I have a 2004 ford f150. It is in the service department with 4800 miles on it. I have had a vibration problem with it since I bought it. I waited a while thinking the vibration would go away in time. The vibration is very bad between 45 and 55 miles per hour during accelleration. When you let off the vibration goes away. Well so far the dealership has balanced and rotated the tires, put a new driveshaft on. I am now waiting as they are going to put a new pinion gear in the rear end. I am not sure what they will do if this does not work. Guys I have read some of the threads, the vibration I am having is very extensive to the point where you have to let off on the throttle to make it stop. I have a business where I tow things and have heavy materials in the back. This problem occurs under no weight and even worse when trailoring and weight in the bed.

I would appreciate any info!!

One gentleman made a comment in one of the threads. He said he just wants what he paid for and nothing more. If they cannot fix it should I enforce the lemon law?

I hope they can resolve this as I have never had any problems with my fords before.

Thank you.

 

I would get rid of that truck if possible

 

My 2004 SCrew 4.6 liter 3:73 went to the dealer today for the vibe. Two new rear tires (17' Generals) and a new ring and pinon should be here in two days. Less than 2000 miles and I just made my first payment. Lets keep our fingers crossed.

 

I have a new 2005 model. It is the V6 but it has a vibration damper on the rear of the frame on the driver's side. I have zero vibration; smooth as silk. One thing that I did was when I was negotiating with the dealer was to have them remove the Michelin tires from another F-150 and replace the trash Continentals on the truck I wanted. They complied with a small additional charge.

I had driven another one with the Continentals and it vibrated. Does that tell you anything? I wouldn't have one of those lousy tires on my lawn mower. I've got a 2003 Escape with those tires and am replacing them at 30,000 miles although there is ample tread left. Evidently the belts were put on improperly. One time it pulls to the left and when rotated it pulls to the right. A good set of tires will not pull either way. In fact, I have driven trucks where I could take my hands off the steering wheel and it would drive straight down the interstate for several miles before I had to correct the direction. Don't ever let someone tell you the "crown" in the road causes the steering wheel to pull. That is sheer BS. And then there is the noise factor. The Continentals make noise like a thrashing machine. I've had far better luck with the much maligned Firestones.

I'd seriously look at the tires and I would consder having them putting the vibration damper on if applicable. There should be no vibration whatsoever.

 

I bought a new 2004 FX4 supercrew in December 2004. It has the same vibration as most others have. I put in the shop this week and they replaced the ring and pinion gears, but still have the vibs. The service manager is still working on the problem.

At least they gave me a loaner to use until they get it fixed. I told them they need to make sure they have it fixed, if not then I would bring it back to them asap.

 

Panamarobb
I had the exact problem with my 04, Ford's FSE said the truck was normal so I went to the DSB and they made Ford buy back the truck. Search for DSB Dispute Settlement Boar or Driveline Vibrations and you will get a lot of hits on those subjects.
Good Luck
Former 04 F-150 Ford Owner

 

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I am a new user. Can someone tell me what DSB means.

My dealership has given me a loaner while they are working on my truck. If they do not correct the problem what can my course of action be.

Thank you.

 

I just spoke with the service manager and he said that they have ordered a new drive shaft with a dampener. Will this fix the problem or just cover it up. Because if it stills vibrates and they just cover it up then I think it would cause trouble later down the road. What do you all think?

Glenn.

 

I have a question to pose. I have heard many people say that ford has "counter balanced" the hubs and added the damper (or diaper). I don't feel satisfied with adding a vibration 180 dgrees out of phase with the original vibration to "FIX???" the problem. The vibration still exists and is causing whatever damage it may you just don't feel the full effect. My dealership actually told me several time not to bring it back for the vibration there is nothing they can do about it.

 

The Vibration dampener won't do squat. It is a big piece of "Jerry Rigging"

 

Then why does my truck have one and why do I not have ANY vibration?. In fact it is so smooth and quiet I am actually surprised.

 

Did you have a vibration and the dampener fixed it? I'm just saying in my case and the numerous others I have read, the dampener didn't do squat. If it worked in your case, I am happy for you, and jealous.

 

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).

 

I would suggest to those of you with the counter weight try removing it and driving the truck. I'm not sure if "out of balancing" the truck to mask the vibration is a long term good idea. I also don't want to make people unhappy with their trucks. I had tires roadforce balanced, new drive shaft (which had to be indexed (rotated) twice) before it helped and the vibration came back in a few hundred miles. The shifting clunk and shifting in general is sloppy since the last visit to the dealership. The service mgr told me that my program was at the latest rev and wasn't touched and while talking to the tech he told me he reprogrammed it??? could they have changed it to add slop in the shifting in an attempt to mask the vibration?. the problem is although I see a noticable difference they drive it and say "nope its fine" nothing tangable to hang my hat on. AND I thought you guys were just mad at ford and picking on road noise which in my opinion is a fact of life unless the truck is bullet shaped. Boy was I wrong one day I opened a rear window and my 3yo daughter started to cry the truck shook so bad. needless to say I am less than pleased. 04 SC 4X4
Tim

 

It came with the truck. I took delivery on January 28 of this year. I know it is there because I was looking underneath to find out what was involved in installing a receiver hitch. All I can say is that my truck is extremely quiet, has no vibrations whatsoever and I couldn't be happier. But an identical truck with the Continentals had a vibration in the front end when I test drove it. I had the dealership pull off the Michelins from another truck and install them on the one I purchased. I'm glad I did. The Continentals on my Escape are pure junk. I wasn't going to make that same mistake again.