60 mph vibration..???

02 Ranger with fx4 level 2 suspinsion.. Yes I know it wasn't named anything but 4X4 but it is all there anyway.
Problem is vibration at about 60 mph. It is worse when on level ground with steady power.. Upon depressing the clutch pedal the vibration stops! The vehicle glides along great.. Then letting the clutch out and here comes the vibration again.
Question is what is out of balance? As the speed increaces to 70 the vibration lessons...or seems to anyway.
I purchased this ride from the want ads on this site 3 or so years ago. This appears to be my first post but the reason is I cannot remember who this site thinks I am..
Any hints as to the vibration are welcomed.
Big Jim

If it depends on road speed and goes away when you press the clutch, it's a driveline vibration. It's just less noticeable with the clutch depressed since the vibration is then only hammering the transmission instead of the transmission and engine. If you can get it going faster then you may start to notice with the clutch depressed as well.

Check your u-joints for looseness.
Check your driveshaft for any bends or thrown weights. The easy way to do that is to jack up one wheel and place a pointer of some sort very close to the driveshaft near its center. Rotate the driveshaft slowly and see how much wobble you get. Anything more than 1/16" I'd consider too much. Thrown weights are easy to spot since they'll leave a broken tack weld behind.
Also check your driveshaft for twist. If you've pulled any silly stunts recently or dumped the clutch, it's possible to twist the yokes out of time. The yokes should be aligned.
And if you've done anything that could change your pinion angle, like flipping shackles, return things to stock (or as close as you can get) and see if you get an improvement.
Finally, check for failed motor mounts. They'll let the engine slip down and change your driveline angles as well.

For a pointer near the driveshaft, I use my tape measure. I pull it out to the right height and lock it in place.

I'd say most likely motor mounts. When you depress the clutch and let off the gas you basicly isolate the engine from the drivetrain, thereby taking the load off the engine. Everything else in the drivetrain is still spinning at the same speed. IMO, if the vibration was tranny back you would still feel it.

Motor mounts seem fine...visual only and watching engine while running it up.. Took rear driveshaft off and drove it in front only.. Drove fine no noticeable vibration.
Checked rear driveshaft with 24" straight edge..found one side not straight. U-joints seem fine with tugging and pushing on them.. Driveshaft is at the machine shop as I type. I'll know more tomorrow about the driveshaft.
Big Jim

hopefully they only have to balance it.

Got the driveshaft back from the machine shop. They put two new weights on it, two new U-joints, and took the splined thingy off and greased it up real good... The Ranger drives like NEW now!! So my problem was indeed in the drive shaft.
As a side note I did drive her around for 2 days in 4 with only the front drive shaft in her.. Was the only front wheel drive pickup on the road.. Cost for repair was $94.
Big Jim

PM me a vin. I can check FMCdealer.com for any TSB's or stuff on it.

It seems that all of the stuff on vibration refers to the 4x4 models. Driveshaft and stuff. One thing caught my eye though that could effect anything with the FX package.

It was about wheel runout and tire pressures causing issues.

Below is the vibration OASIS report from FoMoCo. It applies to all 2002 Rangers. Much of it is 4x4's.




OASIS RESULT:
1FTZR45E72PA67049
04/23/2008
20:24:49
FCXWS447
© Copyright 2002-2008 Ford Motor Company. All rights reserved.

VEHICLE INFORMATION
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION
2002 RANGER BODY STYLE
SUPERCAB 4 DOOR 4X4 ENGINE
4.0L SOHC
TRANSMISSION
5 SPD MANUAL - M5R4 AXLE CODE
R7 ENGINE CALIBRATION
1R32B40A
WARNING MESSAGES
CUDL - THIS VEHICLE HAS A CLOSED CUDL CONTACT
ARN MESSAGES
GENERAL WARRANTY INFORMATION
WARRANTY START DATE
02/15/2002 BUILD DATE
01/02/2002 SALE MILEAGE
00025
OUTSTANDING FIELD SERVICE ACTIONS
02M01
CAUTION: MAY NOT NEED REPAIR; SERVICE ONLY IF CONCERN IS PRESENT. PLEASE REFER TO DEALER LETTER FOR PROGRAM COVERAGE TUBE-MOUNTED EGR PRESSURE SENSOR - ADDITIONAL COVERAGE OF 2 YRS/24,000 MILES - S EE BULLETIN 02M01 FOR 2002 2.0L ZETEC FOCUS' W/DASH MOUNTED EGR PRESSURE SENSOR
05S28
PERFORM PRIOR TO VEHICLE DELIVERY: SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH
EXTENDED COVERAGES
NO ESP INFORMATION AVAILABLE
WARRANTY REPAIR HISTORY
NO RECENT REPAIR HISTORY ON VEHICLE
Click Here for Full Warranty History


SYMPTOM CODE INFORMATION
597997 - DRIVELINE NOISE CONCERNS

SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGES
19235 1996-2007 MULTIPLE VEHICLES - CK TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE & TIRE INFLATION
SOME 4WD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTROL TRAC/INTELLIGENT 4WD/ALL WHEEL DRIVE MAY EXHIBIT A SHUDDER ON ACCELERATION, NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVELINE AND/OR TRANSFER CASE, AXLE WINDUP AND/OR BINDING WHILE DRIVING AND BEING OPERATED IN THE 4X4/AUTO 4X4 MODE. OTHER 4X4 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH (MANUAL OR ELECTRONIC SHIFT) AND A 4X2 MODE MAY ALSO NOT SHIFT ON THE FLY TO 4X4 AUTO OR 4X4 HIGH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS MAY BE DUE TO INCORRECT TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OR IMPROPER TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES. FOUR WHEEL DRIVE AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES REQUIRE THAT ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE THE SAME CIRCUMFERENCE. VERIFY THAT ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE NO MORE THAN 1/4 INCH VARIATION IN CIRCUMFERENCE AND THAT THEY ARE INFLATED TO THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURES(S).
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/19/2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

18871 MULTIPLE VEHICLES - AXLE GEAR MARKING COMPOUND 'XG-14'
MOTORCRAFT HAS RELEASED XG-14 MOTORCRAFT HIGH CONTRAST HYPOID GEAR MARKING COMPOUND FOR USE IN AXLE REPAIRS. CHECKING GEAR SET CONTACT TOOTH PATTERN CAN BE VERIFED EASIER WITH THE USE OF MOTORCRAFT GEAR MARKING COMPOUND. XG-14 WILL BE REFERENCED IN THE AXLE REPAIR SECTION OF FUTURE SHOP MANUALS. THE FEATURES OF THIS NEW PRODUCT INCLUDE: SPECIALLY FORMULATED TO BE NON-DAMAGING TO AXLE BEARINGS; COMPATIBLE WITH ALL FORD/MOTORCRAFT HYPOID GEAR LUBRICANTS; BRUSH-ON APPLICATION.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/11/2005

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

18864 MULTIPLE VEHICLES - MANUAL TRANSMISSION - GRINDING NOISE SHIFTING INTO 4L - NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC - MAKE NO REPAIR ATTEMPTS
MULTIPLE MODEL 4X4 VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A GRINDING NOISE WHILE SHIFTING INTO 4L. THIS CONDITION IS USUALLY WORSE ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, AND IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEUTRAL DRAG IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CONDITION IS NORMAL, NO REPAIR ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN. TO REDUCE NOISE, MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER QUICKLY LENGTH OF TIME IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION WILL RESULT IN INCREASED GRINDING AND HIGHER SHIFT EFFORTS TO GET BACK OUT OF NEUTRAL. ESOF AND CONTROL TRAC EQUIPPED VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CLUNKING NOISE WHILE SHIFTING INTO 4L. THIS IS ALSO CONSIDERED NORMAL. THE DEGREE OF NOISE VARIES GREATLY FROM VEHICLE TO VEHICLE (WITH SAME TRANS). COMPARE TO SIMILAR MODEL/YEAR VEHICLE BEFORE REPAIR.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/04/2005

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

16650 2001-2003 RANGER SUPER CAB 4X4 - DRIVESHAFT RATTLE NOISE
SOME 2001-2003 4X4 SUPER CAB RANGER (EXCLUDING FX4) MAY EXHIBIT A RATTLE NOISE FROM THE DRIVESHAFT, WHILE DRIVING. THIS RATTLE NOISE MAY BE DUE TO A PLASTIC CAP THAT HAS BEEN DISLODGED AND IS ROLLING INSIDE THE DRIVESHAFT. TO SERVICE, REPLACE WITH A NEW REVISED DRIVESHAFT PART NUMBER 3L5Z-4602-LA.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/27/2003

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS
04-23-07
1998-2005 RANGER 4X4: DRIVESHAFT - THUMP/CLUNK ON LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM STOP OR WHEN BRAKING AND COMING TO A STOP - RANGER 4X4 SUPER CAB
SOME RANGER 4X4 SUPER CAB VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A LOW FREQUENCY THUMP TYPE NOISE/VIBRATION ON LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM A STOP AND/OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH LIGHT TO MODERATE BRAKING. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY AXLE WIND UP DURING ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, CREATING A STICK/SLIP CONDITION AT THE REAR DRIVESHAFT SLIP YOKE SPLINES. A NEW TYPE OF GREASE IS AVAILABLE WHICH WILL GREATLY REDUCE THE STICKING/BINDING IN THE SLIP YOKE DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. TO SERVICE, APPLY THE NEW GREASE TO THE REAR DRIVESHAFT SLIP YOKE SPLINES.
See TSB for complete details
EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/11/2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
703000 - NVH VIBRATION CONCERNS

SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGES
19235 1996-2007 MULTIPLE VEHICLES - CK TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE & TIRE INFLATION
MESSAGE TEXT DISPLAYED UNDER A PRIOR CODE
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/19/2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS
04-23-07
1998-2005 RANGER 4X4: DRIVESHAFT - THUMP/CLUNK ON LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM STOP OR WHEN BRAKING AND COMING TO A STOP - RANGER 4X4 SUPER CAB
SOME RANGER 4X4 SUPER CAB VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A LOW FREQUENCY THUMP TYPE NOISE/VIBRATION ON LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM A STOP AND/OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH LIGHT TO MODERATE BRAKING. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY AXLE WIND UP DURING ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, CREATING A STICK/SLIP CONDITION AT THE REAR DRIVESHAFT SLIP YOKE SPLINES. A NEW TYPE OF GREASE IS AVAILABLE WHICH WILL GREATLY REDUCE THE STICKING/BINDING IN THE SLIP YOKE DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. TO SERVICE, APPLY THE NEW GREASE TO THE REAR DRIVESHAFT SLIP YOKE SPLINES.
See TSB for complete details
EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/11/2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



SYMPTOM CODE INFORMATION What's This? Prioritized View Classic View


597997 - DRIVELINE NOISE CONCERNS

SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGES
19235 1996-2007 MULTIPLE VEHICLES - CK TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE & TIRE INFLATION
SOME 4WD VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CONTROL TRAC/INTELLIGENT 4WD/ALL WHEEL DRIVE MAY EXHIBIT A SHUDDER ON ACCELERATION, NOISE FROM THE FRONT DRIVELINE AND/OR TRANSFER CASE, AXLE WINDUP AND/OR BINDING WHILE DRIVING AND BEING OPERATED IN THE 4X4/AUTO 4X4 MODE. OTHER 4X4 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH (MANUAL OR ELECTRONIC SHIFT) AND A 4X2 MODE MAY ALSO NOT SHIFT ON THE FLY TO 4X4 AUTO OR 4X4 HIGH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS MAY BE DUE TO INCORRECT TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE OR IMPROPER TIRE INFLATION PRESSURES. FOUR WHEEL DRIVE AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES REQUIRE THAT ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE THE SAME CIRCUMFERENCE. VERIFY THAT ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE NO MORE THAN 1/4 INCH VARIATION IN CIRCUMFERENCE AND THAT THEY ARE INFLATED TO THE PROPER TIRE PRESSURES(S).
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/19/2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

18871 MULTIPLE VEHICLES - AXLE GEAR MARKING COMPOUND 'XG-14'
MOTORCRAFT HAS RELEASED XG-14 MOTORCRAFT HIGH CONTRAST HYPOID GEAR MARKING COMPOUND FOR USE IN AXLE REPAIRS. CHECKING GEAR SET CONTACT TOOTH PATTERN CAN BE VERIFED EASIER WITH THE USE OF MOTORCRAFT GEAR MARKING COMPOUND. XG-14 WILL BE REFERENCED IN THE AXLE REPAIR SECTION OF FUTURE SHOP MANUALS. THE FEATURES OF THIS NEW PRODUCT INCLUDE: SPECIALLY FORMULATED TO BE NON-DAMAGING TO AXLE BEARINGS; COMPATIBLE WITH ALL FORD/MOTORCRAFT HYPOID GEAR LUBRICANTS; BRUSH-ON APPLICATION.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/11/2005

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

18864 MULTIPLE VEHICLES - MANUAL TRANSMISSION - GRINDING NOISE SHIFTING INTO 4L - NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC - MAKE NO REPAIR ATTEMPTS
MULTIPLE MODEL 4X4 VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A GRINDING NOISE WHILE SHIFTING INTO 4L. THIS CONDITION IS USUALLY WORSE ON AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, AND IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE NEUTRAL DRAG IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS CONDITION IS NORMAL, NO REPAIR ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN. TO REDUCE NOISE, MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER QUICKLY LENGTH OF TIME IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION WILL RESULT IN INCREASED GRINDING AND HIGHER SHIFT EFFORTS TO GET BACK OUT OF NEUTRAL. ESOF AND CONTROL TRAC EQUIPPED VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CLUNKING NOISE WHILE SHIFTING INTO 4L. THIS IS ALSO CONSIDERED NORMAL. THE DEGREE OF NOISE VARIES GREATLY FROM VEHICLE TO VEHICLE (WITH SAME TRANS). COMPARE TO SIMILAR MODEL/YEAR VEHICLE BEFORE REPAIR.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 10/04/2005

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

16650 2001-2003 RANGER SUPER CAB 4X4 - DRIVESHAFT RATTLE NOISE
SOME 2001-2003 4X4 SUPER CAB RANGER (EXCLUDING FX4) MAY EXHIBIT A RATTLE NOISE FROM THE DRIVESHAFT, WHILE DRIVING. THIS RATTLE NOISE MAY BE DUE TO A PLASTIC CAP THAT HAS BEEN DISLODGED AND IS ROLLING INSIDE THE DRIVESHAFT. TO SERVICE, REPLACE WITH A NEW REVISED DRIVESHAFT PART NUMBER 3L5Z-4602-LA.
EFFECTIVE DATE: 02/27/2003

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS
04-23-07
1998-2005 RANGER 4X4: DRIVESHAFT - THUMP/CLUNK ON LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM STOP OR WHEN BRAKING AND COMING TO A STOP - RANGER 4X4 SUPER CAB
SOME RANGER 4X4 SUPER CAB VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A LOW FREQUENCY THUMP TYPE NOISE/VIBRATION ON LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM A STOP AND/OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH LIGHT TO MODERATE BRAKING. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY AXLE WIND UP DURING ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, CREATING A STICK/SLIP CONDITION AT THE REAR DRIVESHAFT SLIP YOKE SPLINES. A NEW TYPE OF GREASE IS AVAILABLE WHICH WILL GREATLY REDUCE THE STICKING/BINDING IN THE SLIP YOKE DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. TO SERVICE, APPLY THE NEW GREASE TO THE REAR DRIVESHAFT SLIP YOKE SPLINES.
See TSB for complete details
EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/11/2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
703000 - NVH VIBRATION CONCERNS

SPECIAL SERVICE MESSAGES
19235 1996-2007 MULTIPLE VEHICLES - CK TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE & TIRE INFLATION
MESSAGE TEXT DISPLAYED UNDER A PRIOR CODE
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/19/2006

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS
04-23-07
1998-2005 RANGER 4X4: DRIVESHAFT - THUMP/CLUNK ON LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM STOP OR WHEN BRAKING AND COMING TO A STOP - RANGER 4X4 SUPER CAB
SOME RANGER 4X4 SUPER CAB VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A LOW FREQUENCY THUMP TYPE NOISE/VIBRATION ON LIGHT ACCELERATION FROM A STOP AND/OR WHEN COMING TO A STOP WITH LIGHT TO MODERATE BRAKING. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY AXLE WIND UP DURING ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, CREATING A STICK/SLIP CONDITION AT THE REAR DRIVESHAFT SLIP YOKE SPLINES. A NEW TYPE OF GREASE IS AVAILABLE WHICH WILL GREATLY REDUCE THE STICKING/BINDING IN THE SLIP YOKE DURING ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. TO SERVICE, APPLY THE NEW GREASE TO THE REAR DRIVESHAFT SLIP YOKE SPLINES.
See TSB for complete details
EFFECTIVE DATE: 11/11/2004

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Use Local Rules Files (after refresh) Show Effectiveness Ratings (after refresh)


Request Hotline Assistance | Prior Approval | On-line 1878
END OF OASIS REPORT FOR 1FTZR45E72PA67049

Many thanks Jason

From all the reading I'd hazzard a guess that the -slip yoke- was the problem causing the vibration. Also the axle wind up has stopped too. I am fairly sure the machine shop didn't have the FORD grease mentioned in the oiece but anyway whatever they did use is working.
If it starts again in the future I'll take it to ford and get them to put the proper grease in it.
Thanks again.
Big JIm