2014 F350 Vibration

Well maybe Dana just makes junk then, my truck had it also towing our 9800# TT and the CB and u-joints were junk at 48K and again at 92K. Called several drive train experts and was told it is the nature of split drive shafts.

So how many miles were towing, as the issue does not show up until the drive shaft angle changes. How it was explained to me is under heavy load or hard acceleration the drive shift will twist out of center line causing the shudder. Once it hits a high enough RPM it will snap back in line. However the vibration will (their words) weaken the CB causing it to start splitting. The square style bearings are the ones that suffer the most. They now have (don't know when they first came out) round carrier bearings that resist splitting. The u-joints are effected by the same off center line rotation.

I was told you can lesson the effects by adding shim to the C/B or changing the pinon angle. This will change the D/S angle to prevent vibrations and premature bearing and U-Joint wear.

But hell maybe they were just trying to sell me something!

Don

Under load while excelerating that would be a drive line issue...with only 1000 miles on the vehicle I wouldn't be concerned.

on a lighter note-take a shot of "blue koolaid" and keep on trucking!-whsk

Well I'm not a "Dodgeboy" and I don't drink blue Kool-Aid, I do know from experience that this phenomenon does not "take out u-joints and carrier bearings in short order". My 2006 F350 ran at well over 400 rwhp for most of the 88,000 miles (35% towing heavy loads) that I owned it, had this shutter the entire time and never experienced any of these failures. The same truck made probably 30 or 40 full boosted launches in 4wd on the street and at the track and still didn't experience these failures.

Yes it is annoying, but no the sky isn't falling. What you are experiencing is very minor and of little consequence other than it just feels weird. If it was as much of an issue as some would have you believe, people would be lined up at parts stores buying carrier bearings and U-joints. I managed a small fleet of Superduty trucks (F-250 through F-550) and don't recall replacing u-joints or carrier bearings even on trucks with over 150,000 hard miles on them.

I worry about this issue even less than I worry about having a "Ford shameful event" with my HPFP. What ever happened to that guy? People quit listening, Ford maintained top market share and you just don't hear that drum being beat anymore!

Perrysburg Dodgeboy wrote:

Has I said earlier, launch shutter will take out your u-joints and carrier bearing and do it in very short order. So you will need to make a decision on what you are going to do to address this or look forward to drive train repairs to the tone of $500+.

The more you tow with it the sooner you will be repairing the truck.
Don

I question this Don because as many have said, most newer trucks have this issue to some degree (the shudder) when heavy pin weights and towing hard from a standstill.
However almost nobody reports it becoming a problem.
I had the shudder on my gas V10, over 200,000K and original everything in drivetrain, not a single issue.
You know way more than me about trucks so I won't say your wrong, just that I question your statement.:W
Disclosure...I started working at the Ford garage in Oct 1967. :B

I agree that comparing it to an older model Chevy accomplishes nothing. You can go out and buy a new Chevy and have the same problem because they sit much higher than they used to! We just bought a pair of 2013 2500s at work and I couldn't believe how much higher they sit now. Our superintendents were glad to no longer be driving low riders on a construction site!

everybody wants a nice comfy ride unloaded and the only why to do that is to have a soft spring rate. That is why your truck drops 3", I bet this new Ford rides a lot better then the old Chevy did empty right? Can't have your cake and eat it to.

Has I said earlier, launch shutter will take out your u-joints and carrier bearing and do it in very short order. So you will need to make a decision on what you are going to do to address this or look forward to drive train repairs to the tone of $500+.

The more you tow with it the sooner you will be repairing the truck. What is the drive train coverage from Ford? 5yr/100K miles? If you plan on selling it before 100K Ford can replace the u-joints and carrier bearing under their warranty.

Don

Traveler II wrote:

Hannibal wrote:
I'm having a hard time accepting that a 3" squat and a mere 1" high on the trailer is a problem. If normal launch shudder startles you, ease into the throttle at launch and enjoy your trip!

You miss the point, first I didn't have this problem with the Chevy I traded in, second with a 3" squat my headlights will be hitting other drivers at night. If I put air bags on the trailer will be 4" high putting more weight on the rear axel. With the miles we drive each year that will be a problem. And last -- down the road what problems will this launch shudder cause to the truck?

traveler..
It seems clear that your Chevy must have been about 4 inches lower than your Ford and probably had less drop when hitched?
So lower the truck or raise the trailer would be the solution to the height issue.
I think you would be facing similar issues with any brand of the new trucks.
If you are OK with the level of the truck once hitched, as several have said, drive it and enjoy it.
If not, you must change something??
Comparing to your old truck wont resolve your issue.:h

Hannibal wrote:
I'm having a hard time accepting that a 3" squat and a mere 1" high on the trailer is a problem. If normal launch shudder startles you, ease into the throttle at launch and enjoy your trip!

You miss the point, first I didn't have this problem with the Chevy I traded in, second with a 3" squat my headlights will be hitting other drivers at night. If I put air bags on the trailer will be 4" high putting more weight on the rear axel. With the miles we drive each year that will be a problem. And last -- down the road what problems will this launch shudder cause to the truck?

I'm having a hard time accepting that a 3" squat and a mere 1" high on the trailer is a problem. If normal launch shudder startles you, ease into the throttle at launch and enjoy your trip!