Vibration

bud0994 · Mar 4, 2013

A while back a slight vibration started when I slow down almost to a stop it feels worse in the back seat on the floor boards. Last weekend I did brakes all the way around with new rotors on the rear now it is doing it when I go to take off with the wheels turned and more when I stop. But it doesn't do it all the time. I did a little reading last night on here and then I checked all the U-joints and the carrier bearing they all look good. I put the rear in the air and turned the drive shaft to see if I could hear anything grinding in the rear end and no noises but, I did notice that the drive shaft turned harder in reverse than going forward. I also looked and there was nothing touching the body like the downpipe. I put it in four wheel drive and took it out it doesn't change anything. I could also hear the transfer case engaging and disengaging. later this week I am going to get new tires so I will have the tires balanced then. but I was just wondering what I should do to further diagnose this issue next.

little luke · Mar 4, 2013

Stock down pipe? Reason I'm asking is I just had an issue with a thump/vibrating noise from my floor boards at times. It was the down pipe. Kicker was if I was on level ground it wouldn't touch the transmission support, but when I parked on an incline it was just enough for it to hit a bolt. This is with a 4 inch downpipe

bud0994 · Mar 4, 2013

I think it's 3 in but I'll check on that. Thanks

05wh250 · Mar 5, 2013

does yours have the stock limited slip? mine had a little shudder on take off every once in awhile, used fords additive 3 times never fixed it until i changed the fluid.

bud0994 · Mar 5, 2013

Yea it does the rear end is stock I was thinking of doing a change. I also have a 3 in down pipe not touching anything.

05wh250 · Mar 5, 2013

when you change it depending what oil you use you may or may not need the limited slip additive, it should say on the oil. also if you have a lift you can try shimming the carrier bearing down a little to see if that helps.

bud0994 · Mar 5, 2013

Ok thanks I am stock still so I won't have to shim

stroker2 · Mar 5, 2013

I had a lot of the same symptoms you do and it turned out to be the inner race of the front wheel bearing that supports the axle shaft. Pry on the axle shaft where it comes out of the tube and into the back of the hub. A little play is normal but a lot is not. Also turn your hubs to LOCK. if the vibration stops then this verifys the inner race being bad. Here is my thread when i went through this

http://powerstrokearmy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22776

bud0994 · Mar 5, 2013

ok ill check that out tomorrow. how hard was that to change?

stroker2 · Mar 5, 2013

piece of cake. Wheel off, caliper and rotor removal, pull hub apart (either c-clip or a few bolts), take washers out, loosen 4 nuts on the backside and an electrical plug and its done.

bud0994 · Mar 7, 2013

Well I locked the hubs in yesterday and drive around town and I didn't seem to get the vibration. I am going to do a fluid change in both axles and the bearings. Is that just the wheel bearing.

stroker2 · Mar 7, 2013

That should indicate the inner race on the wheel bearing unit which can be replaced seperately but i replaced the whole bearing because there were shavings throughout the unit bearing from that inner bearing race being eaten up. Also, if it has been vibrating for a while, your axle shaft may be worn down and need replacing. So change it asap. I would double check with the play AT the u-joint of the axle shaft just to make sure