e250 driveline vibration
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e250 driveline vibration
Im on my 4th e250. 1986,1989. 1996, 1999 all have had the same 50- 70 mph vibration from the drive line. any one having the same problem? does any one know what needs to be done? I cant seem to find any help from the trans shops etc.
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Due to the changes in motors, transmissions & chassis, its hard to imagine you've had the "same vibration" in 4 different vans. I'd believe similar vibrations.
The only components I'd suspect would be the driveshafts & motor/tranny mounts, but if "any...trans shops etc." have been unable to "help" with these vehicles in their hands, its going to be hard to resolve your complaint remotely. Besides, 4 in a row would be akin to picking Lotto numbers! Never heard of a tranny vibrating. Good luck.
Originally Posted by oscoda455
Im on my 4th e250. 1986,1989. 1996, 1999 all have had the same 50- 70 mph vibration
I cant seem to find any help from the trans shops etc.
I cant seem to find any help from the trans shops etc.
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the vibration in the 86 was the drive shaft, I know because I kept the petal on the floor because I got sort of frustrated and decided to make it brake the vibration got so violent that finally the tail of the transmission exploded, releasing all fluid and the drive shaft onto the pavement. Im pretty sure its a matter of pinion angle, I just wanted to see if anyone else has had this sort of vibration. Granted, the 86 was the worst of the 4.
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Hope you have a more delicate touch the "4th" time around.
Now that you have support to suspect the drive shaft, what can you say about the U-joints? Dried out, lubed for life, needle bearings get notoriously crunchy, often going squish, squish, squish when you're barely rolling & vibrating at speed. Many U-joint replacements have Zerk fittings. Greased once a year they'll last a long time & run smooth.
I once lost just 1 of the 4 sets of needle bearings on 1 U-joint, while hauling a heavy load & trailer from CT-FL, somewhere in the Carolinas, while accelerating onto the slab. I managed to limp all the way home.
Originally Posted by oscoda455
I kept the petal on the floor because I got sort of frustrated and decided to make it brake the vibration got so violent that finally the tail of the transmission exploded, releasing all fluid and the drive shaft onto the pavement.
I once lost just 1 of the 4 sets of needle bearings on 1 U-joint, while hauling a heavy load & trailer from CT-FL, somewhere in the Carolinas, while accelerating onto the slab. I managed to limp all the way home.
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Originally Posted by oscoda455
the vibration in the 86 was the drive shaft, I know because I kept the petal on the floor because I got sort of frustrated and decided to make it brake the vibration got so violent that finally the tail of the transmission exploded, releasing all fluid and the drive shaft onto the pavement. Im pretty sure its a matter of pinion angle, I just wanted to see if anyone else has had this sort of vibration. Granted, the 86 was the worst of the 4.
I jacked my van up on stands and ran it up to speed in drive to find the problem. You'll see the problem in a hurry like that.
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Originally Posted by oscoda455
done that, best guess- drive line, cant really tell from exactly where
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Could be next to impossible to have the same vibration on 4 consecutive Econolines. Especially from the same cause. Much better odds at picking 4 Lotto numbers.
I agree "Could be wheels/tires" the number of out of round & belt separation problems seems to have increased in recent years. The higher speeds & longer life of tires has subjected them to emerging modes of failure. Hard bumps, sitting long periods, overloading, low or high pressure, all can injure tires. Tire guys know how to check/what to look for. Before rotating tires, just jack them up & spin by hand & use a straight edge to see how round each tire is. A good tire will be hard to see any variation using this crude method & 1/8" is dangerous & should send you to the tire shop to have it & the wheel its on, inspected. Sometimes these vibrations shake the whole truck & leave drivers guessing which end or side.
Originally Posted by jonesg
Could be wheels/tires, rotate back to front to find out, its a lot of bother but...
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I have something out too! I don't feel mine as much as I hear it. New u-joint & tires balanced & checked. Second van to have a balance problem for me.
If I go much above 65 forget it. Sounds like I'm going to tear something up.
If I go much above 65 forget it. Sounds like I'm going to tear something up.
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From: Toledo, Ohio
I've had the same problems with phantom vibrations, had tires re-balanced, driveline re-built/balanced etc on variuos years of e vans and it is frustrating. You try something and you think it is ok and then weeks later as your traveling at highway speed you notice it, that shake in the steering wheel or your coffee is jiggling....... Have you checked run-out of the wheels? (possibly bent/ out of round?) You'll need a Dial type indicator on a magnet base or a vise-grip type of base. Harbor Freight has them.
Good luck, John (maybe turn up the radio?!)
Good luck, John (maybe turn up the radio?!)
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Originally Posted by oscoda455
Its gotta be pinion angle. with weight in the truck the vibration diminished, but does not go all away.
You sound sure it is the driveline, have you had the front end checked, when the ball joints go the whole van shakes. also have you replaced your shocks?
Last edited by Crash687; Sep 4, 2007 at 07:02 PM.
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Originally Posted by davE350
I have something out too! I don't feel mine as much as I hear it. New u-joint & tires balanced & checked. Second van to have a balance problem for me.
If I go much above 65 forget it. Sounds like I'm going to tear something up.
If I go much above 65 forget it. Sounds like I'm going to tear something up.
if it doesn't show, then I'd start looking at wheel bearings in the back or swap wheels back to front. Mine runs smooth now.