Notices
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

vibration at speed from pilot bushing?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 20, 2008 | 01:12 AM
  #1  
f1barry's Avatar
f1barry
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
15 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 55
Likes: 2
From: Marin County, CA
vibration at speed from pilot bushing?

I am running a stock flathead 8 and 3 speed in my 51. When i get to freeway speeds, sometimes it runs smoothly but other times vibrates. If I step on the clutch and release it, the vibration changes and in a few tries I can usually get it to engage without vibration. I suspect the pilot bushing but don't want to go in blindly. Anyone have experience with this?
 
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2008 | 06:24 AM
  #2  
ghall's Avatar
ghall
Mountain Pass
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 217
Likes: 19
From: Central NC
I have the same situation and cure on a 56 with a y block/3speed combo... just like you, i can settle in it with a press or two of the clutch pedal at speed.

I also suspect my pilot bushing...(or even lack of!) and will investigate when i pull the transmission for an OD swap...
I also suspect this was from previous owner work...

i also thought it could be a worn input bearing or collar, but no confirmation.
 
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2008 | 08:34 AM
  #3  
ALBUQ F-1's Avatar
ALBUQ F-1
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 27,294
Likes: 1,055
From: NM
Don't rule out U-joints, I've had that exact situation when the front U-joint is shot. It will be obvious if so.

I'd be surprised if it's the pilot bushing, you'd have massive chatter on take-off if it was that bad. There just isn't much mass to cause vibration if the input shaft is misaligned. It would also be RPM dependent, not speed dependent.
 
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2008 | 09:19 AM
  #4  
bigwin56f100's Avatar
bigwin56f100
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,366
Likes: 1,726
From: AKRON ohio
U joints or drive line angles I check first.

Kevin Bigwin
 
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2008 | 03:52 PM
  #5  
52'F-3's Avatar
52'F-3
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 670
Likes: 6
From: south-central PA
Club FTE Silver Member

if your going down a straight road at a constant speed/rpm and you press the clutch pedal in/out and can get a vibration to change.

1. it's good chance it's in the clutch assembly, (pilot bearing included) i've seen this problem fixed with a new clutch/pressure plate, pilot and throwout bearing replacement, but i can't say which one it was.

2. like the others, could still be other driveline imbalances. worn anything... alot of the time driveshaft vibrations show up as, growing noise/feeling when accelerating hard from a stop. and your most able to feel around 45 to 50 mph. fyi, u-joints, yokes etc... can all be good but your angles are alittle out of phase due to worn tranny mounts or sagging leaf springs......

(accelerating hard can pitch the pinion up alittle causing the u-joint angles to change)....
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2008 | 12:58 PM
  #6  
f1barry's Avatar
f1barry
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
15 Year Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 55
Likes: 2
From: Marin County, CA
Thanks, I will check the u-joints. The drivetrain is pretty much stock and sitting about right so I doubt it is alignment. I do get some vibration variation at lower speeds with higher rpms but not as noticeable as at 50 - 60 mph.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
sperryhonda
2004 - 2008 F150
5
Sep 13, 2014 07:53 PM
'99 5.4L DUTY
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
7
Nov 3, 2013 12:09 PM
BigJake86
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
4
Oct 30, 2004 07:15 PM
Dyerstown
Big Block V8 - 385 Series (6.1/370, 7.0/429, 7.5/460)
4
Mar 19, 2004 09:12 PM
rexx1234
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Nov 18, 2003 10:39 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:17 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 09:39:23


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE