Vibration between 50 & 70 mph

[Lo Pony]

Got my car back today after 44 days this time and finally an engineer worked on it. They used the hose clamps on the driveshaft to balance the drivetrain. It seem to be good right now. The bad news is that there is white overspray all over the car. Also the seat backs heat up when coolers are on. #myforddealersucks

They did it the right way (the balancing part, anyway). That sucks about the overspray on the car, though. Let us know if the vibration returns, because for some reason it's prone to do that, like there's some soft part wearing out or something is getting wrenched out of alignment over time.

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[Lo Pony]

Also, I contacted a private developer who has a vibration analyzer app for the iPhone, and the were able to incorporate a very useful modification - the ability to couple your iPhone and the app to a strobe light. Using a basic, 10 dollar external accelerometer, they were able to patch the strobe into the app so that it will flash at the same frequency as the max. vibration amplitude. Thus, you can view the reference marks on the DS and flange while it's spinning, similar to the EVA-2 vibration analyzer. The concept is exactly the same as the operation of a timing light, only the trigger is the accelerometer instead of the ignition spark.

Even though I requested the mod to his app, I do not have time to test the app myself right now. I will post directions and how to wire in the strobe. It's a little more involved than Plug & Play, but for someone who likes tinkering with mechanical/electronic stuff, it should be a snap (really). If someone wants to take up beta testing the app with field balancing their drivetrain, it would be a huge, huge service to this community! You'll obviously need access to a chassis lift.

I'll post a link to his app, videos and directions shortly.

 

[15gt]

I bought my premium used also. There is a federal lemon law that covers used cars. Just letting people know who are having issues with lemon law.

 

[Lo Pony]

I brought my 16' GT Auto home three weeks ago. Definitely noticed a driveline vibration starting around 50 mph. The car has 1200 miles and I'm hoping but not expecting an easy fix after reading a bunch of the posts here.
The car is going to the dealer on Monday.

Yes, it has been tried and it's a crapshoot. See lumencordis posts on here, we have been in personal contact.

I know the thread is long but there is some excellent tech info here, just search for it. It's buried, but here.

 

[Lo Pony]

Curt I think you are correct. For me a driveshaft replacement helped, but that may not always be the case. If I had to bet, I think properly balanced driveshafts would help most though.

Only if the runout in the pinion flange and elsewhere is negligible. Again, this is a measurement they have to perform. If runout is significant, a perfectly balanced shaft will make the viration worse. Look for my tech posts here, they explain why this is the case.

 

[Lo Pony]

Has anybody tried to record the driveshaft vibrate or lifted the car up and then running it to the speeds that the vibration is starting?
It may be possible to see the driveshaft moving up and down.

See posts above

 

[Trueblue15]

New differential has been installed and vibration is gone.

 

[speedfrk]

New differential has been installed and vibration is gone.

Did they try the usual other fixes first- DS, balancing, pinion flange, without success? Just wondering what their methodology was to try the diff.

 

[Richiet9]

Here's my laundry list.... My car's been in the dealer for about 8 weeks now. And here is the list of everything they've changed And get nowhere so far. 3 drive shafts....2 half shafts... two sets of wheels and tires. A shitload of trips to the rebalancing shop. 3 times on that stupid vibration analyzer. Three or four different engineers. And I am still waiting so that my car back last I heard they took the differential apart and are putting a new ring and pinion gear along with a new crush bearing to see what that does. This is really frustrating for a car that only has 1000 miles on it.

 

[GT Pony]

Here's my laundry list.... My car's been in the dealer for about 8 weeks now. And here is the list of everything they've changed And get nowhere so far. 3 drive shafts....2 half shafts... two sets of wheels and tires. A shitload of trips to the rebalancing shop. 3 times on that stupid vibration analyzer. Three or four different engineers. And I am still waiting so that my car back last I heard they took the differential apart and are putting a new ring and pinion gear along with a new crush bearing to see what that does. This is really frustrating for a car that only has 1000 miles on it.

The rebuilt differential many cure it, as there have been many here who have said replacing the differential has worked. Let us know!

 

[MikeD1]

Here's my laundry list.... My car's been in the dealer for about 8 weeks now. And here is the list of everything they've changed And get nowhere so far. 3 drive shafts....2 half shafts... two sets of wheels and tires. A shitload of trips to the rebalancing shop. 3 times on that stupid vibration analyzer. Three or four different engineers. And I am still waiting so that my car back last I heard they took the differential apart and are putting a new ring and pinion gear along with a new crush bearing to see what that does. This is really frustrating for a car that only has 1000 miles on it.

I'm going thru the same thing right now (6 weeks in) except they aren't trying anything, just sitting around with their collective thumbs up their butts saying they don't know what to do next (dealer techs + FSE's).

I filed for a total buyback under FL Lemon Law last week - I'm done with this car & the crap from Ford ....................

 

[Blanton]

Update on my car. Took the car in today to get the seat Tsb done and also get the white paint removed that showed up on the car while at the dealer. I called them early and the service manager told me that the seat blower was working and that it doesn't cool, only blows air. They had the Tsb and told me this, bs. I call them after work to see if they had the paint off the car and they had not started yet. I told them that they were wrong about the seats and to give me the car back now and I'll never come back here again. Now I guess it's time to write some letters. I hate this car now.

 

[GT Pony]

Update on my car. Took the car in today to get the seat Tsb done and also get the white paint removed that showed up on the car while at the dealer. I called them early and the service manager told me that the seat blower was working and that it doesn't cool, only blows air. They had the Tsb and told me this, bs. I call them after work to see if they had the paint off the car and they had not started yet. I told them that they were wrong about the seats and to give me the car back now and I'll never come back here again. Now I guess it's time to write some letters. I hate this car now.

That service manager should be fired. He has the TSB and still claims the seat backs only blow air :doh:. I'd talk to the owner of the dealership about it and tell him he needs more competent employees.

 

[shahram72]

Update on my car. Vibration work will have to wait... Got hit on the way to work in the back. It's all superficial. Got hit twice!

 

[Blanton]

That service manager should be fired. He has the TSB and still claims the seat backs only blow air :doh:. I'd talk to the owner of the dealership about it and tell him he needs more competent employees.

I did talk to one of the owners today and he is going to pay to have the car detailed. Told him everything that went wrong and only the facts. He was not pleased, and said that he is going to hear a lot of excuses today.
I feel bad for those that aren't car people and believe everything they are told.
Car will be taking a long trip next week so if the vibration returns, I will update. So far this has been the worst car I have ever owned. Tonight the gps had me about a quarter mile off of where I was at. :doh:

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