Vibration when towing
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New User
Joined: Jun 2007
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Vibration when towing
Hey,new member here. I was wondering if anyone else has noticed a vibration when towing a trailer. My 05 Screw no matter what type of trailer I pull gets a vibration. It is really annoying . Any ideas?
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Indiana
I noticed a hard vibration once, just recently. I pull often and several different trailers. I was pulling a real heavy load (apx.7500lb) when it did it and @ about 60 MPH. I had Overdrive disabled at the time. I pushed the button to enable OD and the vib. went away. It kind of spooked me, I though maybe was getting a flat on trailer but wasnt. That was the only time it happened. But now I just tow in overdrive and it hasnt done it since.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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You need to narrow down where the vibration is.
Does it come and go? Is it while accelerating or decelerating or is it constant?
Try driving with the overdrive on and the overdrive off and see if it changes.
Try coasting with the truck in neutral and see if it goes away. {be safe}
Where do you "feel" the vibration? Floor,seat,pedal or all over?
What does the vibration feel like? Harsh or minor? Is there any noise when it happens?
Does it come and go? Is it while accelerating or decelerating or is it constant?
Try driving with the overdrive on and the overdrive off and see if it changes.
Try coasting with the truck in neutral and see if it goes away. {be safe}
Where do you "feel" the vibration? Floor,seat,pedal or all over?
What does the vibration feel like? Harsh or minor? Is there any noise when it happens?
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New User
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vibration when towing
The vibration is like a shimmer when your in the accelerator. It goes away when you let off and it does it not matter if you are in OD or not. It will fade away if you accelarate hard. The shimmer will shake the entire truck so its hard to pin point where it is acutally coming from. My first thought was the torqe converter but a friend said his Excursion done the same thing and it was a mass air flow sensor. Was just wanting to see if any other F150 guys experienced it.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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Well, that narrows it down to the driveline. I'd do a search under the TSB's here to see if there is anything. They can be very helpful to narrow down to common problems.
Next, I'd check the trans fluid. Is it full? What does it look and smell like? Any shiny metal flakes on it?
Next, I'd crawl underneath. Try to move and rotate the driveshaft. Any freeplay? Any clunking at the U-joints? Any leaks noted out of the output shaft or pinion seals? Are the U-joints greasable? When were they greased last? Is it a one piece or two piece shaft? It will be difficult to check the pinion angle on a 2 piece at home, but when loaded down, the angle can change and cause vibration similar to what you're experiencing.
Just gotta start to narrow it down. Let us know what you find.
Next, I'd check the trans fluid. Is it full? What does it look and smell like? Any shiny metal flakes on it?
Next, I'd crawl underneath. Try to move and rotate the driveshaft. Any freeplay? Any clunking at the U-joints? Any leaks noted out of the output shaft or pinion seals? Are the U-joints greasable? When were they greased last? Is it a one piece or two piece shaft? It will be difficult to check the pinion angle on a 2 piece at home, but when loaded down, the angle can change and cause vibration similar to what you're experiencing.
Just gotta start to narrow it down. Let us know what you find.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 296
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Could be the clutch packs in the rear end if you have a limited slip rear axle. Sounds very familiar to what I experienced in my 04 FX4.
Like osteodoc said, start with the TSBs. I believe there was one for the clutch packs but not sure it applied to the 05s.
Keep us posted.
Like osteodoc said, start with the TSBs. I believe there was one for the clutch packs but not sure it applied to the 05s.
Keep us posted.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2005
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Found a TSB for you. It is TSB 06-19-16. It deals with incorrect rear pinion angle and vibration under moderate to heavy throttle. Maybe this is your issue.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/tsb/full...p?tsb=06-19-16
https://www.ford-trucks.com/tsb/full...p?tsb=06-19-16
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New User
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Thanks for the help. I 've contact the local Ford dealer and it goes to them on Weds. Also I ve had the clutch packs replaced twice already due to poping in the rear end when turning.
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Senior User
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Originally Posted by biglaw106
Thanks for the help. I 've contact the local Ford dealer and it goes to them on Weds. Also I ve had the clutch packs replaced twice already due to poping in the rear end when turning.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,191
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From: USA
I noticed a vibration ay 50-55 mph when towing a single place snowmobile trailer with my buddies ATV on the back... you are talking about 1200lbs at BEST.. it wasn't my trailer so I figured it was a trailer problem.. I am curious now and I am going to try another trailer / same trailer with OD ON. My truck has only 17,500 miles on it...
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Joined: Jul 2004
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I had this too until someone on this site asked me about my hitch. I had it pinned in the first hole of the reciever all along. Pushed it in and pinned it through the 2nd hole and no more vibration. You might double check it's pushed in all the way to the second hole.
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Palmer, AK
I just had a similar experience yesterday while towing my Goldwing on my two-place snowmachine trailer. Only had a light vibration/shimmy around 50-55 mph. Once I unloaded the Goldwing and towed the empty trailer home it didn't have any vibration or shimmy at any speed. I would estimate the load to be 1,200-1,500 lbs.
I have also towed a pop-up camper with no vibration or shimmy at any speed. I'm guessing it has something to do with my trailer - possibly unbalanced tires?
Brian
2005 Expedition Limited 4x4
I have also towed a pop-up camper with no vibration or shimmy at any speed. I'm guessing it has something to do with my trailer - possibly unbalanced tires?
Brian
2005 Expedition Limited 4x4
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Lake Park, GA
Hey guys,
I have an '06 SC that I pull a 5th Wheel with and get a BAD Vibration starting out. It goes away after getting into the next gear. The trailer weights 7900# and is well within the 9500# limit. It has a slight vibration without load, but not bad and had I not known about it with load, I wouldn't have been concerned. I've had the drive shaft replaced, the clutch pack replaced and now the dealer is doing the pinion angle change TSB. I was told to put an airbag kit on it...and did. No good. I'm anxious to find out how biglaw106 is doing or if anyone else fixes this problem. I went to a local transmission shop and the guy said these transmission just don't go bad...When mine gets fixed, I'll let ya'll know what was done.
I have an '06 SC that I pull a 5th Wheel with and get a BAD Vibration starting out. It goes away after getting into the next gear. The trailer weights 7900# and is well within the 9500# limit. It has a slight vibration without load, but not bad and had I not known about it with load, I wouldn't have been concerned. I've had the drive shaft replaced, the clutch pack replaced and now the dealer is doing the pinion angle change TSB. I was told to put an airbag kit on it...and did. No good. I'm anxious to find out how biglaw106 is doing or if anyone else fixes this problem. I went to a local transmission shop and the guy said these transmission just don't go bad...When mine gets fixed, I'll let ya'll know what was done.
