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Vibration-Huming noise

221K views 381 replies 82 participants last post by  OLV1071571 
#1 ·
Hello all, I have a 3.5 EB, HR - my van has a vibration and humming noise that we can not seem to locate. The vibration seems constant and can be felt even at idle when in gear, the noise appears most evident at speeds of 65-95 km, and frequency changes with speed We have balanced tires, tried a new set of tires, nothing changed. I drove another Transit on dealers lot it actually did the same thing. Does anyone else have this issue? The noise is more annoying then the vibration it really sounds like a bad belt in tire but it is not as we tested for that. Any feedback would be appreciated.
 
#2 ·
I can relate. Back in 2005 I was given a loaner Sprinter with the factory, solid bare metal partition. The engine noise bouncing around in the cab was maddening. There are untold thousands of those rigs on the road and I've never seen a single complaint anywhere. Maybe it was just me.
 
#3 ·
Mine has similar characteristics. The vibration is felt in the steering wheel at 95-100 km.
The noise I would characterize as a "thrum". It reminds me of driving with a rear window open, only Milder.

I have had tires replaced and lots of front end work, but the vibration and veering left continued. My thread "new van didn't get far" refers.
 
#4 ·
Oh it is good to hear that some of you have the same problem. I really thought that I am the only person on this planet who has it. this awful noise is driving me nuts! It feels like there is a big subwoofer in the back which plays this super low frequency tone (about 10-20Hz). It definitely does not come from the tires. The tone starts exactly at 55km/h and ends approximately at 80km/h. The steering wheel is also vibrating noticeable up to 100km/h.

Ford is now trying to find out where this comes from. I think they ordered a new dual mass flywheel. I really hope that this is the solution..
 
#5 ·
Interesting, the sound is very annoying.

Would appreciate if you keep us posted on this, especially if the flywheel fix is successful.
 
#6 ·
use a gopro camera and move it around to different locations in the van-- to hear noise -
using a LAV mic plugged into cam will make things easier because its small
and easily place - use magnets - -clothes pins- tape-etc to hold mic in place-

wrap acoustic foam on mic to stop wind noise -or second best wrap mic with some tape -

there is a Tiny sony Lav mic sold on ebay for around $8 or so - its T shaped -
it will work OK for this- then plug it into 3.5mm cable and you could use ANY camera/ phone etc
 
#7 ·
Thank you all, will be interesting to see if flywheel fixes this, I would suspect if enough issues arise a service bulletin should be issued. My vibration appears to be present at all speeds, the noise is exactly like wind noise., jonsobi I have read your thread. I am thinking that issue could be an un- balance in driveshaft?
 
#11 ·
Thanks for the input. I'll bring it up with the dealer.
 
#8 · (Edited)
For a second there, I was going to suggest it's 3.5 EB specific, as my 3.2 doesn't vibrate, but then lotuseater chimed in. So there goes that theory.

Reminds me of the infamous Sprinter Rumble Strip Noise, or RSN, as it became known.

It occurs to me that it may be a harmonic vibration... My Sprinter had one at about 65-70 mph, combined with the RSN. Learned to simply ignore it. Then I put in a boomin' sound system and all kinds of noises got ignored.
 
#10 ·
Thank you for the video that is what I suspected unbalance in driveshaft area... Will go back to dealer, problem is they have little experience with Transit thus far
 
#14 ·
I got my van back from the dealer!

They told me that the vibrations and humming are gone. So I took the van and drove about 500m. After reaching 55km/h I recognized it was the same like before. Went back to my dealer and made another appointment for further investigations. They really don't have a clue where it comes from.. But I can tell you: It is not the flywheel!

If only I had bought the Mercedes Sprinter :-( I am sure this will take weeks to find out..
 
#15 ·
Glad its not the flywheel.
 
#16 ·
Yes glad it is not flywheel - my dealer will also take some time - especially since they only have one real FORD tech, and he happens to be any for a few weeks - go figure....frustrating to say the least
 
#17 ·
My Transit is doing the exact same thing. Its very obnoxious between 50 and 60 MPH. Took it to my dealer and they told me that its from the tires, they said that they checked the balance of all of the drivelines and that they are all well within spec. I wonder if the "Specs" are too wide, I had a Focus that they wouldn't align because it was within specs even though the tires were very visibly tilted and wore tires like crazy. So I took the Transit home and put the rear in the air and took the tires off the rear. I put it in gear and the same vibration occurred between 50 and 60 MPH. Now to convince Ford that its not tires, they said that they wouldn't do anything until I get new tires. Stall tactic I suppose, or just want me to buy some tires from them since he referred me to the Ford tire department. Let us know if they figure out what it is.
 
#18 ·
Not the tires for sure - I have put on two set of tires and road force balanced both sets - it did it with both sets - also the vibration is there are all times low or high speed - that would not be the case if tire related. I am waiting for our Ford Tech to get back (3 weeks from now) and then will go back to press this issue further - I just got back from a 500 KM trip and it certainly made the drive less enjoyable.
 
#20 ·
The vibration on mine is noticeable at a variety of speeds. The steering wheel tremor is visible.
 
#21 ·
Mine makes the same hum, it reminds me of my lifted truck with big knobby tires. So I automatically thought tires. To those with new replacments, are you still putting Hankook tires on. It could be the tread design. I was hoping once they get worn down a little the noise would go away.
 
#22 ·
Hello update on my Van and its vibration and humming noise - the Van has been to Ford 5 times and another mechanic shop 3 times in an effort of trying to find the vibration and humming noise. Costing a lot of time.

At Ford they have told me it is the tires - we replaced the tires, road forced balanced them all wth no results, then they said it is the power steering pump - they replaced the pump still no better, now they are saying it is due to my conversion and the roof rack and roof vent (a Ford roof rack) - I argue that most vans have roof racks and vents and they would have a lot of customers lined up if that was the issue, then they tried to tell me that this maybe a 'normal' condition for the van - again I use same argument - they would have a lot of customers in their shops if it is 'normal' to have a van with a vibration and humming noise, we would all be driving Sprinters.

At the other shop we have put the van on the hoist and driven it in the air - you can actually hear a loud noise at the end of the transmission where the driveshaft connects - and you can feel vibration in that area - I explained this to Ford - they state that this is normal for these vans. I am convinced that the issue is somehow drivetrain related - Ford does not think so.

So now we are waiting for a Ford Engineering Rep to come and look at this - tomorrow the van is going to Ford again to have a vibration tester installed (for the 3rd time). It really seems to be like we are getting nowhere, especially as Ford just follows their diagnosis protocol and the tech and shop probably can not bill Ford for diagnosis?.

To re-cap the problem(s) - there is a THUM,THUM,THUM or HUMMING noise (like driving on unbalanced tires) in the van that you can start to notice at a speed of about 30km (20 miles), it really becomes loud at a speed of about 80 km to 105 km (50 - 65 miles). It is most noticeable when van is under load, i.e accelerating or going up a hill, less noticeable coming down a hill, the noise also seems to reduce when in Neutral but does not go away.

The Vibration seems to start at speeds of about 30 km (20 Miles) to about 105 km (65 miles) - the sweet spot where it seems worse is at about 60Km or 40 miles, at this point you can see the steering wheel vibrate.

I hope that others that have this issue speak up and let us know what they have done so far and what their plan of action is - to me it is NOT normal to have a $55k Van have vibrations and humming noises. Ford needs to step up and get it fixed - does anyone know what the next step could be?
 
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#23 ·
I have had a roof rack make a loud hum in the past, but it's a very steady note and dependent on airspeed, not engine RPM. Had a big pipe rack on an F150 at one place I worked, they had one of the crossbars directly over the cab and anything over 55 MPH induced a mind-numbing drone inside the cab. I finally took that crossbar off and the noise was gone.

But, again, that sound wouldn't change depending on engine load.

I'm starting to wonder what good a warranty is, when all they seem to do is say "that's normal" for every problem they are confronted with... :/
 
#24 ·
The thrum noise in question has been one of many issues I have had to deal with on my 2016 Transit. The noise has been constant since new, and has changed little once my conversion was completed.

Having had a very bad experience watching a dealer flounder away at my many other problems, I would be reluctant to take my van in for this elusive problem. The Transit experience has been a big disappointment for me. I had no idea how difficult it could be to get competent service expertise.

Having been a Ford fan for years, its hard to own up to this.
 
#25 ·
I have already considered getting rid of the van and going to a Sprinter - BUT it would cost a fortune, the hit I would take on this van would just be too much, somehow the issue needs to get resolved.
 
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#26 ·
I find myself in a similar position, although I would not consider the Sprinter a better risk.

My issue is less with the Transit and more with Ford's disinterest in resolving long festering problems. They have made it abundantly clear that they simply do not care.
 
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#28 ·
Lemon Laws



The Ford CS rep for Arizona told me that my Transit problems did not qualify for action under State Lemon Laws. One of the criteria, IIRC, was loss of use for 30 consecutive days. That is a pretty high bar to reach.

I await my return to Canada to see what Ford.ca has to say. I am not confident of any positive outcome.
 
#29 ·
Well all of that is not sounding good. I just installed a rear sway bar, it adds two more points of contact to the frame. So I thought if the noise was coming from there it would be reduced after install but no luck. Still as present as ever. With that eliminated I am thinking it too is the transmission. What ever gear it runs in at that speed, 45 to 55mph.
 
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