bad vibrations
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New User
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9
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From: Grifton, NC
bad vibrations
I just traded my 04 F-250 4x4 for an 05 Excursion 4x4 6.0l and had the dealer swap my wheels/tires off of my truck to the X. (the X has 58k miles and had the original BFG's on it and my tires were pratically new, maybe 8000 miles on them) Now the truck has vibrations around 45mph and intermittently between 45 and 80mph. While the tires/wheels were on the truck they rode smoothly and had no vibrations. They are Michelin LTX M/S 265/70/16 (standard size) load range E. Prior to the tire swap the X was smooth. What would cause them to vibrate now and do you think the tires are the problem?
BTW The rear-end bearings are howling and the dealer is going to "rebuild" (replace bearings) the rear-end for me. Could the vibration be the rear-end getting worse?? It does not sound any worse than before, but I am wondering if that could be the culprit...the steering is fine (no shake transmitted through steering wheel)...any of your expert help is appreciated. Thanks!
BTW The rear-end bearings are howling and the dealer is going to "rebuild" (replace bearings) the rear-end for me. Could the vibration be the rear-end getting worse?? It does not sound any worse than before, but I am wondering if that could be the culprit...the steering is fine (no shake transmitted through steering wheel)...any of your expert help is appreciated. Thanks!
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Damascus
pull the wheels and remount them to the X and properly torque with criss/cross pattern 140ftlbs ( I think) see if that helps. Sometimes shops just run the nuts on with the impact and don't square them up.
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New User
Joined: May 2008
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From: Grifton, NC
Still vibrating
Had the rear rebuilt and it is great. The tires were roadforce balanced and I still have the vibration in the seats between 40 & 50 mph. I am going to start playing with tire pressures tomorrow. It looks like alot of you run 40-45 psi to quell vibrations. I will try that. Any more ideas??
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Apex, N.C.
Did you drive the X before the tires were swapped? How is the alignment. Just Ideas.
Edit: sorry, I re-read your post, you did drive it before the swap.
Edit: sorry, I re-read your post, you did drive it before the swap.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Rowlett
My 05 Ex had alignment problems (caster and toe in) that caused the right front to shake at 70 mph. Go get the truck alignment checked.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: charleston, south carolin
Had this same scenario happen to me on my 02 Ex. Same tires as you have. Vibration started right after I bought the tires so I assumed the tires were bad. I replaced the following to no avail.
. front end aligned
. tires road force balanced
. checked rear end and changed out fluids
. new u-joints in drive shaft (helped a little)
The final solution was I replaced the drive shaft with a new oem one. Vibration gone, rides as smooth as silk.
Hope this helps.
. front end aligned
. tires road force balanced
. checked rear end and changed out fluids
. new u-joints in drive shaft (helped a little)
The final solution was I replaced the drive shaft with a new oem one. Vibration gone, rides as smooth as silk.
Hope this helps.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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I had a "rumble strip" like vibration at 50 to 60 mph and it drove me nuts. It started this spring and I was told it was my tires. After I had them balanced, and they were off a bit, the vibration continued. I finally inspected my u-joints on my rear driveshaft and they were worn out pretty bad. I replace them and now my Ex rides nice and smooth.
-Brian
-Brian
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New User
Joined: May 2008
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From: Grifton, NC
Thanks for the input/advice. This week I spent a couple of hours in my driveway replacing each tire with the original spare tire and the vibration did not seem to change. (It felt a little better on the last tire, but it may have been me dreaming and wishing that this would fix it) I am going back to the Ford store tomorrow a driving a 2004 LTD they have on the lot to see if the vibrations are just a trait of the "X." (Maybe I am being too picky, I just don't understand why my 04 250 was smooth and the "X" is not.)
Is the driveshaft something I can do in the driveway? (I have all air tools and a jack & jack stands that will lift and support the truck.) Am I correct in the fact that the driveshaft needs to be "timed?" If I replace the old with a new one, how do I know the timing is correct?
Thanks again for all of your assistance!!
Is the driveshaft something I can do in the driveway? (I have all air tools and a jack & jack stands that will lift and support the truck.) Am I correct in the fact that the driveshaft needs to be "timed?" If I replace the old with a new one, how do I know the timing is correct?
Thanks again for all of your assistance!!
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
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xfornow, the driveshaft is balanced prior to install, there is no timing done on it. I would check u joints. Easiest way to check them without removing the drive shaft that ive found is chock the front wheels front and back on level ground, put the truck in neutral to free the driveshaft, get under the truck and by the front u joint take both hands and try to shake up and down to check for play, repeat at the rear u joint. If theres any movement replace the u joint. I would replace both at the same time if there is a problem with one. By the way a bad shock can also cause a vibration, I had it happen on my ex before i replaced the shocks. Check for leaks in the shocks. Just grasping at straws, good luck, let us know how you make out.
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New User
Joined: May 2008
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From: Grifton, NC
Thanks for the quick replies! I drove the 04 today and it did not have the vibration. I am not sure if the tire/wheels were put in the same position or not. I am planning on taking my truck to them to have them swap the 04's tires/wheels with mine to totally eliminate my tires. I am thinking that twisted289 may be on to something with the u-joints. I will check them out one night this week after work. It just seems odd to me that the driveshaft would all of a sudden be out of balance, a weak or dead u-joint seems to make sense. I will post my findings as I go.
Thanks agian!!
Thanks agian!!