[2002F250]

Hey guys....

I'm still getting used to my new (to me) truck, bought it a few weeks ago. Well, a couple weeks back while I was towing a 18 ft enclosed Haulmark trailer with a Suzuki Samari and two quads in it down the highway I noticed a vibration in the floor board. It started about half way through the trip, I just thought it was the road because it kinda came and went every now and then. Ever since then it's been more constant. Over the past couple weeks I've been trying to figure out when the vibration starts and stops, and to me it seems that I feel it when the TC locks up, and stops when it unlocks. Does this make any sense? Is this even possible? Sometimes the vibration is very slight, while other times it's more pronounced. I'm fairly mechanically inclined and to me this does not feel normal....but I'm new to the straight axle/diesel trucks, so maybe I'm just worrying about nothing.

Anyway, if any of you fella's could help me out in any way I'd appreciate it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif Thanks in advance!

 

[trucktech]

If you touch the brake pedal enough to light the brake lights it will also unlock the TQ. Next time you feel the vibration, touch the brakes and see if it goes away. If it does, contact a good tranny shop or pick up a TQ and seal. Its better to get it fixed before it completely craps out.

 

[jamjriii]

Test the TQ and if that is not it look to the U-Joints and carrier bearing.

 

[HenryJ]

2002

If your belly is like mine you will have to pull it in a little and hurry up and get underneath to check the U Joints. That is a good place to start and don't involve pitching money at it.

As far as the tc unlocking, my ole 99 never uynlocks when I tap the brakes or stand on them. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif Been that way for years.

 

[2002F250]

Thanks for the replies fella's. I noticed that on the way home from work yesterday that I felt the vibration at slower speeds, before the TC locked up..so it's probably not that. I had though about the u-joints or carrier bearing also, just haven't really checked them out yet....guess I'll have to get my butt underneath the truck. What's the best way to see if the u-joints or the carrier bearing is going bad?

 

[trucktech]

The only way to check the Ujoints is to remove the driveshaft. Twist each of the joints and feel to see that they are smooth and not binding or rough. Spin the carrier bearing and listen for noise, feel for rough or binding or loosness.

 

[2002F250]

*UPDATE*

I finally got around to dropping the driveshaft....the u-joints feel good and so does the carrier bearing. I'm stumped fella's. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif

Now, yesterday on the way home from work, this vibration started to be constant....whether the engine is idleing or driving down the road...doesn't matter. And the "type" of the vibration changed slightly....now it feels like a high pitched harmonic vibration through the floorboard...almost to the point that my left foot (resting on the floorboard) feels like it's gonna go numb from the vibration. I don't really notice it under acceleration. I hope it's nothing in the motor.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif Maybe something in the trans or TC?

On a side note....On the way TO work yesterday, I brake torqued the truck and built about 10lbs of boost and then took off...basically just seeing what the truck would do. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif Do you think this has anything to do with the constant vibration that started on my way home from work? Did I possibly stress something in the motor/tranny too much while doing the brake torque? I'm a little over do for a trans fluid change...could this have any affect on this?

Thanks in advance.... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[2002F250]

anybody? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/depressed.gif

Richter??

 

[harmonjustin]

i had my TC bolts loosen up and i definately had a vibration. it was BAD when the truck was idling, but the vibration would smooth out once i starting moving. it started as a slight vibration, but got worse. this happened after pulling a heavy trailer over a mountain pass. i would get it to a tranny shop - my TC was smoked and the tranny only had 2500 miles on it.

 

[Richter69]

If the converter is coming apart then yes it can vibrate. The bolts being loose or even a flywheel weight coming off can do it as well. If the vibration is oinpointed to engind speed and not road speed then I would look into this area. An engine miss will also feel like a vibration at times. Usually a converter letting go inside will have some noise with it.

 

[stackedpsd99]

Check other stupid stuff first.

Justin said "TC bolts" probably something like that.

 

[2002F250]

First off....thanks for the replies fella's. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Ok, I went out and checked the TC bolts and also looked for any signs of missing or loose flywheel weights. I got just a fraction of a turn on one of the TC bolts, all the rest were tight. Flywheel weight looked good...nothing appeared to be missing or coming loose. I started the truck up after checking those things and the vibration is still there....it is definately related to engine speed, not road speed.

If the TC is going out, what type of noise will it make? The engine does not "feel" like it's missing....she seems to run just fine. How obvious is a "miss" in a diesel engine? What do I look/listen for? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Well, if the TC is going out, I hope it lasts another week or so...I'm leaving this sunday to go up north for a week. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif

 

[dsldandually]

when you did a brake stand you could have stressed a motor mount or trans mount.....I had a vibration in my last truck and chased it all over it turned out I had a bad motor mount

 

[2002F250]

[ QUOTE ]

Well, if the TC is going out, I hope it lasts another week or so...I'm leaving this sunday to go up north for a week. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/phoney.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, I have been back almost a week now and she's still running... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I have noticed something while on my trip and since I've been back home.....the type of fuel I burn seems to make a difference in the vibration in the truck. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif Is that possible? Maybe a bad injector? I've ran a few tanks of B20 biodiesel prior to going on my trip....during my trip I ran regular #2 diesel with adding Powerservice at each fill up (no bio available)...and now since I've been back I filled up with B20 again. While burning the reg. #2 diesel on my trip I barely noticed the vibration, but now back on B20 it seems more pronounced again. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif Is it possible that the type of fuel being burnt will cause the engine to have more or less vibration?

 

[Catahoula]

I am having the same problem. Mechanic rebuilt the TC and flushed trans. (used syn since 30k) and the vibration is STILL there. Noticed it to be very pronounced when stopping on an incline and barely touching the accerator pedal. I notice the vibration in the cab when parked. Engine noise also seems to be louder than normal. Truck has 164k. Fuel filter has been changed. Any ideas on what to check next...THANKS for any help.

 

[2002F250]

I wish there was an easy way to find this vibration... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif Mine now comes and goes...no consistancy to it. I've about given up and just decided to deal with it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Inc]

my vote is for engine/trans mounts

 

[Catahoula]

2002f250 - I was hoping you had figured it out...at least you know it,s not the TC. $1600 later & I still got the vibration!

Inc - Thanks for the tip, I will check it out.

Keep 'em coming guys, we will get it figured out.

The best way for me to describe it...sounds and feels like an exhaust leak with lots of vibration. Mpg has not dropped at all.

Thanks for any sugestions...will post the results, when fixed!

 

[2002F250]

Nope I have NOT figured it out yet....mine is more of a harmonic vibration.

How do you check the motor/trans mounts without removing them?

 

[mf250]

Check the injector on the number eight cylinder as we I have the same vibration and it appears to be an inherant flaw in the f250