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Captainbobby's avatar
Captainbobby
Explorer
Aug 19, 2021

Ford 460 Engine vibration in overdrive

I have a 1998 Holiday Rambler with the F53 Chassis and 460 Ford Engine with 57k miles. For the past 2 years I have been trying to solve a vibration issue that shows up between 45 mph and 65 MPH when the transmission shifts to overdrive. You can take your foot off the gas and it quits when the torque converter disconnects and returns as soon as it locks back in. This is a typical torque converter shutter symptom but I have changed both the transmission and torque converter and it made no difference. I have also had the drive shaft balanced and all U joints replaced with no better results. The engine has been tuned with new plugs, heat resistant wires and is serviced every 5k miles with Mobil 1 synthetic. If you have enough road to get to 68 or 70 mph it goes away. Anybody out there had a similar problem? I bought the coach new in 1998 and my first trip was to Daytona Speedway when Earnhardt won the 500. It has been a great coach but this vibration issue has me very frustrated and I cannot find anyone willing to take the time to solve this issue.
Class A
  • RLS7201's avatar
    RLS7201
    Explorer II
    Aug 20, 2021
    I had the same vibration in my 95 F53. Some of the ring gear bearing shims had fell out and the ring gear and carrier assemble was moving around, causing a vibration. Luckily I found it before the ring and pinion gears failed. I'm still scratching my head as to why the vibration only occurred when the torque converter clutch locked up. Go figure?

    Richard
  • Gjac's avatar
    Gjac
    Explorer III
    Aug 19, 2021
    Where do you feel the vibration in the steering wheel or in the seats?
  • rgatijnet1's avatar
    rgatijnet1
    Explorer III
    Aug 19, 2021
    Bent wheel on one of the corners or the need for a 4 wheel alignment so that the rear end is pointed in the same way as the front end. Not too many places can do a thrust angle alignment but that may be your issue.
  • Chrisatthebeach's avatar
    Chrisatthebeach
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2021
    Captainbobby wrote:
    I still think it is related to the torque converter. It's like whatever is supposed to tell the torque converter to lock up is not sending a constant signal making it shutter. The new torque converter is doing the exact same thing that the old one did. I guess it could be a sensor. The entire drive shaft was balanced and all joints replaced. The pinion angle was checked at re-installation.


    I had a similar issue with a 1984 S10 Blazer, we unplugged the converter lock and the problem went away. Back then there was only 12 month, 12000 miles of warranty and GM would not make it good. We drove it like that for about a year and traded it in on a new car, this was the first year of the S10 Blazer, it appeared to be built well with good fit and finish, but between the vibration issue and the multitude of rattles around the tailgate and rear window that also could not be corrected we elected to get rid of it.

    I would try to disconnect the lock circuit for the converter and see if that is the issue.
  • 2_many_2's avatar
    2_many_2
    Explorer III
    Aug 19, 2021
    Very frustrating!

    Cheap experiment to try for fine tuning the driveshaft balance. Place a couple hose clamps on the drive shaft next to the weights for balancing.
    Placing the screw clamp on the same side of the weights will slightly increase the balance weight. Placing the screw clamp on the opposite side of the weights will slightly decrease the weight.

    Good luck.
  • Captainbobby's avatar
    Captainbobby
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2021
    I still think it is related to the torque converter. It's like whatever is supposed to tell the torque converter to lock up is not sending a constant signal making it shutter. The new torque converter is doing the exact same thing that the old one did. I guess it could be a sensor. The entire drive shaft was balanced and all joints replaced. The pinion angle was checked at re-installation.
  • MountainAir05's avatar
    MountainAir05
    Explorer II
    Aug 19, 2021
    If your drive shaft has a slip joint, check that also. If too full of grease it cause issue like you are having. release the pressure on the grease zerk till no grease comes out. Slip joints do wear out. Did you do the u-joints or have them done. Have you check to ensure they are not binding. I know you stated you had new ones installed.

    Also as Lou state the pinion angle. A off angle will kill u-joints.
  • sailor_lou's avatar
    sailor_lou
    Explorer
    Aug 19, 2021
    Have you checked the pinion angle? It's a relatively easy thing to check and doesn't require expensive equipment.

    Lou
    05 Travel Supreme Envoy
  • IB853347201's avatar
    IB853347201
    Nomad
    Aug 19, 2021
    Check engine light on? Fuel milage down? Could be a bad map or O2 sensor or ?

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