vibration after dealer replaced torque converter

[John H]

About a month ago the dealer replaced the converter & front pump due to shutter at low speeds. (Its a 2001 4x4 edge) They also replaced front left hub as well. Anyway after I got the truck back I noticed a slight vibration so I took it & had all tires and rims checked everything was balanced fine. went back to thew dealer & the service guy said the vibration couldn't have anything to do with the work on the transmission or the hub. My buddy got under the truck & noticed the bolts on the front of the rear driveshaft werew only hanging on by a few threads so he locktighted them on. so far it still vibrates & the dealer refuses to check their work,so how could i go about finding the source of the problem? All the U-joints are fine as well. I thought about putting the truck on jackstands & running it at low speeds to see if anything would vibrate but im not sure if it would work or not. Any suggestions appreciated

 

[Toms01PSD]

Did they mark the driveshaft and flanges on the back of the t-case/rear differential? If they didn't mark it, they have reinstalled the driveshaft in a different position throwing it out of balance. Check the front driveshaft too.

May be a pointless question but, do you know if they removed the flexplate? There's no reason to, but if it's removed and reinstalled in a different position it would be out of balance, too.

Did you notice any vibration before? I've noticed in a few Ford trucks, not just Rangers, that they tend to vibrate a little.

 

[John H]

Im not sure bout the flexplate but i didn't see any marks on driveshaft or flanges. What would be the easiest way to get the driveshaft back on in correct position? or is it a matter of remove rotate it reinstall & drive? Thanks for your help

 

[Big Jim M]

Howdy John. Where did you get the tire balance done? I'm betting on the tires being still out of balance. I have found the discount places don't do the job I want on tire balance. I'd be taking the ride back to the Ford dealer and having him balance the tires.. I do agree with the dealer that what they did shouldn't cause a vibration.
I always purchase major brand tires from one of their dealers. NEVER again will I use a discount place. I've got some funny stories about tire balance...funny if it wasn't YOU that it happened to.
Big Jim

 

[r1hatman]

Take it back to them and make them fix it! Go over their heads if you have to.

 

[hardfaces]

Hey John, before you get all crazy check the U-bolts on the U-joints just to make sure one or two aren't loose they may have forgot one...hey it happens.
If that looks good, I'm with 'r1hatman' take it back. If you jack with it, it may void the warranty of the work they done already.

 

[John H]

I had the balance done at discount tire,they did the road force balance as recommended by the dealership but it didn't help,i'll recheck the u-joint stuff again

 

[Big Jim M]

John if the balance problem is where the dealer worked it will vibrate while reving the engine and sitting still.. If it only vibrates while moving, it could be the driveshafts..but I still betcha it is that damn discount balance.. Them guys don't have a clue.
Big JIm

 

[Toms01PSD]

I got money on the driveshafts...

 

[SMTGREG]

At what speed is the vibration worse? Is the vibration road speed related MPH or engine speed related RPM. The driveshaft vibration feels more like a buzz because the drive shafts turn at about 3 times the speed of the wheels. To test for drive shaft vibration first remove the front drive shaft and road test. If still there install front driveshaft and remove rear drive shaft, put transfer case in 4 wheel high and road test.

 

[F150hybred]

To test for drive shaft vibration first remove the front drive shaft and road test. If still there install front driveshaft and remove rear drive shaft, put transfer case in 4 wheel high and road test.

Makes sense to me.