easily, but that does not appear to be the case for a lot of folks. I know 7 people with 04 SuperCrews (3-2wd and 4-4wd) and none of them have my same problem. One does have a bad rear-end, however. Knowing what I know, I can not really buy into the argument that it is a design flaw, I just hope I can get mine fixed soon.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 221
Likes: 2
From: Calgary, Alberta
I've had my 04 for almost a year now. No vibration at all. This thing rides like a dream. Lot's of power, pulls a fifth wheel trailer like it not even there! Only problems I've had is a noisy fan belt and the clutch packs in the rear end. Both were fixed under warranty no troubles. 
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Missouri Mule,
I find it interesting that a new truck would come with a vibration dampener already installed. I wonder if all new F150s are coming with this? Can you tell me exactly where it is located and what it looks like. I have a factory installed receiver hitch, but I don't see anything else under there.
I find it interesting that a new truck would come with a vibration dampener already installed. I wonder if all new F150s are coming with this? Can you tell me exactly where it is located and what it looks like. I have a factory installed receiver hitch, but I don't see anything else under there.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 511
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
The logic is simple here guy's... The vibe problems obviously have continued to the 05's... Stands to reason if they knew how to cure it in the 05's they'd be able to cure the 04's with it..
The dealer must use an electronic vibration sensor. There's guy on another web page who's talking about it. Tires vibrate in the 9-15hz range. Driveline 20-35hz and engines in the 50-70hz range. Dealers are suppose to have this tool before they start guessing what the problem is.
The dealer must use an electronic vibration sensor. There's guy on another web page who's talking about it. Tires vibrate in the 9-15hz range. Driveline 20-35hz and engines in the 50-70hz range. Dealers are suppose to have this tool before they start guessing what the problem is.
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by J Jones
Missouri Mule,
I find it interesting that a new truck would come with a vibration dampener already installed. I wonder if all new F150s are coming with this? Can you tell me exactly where it is located and what it looks like. I have a factory installed receiver hitch, but I don't see anything else under there.
I find it interesting that a new truck would come with a vibration dampener already installed. I wonder if all new F150s are coming with this? Can you tell me exactly where it is located and what it looks like. I have a factory installed receiver hitch, but I don't see anything else under there.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
Missouri Mule,
Thanks for the info. My brother's is also a V6, STX, with a 6.5' bed and 3.55 RE. I didn't check to see if he had a dampener, but he did just have a receiver hitch installed. By the way, I am surprized that the V6 accelerates as well as it does. I have a 5.4 with 3.73 RE and it is not noticibly any quicker, at least under normal driving.
Thanks for the info. My brother's is also a V6, STX, with a 6.5' bed and 3.55 RE. I didn't check to see if he had a dampener, but he did just have a receiver hitch installed. By the way, I am surprized that the V6 accelerates as well as it does. I have a 5.4 with 3.73 RE and it is not noticibly any quicker, at least under normal driving.
New User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: new hampshire
The dealership tried to tell me that they cut the vibration in half because the frequency of the vibration was cut almost in half using the sensor although The "G" forces remained unchanged on this test. When I explained that I understood that the force portion of the vibration is the "level" at which the vibration was felt they concurred and said well we've done what we can...
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by J Jones
Missouri Mule,
Thanks for the info. My brother's is also a V6, STX, with a 6.5' bed and 3.55 RE. I didn't check to see if he had a dampener, but he did just have a receiver hitch installed. By the way, I am surprized that the V6 accelerates as well as it does. I have a 5.4 with 3.73 RE and it is not noticibly any quicker, at least under normal driving.
Thanks for the info. My brother's is also a V6, STX, with a 6.5' bed and 3.55 RE. I didn't check to see if he had a dampener, but he did just have a receiver hitch installed. By the way, I am surprized that the V6 accelerates as well as it does. I have a 5.4 with 3.73 RE and it is not noticibly any quicker, at least under normal driving.
Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
I have a new 2004 4x2 SCAB Lariat (250 miles), built 6/2004, I took delivery of last Saturday. Has 18" BFG's. I have a slight steering nibble at 70 MPH and up. What concerns me most is a slight to moderate vibration up through the floor and seat I feel from 48-56 MPH, which seems to be there under accel, coast, or cruise. I also have either a rear tire noise or gear whine under load at 70MPH. I've got an appointment at the dealer for next Monday (3/6). Wish me luck.
The problem with this truck is that it is so darn quiet and smooth otherwise, you hear and feel every vibration, noise, shake, etc!!!!
The problem with this truck is that it is so darn quiet and smooth otherwise, you hear and feel every vibration, noise, shake, etc!!!!
New User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Northern VA
Well I got my FX4 back from the dealership Saturday. They did the following:
Road Force balance the tires.
New driveshaft.
Dampener.
Ring and Pinion.
Reflash (why would they do this?).
So far I think the vibration is gone, but time will tell.
Road Force balance the tires.
New driveshaft.
Dampener.
Ring and Pinion.
Reflash (why would they do this?).
So far I think the vibration is gone, but time will tell.
Senior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Rascal M
Well I got my FX4 back from the dealership Saturday. They did the following:
Road Force balance the tires.
New driveshaft.
Dampener.
Ring and Pinion.
Reflash (why would they do this?).
So far I think the vibration is gone, but time will tell.
Road Force balance the tires.
New driveshaft.
Dampener.
Ring and Pinion.
Reflash (why would they do this?).
So far I think the vibration is gone, but time will tell.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
I got mine back today and the vibration finally appears to be gone. Besides road force balancing the 4 brand new Michelin tires, I also got a new driveshaft, which they tested and indexed three times. The original vibration measured 24hz and the final was 6hz. After I picked up my truck, I took it for a test drive on all the roads that I knew would show the vibration if still present, and I am happy to say I am currently 100% vibration and nibble free! This is once again a great truck, and this also proves to me two things 1) Most of these problems are fixable 2) For the most part, it is not just a tire issue. Good luck to the rest of you still trying to get yours fixed. By the way, my vibration was not torque sensitive, so replaceing the rear-end was never considered.