trouble shooting help.

[ScubaDive]

Ford 3.0L 2008
140K

I have taken it the dealership 2 times for this very thing and each time they come up with nothing.
I drive to work about 45km, takes about ~45min at different speed 50km\h to 100km\h and only sometimes I will get a heavy vibration and feel it a lot in the steering wheel, while the vibration is happening if I apply the brakes I will hear the vibration there as well. This vibration will “generally” last until I come to a complete stop or slow right down, but this so intermitted that it will be there on the drive home but not on the drive into work. What is really strange is this was happening in the winter and the only thing the dealership could think of doing is take the winter tires off and put on the summer, since it was the end of the winter I let them do it and the problem went away until a week ago the same thing came back so I don’t think it’s the tires, so the problems been gone for a couple of months and now returns…. Any help??
I what to take the truck back the dealership but I can’t afford to lose the truck for more than the day.
From things I have been reading, kind of point me to the U-joint but I would think the dealership would see if there was an issue with that, wouldn’t they?

 

[ScubaDive]

I found the org. post I made when this problem 1st started:
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136008
its dated 01-10-2013
so I have gone about 6 months with no real problems in terms of the vibration. One of the guys I work with told me to get the drive shaft bearnings checked out or the drive shaft yoke also some of you made that comment as well in the org. post....
I would tend to think that this is stuff that the dealership would be able to see\find... am I wrong in assuming this?

 

[RonD]

Maybe one shock has an issue.

Shocks generally have 3 valves, 3 different sizes, a smaller valve for fine dampening, medium for small bumps and larger valve for those big bumps.

If the small valve isn't working or is intermittently working on one shock then a little bump while driving could start a vibration, it would continue until you stopped or slowed way down.

Unfortunately I don't know of anyway of testing for this type of failure, so just throwing it out as a possible cause.
Since you feel it in the steering wheel I would assume one of the front shocks.

 

[ScubaDive]

Thanks for the input RonD.
is this something that could be easy to clean out? or just time for a new shock if it comes down to that?

I am still wondering, if its the drive shaft bearnings or yoke.... again wouldn't the dealership be able to see this?
With the amount of vibration I would also think there should be something they could see (worn parts / dirt fallen off in one place more then others )

 

[RonD]

No, no way to test that on a shock.

In 2001 Ford switched to Live Axles for the 4x4 part, so front differential and drive line are in motion when vehicle is.
So could be drive line vibration if you have a 4x4.
But if you have a 2WD then no probably not, if you feel it in the steering wheel.

Nothing magical about mechanics, dealer or independent, if they can't duplicate the vibration in the shop or test drive then they can't find the problem.
And it's not that the mechanic doesn't believe there is a vibration, lol, just hard to find the "cricket" when it's sleeping.

It will no doubt get worse, which will, in most cases, make it easier to find and repair.

Does vibration go away when you go around a corner?

Does it go away when you press and release the brakes?

Could even be power steering pump/system with an issue.

 

[ScubaDive]

RonD:
"It will no doubt get worse, which will, in most cases, make it easier to find and repair.

Does vibration go away when you go around a corner?

Does it go away when you press and release the brakes?"

So far it hasn't done it at all this weekend, and I have an appt set up with the dealership on Monday Morning. I would think if its going to get worse, will its had like 7month to get worse and no its still so intermitted that I am banging my head on the wall.

The vibration is still there going around corners, the does not seem to affect it.

As for pressing the brakes, it feels worse. When the vibration starts and I start pressing the brakes to come to a stop or turn off the road the truck seems to shake worse and you can feel that in the brakes.

Really I am out of ideas and not sure what else to tell the dealership.

 

[RonD]

Is this a 2WD or 4x4?

Steering control vibrations tend to stop when cornering.
i.e. tierods, ball joints, a-frames, CV/joint, power steering

Wheel vibration issues tend to stop when brakes are applied.
i.e. out of balance tire/wheel, loose brake caliper, CV/joint

Suspension is about the only thing left.

If it is a 4x4 then you might ask them to remove the front drive line and then you drive it for a week or two and see if vibration comes back.
I haven't heard of a drive line vibration coming and going, they are usually speed related and once they start they are there 24/7 when that speed is reached, until repaired.
Much like a tire/wheel that is out of balance, it doesn't tend to come and go.


It sounds like it will be a tough one to track down

Do you have front ABS system?
Long shot but not 0 shot, lol.

 

[ScubaDive]

2WD
and as for the ABS (I would guess ?yes? wouldn't all newer cars have that standard?)
If your thinking the ABS is kicking in at random, that would be a real long shot. The brakes aren't tuch'ie and the truck does come to a stop fine its just shaking the whole time. besides wouldn't that cause the ABS light to come on or flash at the very lest the check eng. light and a code??
I am by no means mechanically inclined but I try to do as much as I can and have no problem asking for help.

 

[RonD]

Yes, ABS is a long shot, power brakes can apply slight pressure without input from driver, faulty atmosphere valve.
ABS system is based on wheel sensors, unless there is a complete failure, there would be no fault detected.
Dragging brake with ABS pulse could provide a vibration.
Long shot, lol.

2WD takes front axles/drive line and C/V joints out.

Put a load in the back of the truck and see if it causes or reduces vibration happening.

 

[ScubaDive]

Thats a good idea.
how much of a load do you think is ideal?

Thanks for all the input RonD.

 

[RonD]

I would try 400-500lbs on or behind the rear axle, and a full tank of gas, "A pint is a pound the world around", so 10gal. of gas is 80lbs.

Get a load of dirt, sand or rock to do some landscaping

 

[ScubaDive]

So I took into the dealship on the Monday morning and they had it all day, with no luck.. They took the truck out a number of times and the truck would not do any vibration for them, nuts!! So I picked up the truck and had some stuff to do Tuesday I was driving upto the inlaws house and sure now it starts to do the vibration thing, I come to a stop and start going again, the vibration stoped. I put a load of mulch (one yard) in the back and was back and nothing.... Now I do recall that a couple of weeks ago I had a big and heavie dog house in the back and the truck was vibrating with that in the back so I don't know what that is about. I'm at a lose here not sure what the next step is.