Drivetrain vibration - Diesel Forum

**danielcward** · 11-09-2009, 11:16 AM

I've got a drivetrain vibration and last week I had new ujoints installed after reading a few threads on causes. It occurs when accelerating and goes away when coasting. It seems better after ujoints but still there. I noticed this morning that when in cruise it will come and go a bit when the Ex goes over dips or bumps in the road. And definitely still there when I lay into the accelerator. It seems worst in the 45-60 range, as speed seems to dampen it a bit.

The fellow that changed ujoints is just a local mechanic and probably not a drive train expert. The ujoints were starting to wear but not bad. He said there was a little play in the drivetrain where it slides into itself and that it wasn't greasable. He said the fluid in the diff looked good but there was a little bit of metal on the magnetic plug.

I plan to take it to a more sophisticated shop, but just curious if anyone has any thoughts. It currently has about 220,000 miles and I want to get this sorted out as it still purrs like a kitten.

Thanks - Dan

bryrylan · 11-10-2009, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielcward

I've got a drivetrain vibration and last week I had new ujoints installed after reading a few threads on causes. It occurs when accelerating and goes away when coasting. It seems better after ujoints but still there. I noticed this morning that when in cruise it will come and go a bit when the Ex goes over dips or bumps in the road. And definitely still there when I lay into the accelerator. It seems worst in the 45-60 range, as speed seems to dampen it a bit.

The fellow that changed ujoints is just a local mechanic and probably not a drive train expert. The ujoints were starting to wear but not bad. He said there was a little play in the drivetrain where it slides into itself and that it wasn't greasable. He said the fluid in the diff looked good but there was a little bit of metal on the magnetic plug.

I plan to take it to a more sophisticated shop, but just curious if anyone has any thoughts. It currently has about 220,000 miles and I want to get this sorted out as it still purrs like a kitten.

Thanks - Dan

I have the SAME EXACT PROBLEM TO THE T! I hope someone pipes up about this I been chasing it for years.....I was planning on geting the shaft balanced to see if that d fix it.

klutz1 · 11-10-2009, 06:19 PM

From my previous posts below. Story ended after the replacing the rear axle bearings with a bearing/seal kit in 2007. Turns out the pinion gear slipped back and started to mill the ring gear. ( Leaking pinion bearing seal was replaced in 2000 by dealer) Checked it 11/1 and found seal sweating again but diff. full. I will leave it alone. Rear seal seems to be a problem on these trucks.

POSTED 2007 "Did search on drive shafts?? Maybe, maybe not??
I have a sort of Hum that occurs when the truck is rolling. Most noticable at 30- 45 mph. Hum sounds like W00000000. A ghost?? No CLUNK, CLATTER, OR RUMBLE. Tried in gear & out of gear (neutral) , clutch in clutch out, and in idle down hill --same constant noise, no change. No noise at Idle standing still.Two piece drive shaft,stick, 2000 F250 SD 60M miles.FW bearings greased at 55. Started 150 miles ago. Otherwise runs great? Any suggestions what it could be?

(Noticed noise after a trip to Tx. and back to Az. Checked tires, rotated and changed pressure, but will do again. Running original Firestones Steeltex with 56M on them. No flats spots.FWB greased at 50M. I assume that a dry spline would clatter. No Clatter. No noise starting and stopping. Doubt that it is a universal."
Thanks Tom [/b]

**danielcward** · 11-11-2009, 08:42 AM

Thanks Tom - I'm going to take it to a drivetrain/transmission specialist that has been recommended. I'll report back when I figure things out bryryan. Mine comes with a low rumble/growl sound. - Dan

JimTJr · 11-11-2009, 08:46 AM

I would pull the drive shaft and check all three "U" joints. Mine had the growl, ect... no clunk or anything. I found one of them pretty dry. Replaced all three and the center bearing. Smooth as can be now.

**Beast** · 11-11-2009, 09:10 AM

I notice you both have chips. I have been chasing this as well. It sounds like you only have it under load/acceleration. Under load/towing mine had unbearable grone. I went back to stock exhaust and it is better but it is still there. I can put my chip back to stock programming and it doesn't do it. I would try that first. I also have traction bars so I don't have axle wrap anymore. But the stock springs can definetly have some axle wrap particularly using a chip. I wonder if there is something in the transmission, etc. that just reviberates more with the Excursion body.

**danielcward** · 12-17-2009, 08:09 AM

Want to report back with solution. As I mentioned above I had the ujoints replaced and the vibration got a bit better but didn't go away. Took it to the Ford dealer and had CPS and Cruise recalls done and told them to fix vibration. Turns out there were weights missing on the shaft and the new ujoints weren't in as tight as they should be. They clamped a weight on the shaft and installed new ujoints and it's smoother than I remember. I'm guessing I was missing weights for a while.

On another note I was looking at drive shaft pricing from dealers and I see Tousley Ford is now a sponsor.........if you want to see some super pricing take a look!