Vibration issues in the Excursion
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Vibration issues in the Excursion
I have an '01 limited 2wd with a 5.4l. I have a vibration through 60 and 65. Very agrivating at 65mph. I have no lift, and it has a stock tire size. I recently replaced 1 rim. All the tires have been balanced, though I am willing to bet if I brought it back in, they would be out of balance again. I recently removed the driveshaft and replaced the u joints. What other issues may cause it to shake at 60-65mph. Other post that I have read in reference to this talk about shims on the shaft due to the angle after a lift, and things like that. The truck has no lift. The big ring weight appears to be in the same spot on the shaft as always. I do not see any visible damage to the shaft. The brakes do not pulse during braking which to me would indicate the rotors are not warped.. The shake is in the seat of your pants, in the seats. What do you all think?
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Additional information:
lifetime alignment, just spent 120 on a new cam so that it could be properly adjusted..
Rim was "bent". It had quite a bit of play. it took up to 3+ ounces.
Ball joints have been checked, and I have tugged and pushed hard. Pretty sure they are good.
Upper shock mount in the rear, the bushings are going. I replaced one today, the other still to go. Can it cause a serious vibration? Body bushings are always an issue, but is usually the "monkey knocking under your foor feel".
Leaf springs- Do I look for a cracked one or something? How easy is it to spot?
I will also have to double check the motor and transmission mounts. I did a quick check, and they appeared fine.
lifetime alignment, just spent 120 on a new cam so that it could be properly adjusted..
Rim was "bent". It had quite a bit of play. it took up to 3+ ounces.
Ball joints have been checked, and I have tugged and pushed hard. Pretty sure they are good.
Upper shock mount in the rear, the bushings are going. I replaced one today, the other still to go. Can it cause a serious vibration? Body bushings are always an issue, but is usually the "monkey knocking under your foor feel".
Leaf springs- Do I look for a cracked one or something? How easy is it to spot?
I will also have to double check the motor and transmission mounts. I did a quick check, and they appeared fine.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 357
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From: Washington DC
With the info you listed, it sounds like you have a bad ball joint. If the front end got whacked enough to bend the rim, and probably damage the adjusting cam, my bet is the ball joints. Just a feel test for play may not tell you anything in this case.
You did not say how many miles it has, at least I can't remember right now. However, if the ball joints have not been replaced, and you have over 60,000 on the clock, I'd replace the ball joints and have a thorough inspection of all the front end components.
You did not say how many miles it has, at least I can't remember right now. However, if the ball joints have not been replaced, and you have over 60,000 on the clock, I'd replace the ball joints and have a thorough inspection of all the front end components.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Williamsburg, VA
I just experienced the exact same thing. I have 61k on my 2000 limited 4x4. Mine was the boot that covers the slip yoke on the rear drive shaft. When I first started experiencing the shaking/vibration I thought it was a bad u-joint. I replaced them. Still there. I thought it was the newly installed sway bar, that wasnt it. I had tires balanced, nope, still there. Then one day, on the interstate, I heard a "POW" then a chattering underneath the truck. I pulled over and the boot that covers the slip yoke was split down the middle. I ordered a new one from FORD ($12 buck, not bad considering its OEM only). I installed the new boot, and BAM!! no more shaking or vibration. After talking with a few FORD mechanic friends, seems the clips that hold the boot on become loose, allowing the boot to "wobble" on the slip yoke causing the vibration, and 60 - 65 mph is the magic speed that makes the "wobble" from a 5 oz. peice of rubber make the whole truck dance... I hope this helps. Its a very cheap and simple fix.....
Jeff
Jeff
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Sorry I am bad with tech parts and terms. Is this the boot that covers the shaft as it exits the transmission? Because I do not remember a boot at the rear of the drive line, only the flange where it connects to the axel. I looked at that front boot when I removed the drive shaft and noted it was probably not in the best shape. How easy is it to install and remove? Yours was pretty easy since it exploded off. As far as the ball joints, I had them looked at by a tire place. However, these guys gave a hard time with stuff, so I would not be surprised if they are bad. When it was up on the lift I took it upon myself to tug, push, try to rotate, etc.... I don't think I felt anything bad. Should I check a different way? What to look for? Thanks for the information. TOM
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From: Williamsburg, VA
The boot on my X is about 8 inches down on the drive shaft from the transmission. Each year of X seems a little different. It is held on by 2, thin metal straps. I had to cut mine with wire cutters to get it off. The new boot comes with new locking metal straps. All you have to do is unbolt the drive shaft from the transmission and slide the yoke apart. While you have it off you should grease the slip spline.
The ball joints can't be checked with it up in the air on a truck of this size. The proper way to check them is to apply a load to the ball joint and rock the wheel back and forth and up and down with a large bar or something of the like. You will feel and see the wheel clunk and pop as you rock it if it is bad.
Jeff
The ball joints can't be checked with it up in the air on a truck of this size. The proper way to check them is to apply a load to the ball joint and rock the wheel back and forth and up and down with a large bar or something of the like. You will feel and see the wheel clunk and pop as you rock it if it is bad.
Jeff
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I think the years do vary. You may have mentioned yours was a 4x4, mine is 2wd. Probably the difference. I have no boots or rubber on the shaft. I have the rubber boot as the spline exits the transmission. Tomorrow, my daughter and I are going to take it off again. I am going to rotate it 180 (?????), and while it is off check everything again on the rear at the differential, and forward at the spline. I will have to figure out how to do the ball joint. THanks.
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I've had the same problem with my 03 2wd PSD off and on since I got it ! I have Pirelli Scorpion's and I've found the best way to minimize vibration is tire pressure . I keep about 40 - 45 psi in the front and the same in the back depending on load .... I feel your pain brother ! I ended up getting a fake Ostrich skin cover for the steering wheel to keep my hand from going num .
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A good idea. It is driving me nuts! I just don't want to keep my hands feeling good and have to pay a road hazard fee on another set of Revos. UGH!! It would look good though. Maybe I can get a cover with GW's presidential seal like his boots.
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From: Houston, TX
Seems there are a lot of things that can cause that vibration issue. Mine was 65-70 mph and turned out to be the four bolts that connect the flange at the rear diff. One was halfway out and the others were all finger tight. There was just enough play that when I would come off the accelerator it would vibrate like crazy but as soon as I hit the gas it went away...
Weird stuff man...
Weird stuff man...
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Your not kidding. Weird sfuff!! I was looking at the drive shaft today, and glanced at the weird markings around the shaft that I saw when I first took it off. The marks appear to be where a weight once was. A possible issue? A weight could have come off or was moved. If it had come off when I owned the truck I am pretty sure I would have noticed. If it did with the previous owner, who is to say whether or not she would have noticed. "was that another cat???"
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I brought the Ex to the dreaded dealer yesterday (Tomball Ford). I am still waiting to hear the verdict. I tried to explain what I have done in an effort to figure out and correct it, and the Service Representative just looked at me like I had some part of the male anatomy sticking out of my forehead. I told them I do no repairs until they show and prove what the culprit is. I hope this warranty comes into play.
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