FordExcursions.com Forums
David Rush
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• Greenville, SC, USA |
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• Registered on 4/11/2004 |
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• 233 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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 Posted:4/23/2007 22:08 |
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I have searched different threads and still don't have a clear picture of driveshaft vibration. I have an 01 4X2 in perfect condition. Everything has been maintained to the point that the service guy at Ford told me I "over maintain". ANyway, I get a vibration at 76-79 mph. I have Michelin LTX M&S Tires with less than 20K miles on them. They are rotated every 6k miles and computer balanced. The vibration is in the seats, not the steering wheel. The same vibration occurs regardless of which pair of tires is on the back. Would a drive shaft being out of balance cause a problem like this????
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monsta
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• The Big Island, HI, USA |
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• Registered on 1/5/2002 |
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• 1,056 posts |
• 2 Vehicles
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Posted:4/24/2007 01:38 |
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I doubt your driveshaft is out of balance. I mean, really...how in the world would that all of a sudden happen? Its a metal tube.
Now I can see a U-joint starting to go bad causing a vibration at that speed.
What have you done thus far to try an eliminate the vibration?
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housedad
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• mt royal, NJ, USA |
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• Registered on 10/8/2005 |
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• 88 posts |
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Posted:4/24/2007 07:37 |
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Monsta-
The balance weights are spot welded on the shaft. sometimes they get thrown or ripped off.
The problem might be bad u-joints, pinion bearings, or a out of balnce wheel or tire that took a hit and became out of round or lost a weight. |
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aobrien
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• Winchester, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 6/3/2005 |
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• 30 posts |
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Posted:4/24/2007 11:15 |
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I'm in exactly the same boat as Dave is. Exceptionally well maintained with road force balancing employed on tires so I know for certain it's not coming from there. Very aggravating over a long drive... |
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02excursion73
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• Herndon, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 1/8/2007 |
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• 46 posts |
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Posted:4/24/2007 19:38 |
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David,
I had this same problem for months. The vibration was at the same speeds (65-75), very annoying and you could feel it in your feet.
Installed new tires, no help. Pulled off the driveshaft and sent it off to be rebalanced, no help. We finally checked the pinion bearings in the rear diff. and found them to be in fairly bad shape. Replaced the pinon bearings and the vibration went away.
I have read several threads about owners of newer Excursions having this same vibration problem and solved it by shimming the rear diff at the springs to slighty change the driveshaft angle. I believe this was a solution master minded by a Ford mechanic/engineer that was sent to a Ford dealer [i]by [/i]Ford to solve a problem that the in house mechanics could not.
I still have some vibration/noise issues coming from the rear axle area but is at low speeds when I am on and off the throttle. Good luck with your rig. Brian
2002 Excursion 4*4 Limited, Motorcraft AIS, Oil Crossover Tube, Zoodad Mod, Pirelli ATR 285's, Magnaflow 4" exhaust with 3.5" downpipe and twin mufflers,
V codes with mini spring packs, Modified F codes, Rancho steering stabilizer, Edelbrock shocks, 05 X rear anti sway bar, V10 Trans cooler, Diesel Site 203 Thermostat. |
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David Rush
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• Greenville, SC, USA |
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• Registered on 4/11/2004 |
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• 233 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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Posted:4/24/2007 21:19 |
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I had the rear differental service done a couple of months ago and they did not say anything and they are usually very thorough as I know these guys at the dealership for 20 years. What is road force balancing???
02 I will get those bearings rechecked. If you are having rear axle issues, if you haven't done so, check on Landyot radius rods they are fantastic at stopping spring wrap. The Hellwig anti sway bar is also reccommended.
I have rotated tires twice and they are computer balanced each time--I notice no difference. As tight as the rear suspension is after radius rods and the anti sway bar--I expect some stiffness related vibrations--but this is a pain in the arse.  |
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Keith Ruff
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• Manahawkin, NJ, USA |
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• Registered on 8/30/2004 |
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• 41 posts |
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Posted:4/24/2007 22:27 |
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As per my biting the bullet post, my tires were out of balance at high speeds, but most of my vibration was coming from the constant velocity joint within the driveshaft, plus my driveshaft was out of balance. The driveshaft fix/wheel balancing was around $400 of the $2400 bill I just had, the rest was shot hubs and upper and lower ball joints, and a tune-up. Vibration is gone for the most part, I can hear a resonant noise at 75 now, just dont feel it. Sort of sounds like a prop plane when the right and left prop are out of synch a bit, that , waaaa waaaa waaa waaaa, but just dont feel it. Not sure if its just the motor at that speed or something else that is turning at that speed, but I'm glad it doesn't feel like something is going to explode at 75mph anymore! |
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aobrien
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• Winchester, VA, USA |
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• Registered on 6/3/2005 |
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• 30 posts |
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Posted:4/25/2007 14:22 |
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Dave,
The road force balance system is used to help detect potential tire uniformity causes of vibration that are not balance-related. The system utilizes a "road roller" which applies up to 1,400 pounds (635 kg) of force against the wheel and tire assembly to measure their combined uniformity. This simulated road force test helps verify if the assembly is "round" when rolling under load. Makes a "huge" difference in my experience and most good shops have the equipment to do the work. Oh, and it's not expensive - in fact my shop doesn't charge me anything additional beyond normal balance cost (I don't even pay for that because I got my tires from them).  |
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David Rush
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• Greenville, SC, USA |
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• Registered on 4/11/2004 |
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• 233 posts |
• 1 Vehicle
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 Posted:5/2/2007 06:43 |
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Thanks guys--Road force balancing did the trick!!!! |
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