[BrianK*1954]

You guys raise a valid point - noticing any driveshaft-induced noise could easily be due to trim and finish. In so many words, I suspect it's going to be more apparent in a Wagon given that lesser and higher-frequency noises are suppressed by insulation and panels. I would hazard you have it, it just gets lost in the overall noise and, like has been said, is written off as a fact of life with a big, empty tin box.

I'll go back through the notes here and in the other thread and add this point to the data.

So help me out here: the noise(s) I've experienced from both 2017 Ford Transit's could be related to oscillations from the trim/finish on the van? Here are some pictures of the interior of the van; tell me how the trim/finish could possibly cause these sounds.

 

[BrianK*1954]

Good stuff! Keep it coming.

I don't want to pollute the data gathering by revealing the apparent consistencies just yet, but it quickly became apparent in the original thread that giubo or universal makes no difference.

The damper/resonator is going to be too difficult to enter into the analysis since we're aware of at least two types that are difficult to distinguish, aside from the presence/absence of one. Besides, given the ice and super-cold here I'm in no mood to crawl under the thing, anyway, and wouldn't blame anybody else for not wanting to check, either!

Scotty, your situation has got to be something different. If it were FWD I'd be looking at CV joints. [shoulder-shrug]

Brian, your 2017s likely have universal joints and not the giubos involved in the class action. It was an in-production change once the giubos were ID'ed as a problem.

Have any of you guys had your local Ford dealership perform a NVH test on your vehicle? San Tan Ford Fleet Services performed 2 NVH tests on my original new 2017 Ford Transit (click on the link below):

http://www.globalspec.com/learnmore...ectrical_electronic_test_equipment/noise_vibration_harshness_nvh_test_equipment

After analyzing the data, they concluded the noise was emanating from the drive shaft, however, after they installed the new driveshaft, the noise did not dissipate.

So here's the $64,000 question: if the NVH data pointed to the driveshaft, and we now know the new driveshaft did not fix the noise issue, where should Ford be looking next?

 

[MikeQBF]

No, what I'm saying is the Wagon trim, insulation, and seats will suppress many if not most of "the usual" van noises of a big empty box on wheels, especially at higher frequencies, making the low-frequency sounds possibly associated with the driveshaft resonance more apparent.

 

[MikeQBF]

... the new driveshaft did not fix the noise issue, where should Ford be looking next?

Installing another driveshaft, or driveshaft dynamic balancing, or another (or different) resonance damper at one or both ends of the shaft. Simply installing a new part to replace a suspect component does not necessarily mean the replacement doesn't have the same problem, especially when there are indications the problem stems not from component failure or improper manufacturing, but from design issues.

 

[Eiko]

Simply installing a new part to replace a suspect component does not necessarily mean the replacement doesn't have the same problem, especially when there are indications the problem stems not from component failure or improper manufacturing, but from design issues.

This.

 

[BrianK*1954]

Good stuff! Keep it coming.

I don't want to pollute the data gathering by revealing the apparent consistencies just yet, but it quickly became apparent in the original thread that giubo or universal makes no difference.

The damper/resonator is going to be too difficult to enter into the analysis since we're aware of at least two types that are difficult to distinguish, aside from the presence/absence of one. Besides, given the ice and super-cold here I'm in no mood to crawl under the thing, anyway, and wouldn't blame anybody else for not wanting to check, either!

Scotty, your situation has got to be something different. If it were FWD I'd be looking at CV joints. [shoulder-shrug]

Brian, your 2017s likely have universal joints and not the giubos involved in the class action. It was an in-production change once the giubos were ID'ed as a problem.

Installing another driveshaft, or driveshaft dynamic balancing, or another (or different) resonance damper at one or both ends of the shaft. Simply installing a new part to replace a suspect component does not necessarily mean the replacement doesn't have the same problem, especially when there are indications the problem stems not from component failure or improper manufacturing, but from design issues.

So if it's a design issue, and from what I've been able to gather from this Forum, it appears to be indeed a design/engineering flaw, how should I approach this with Ford? I am the lessee of the vehicle, but the true owners of the vehicle is Valley Metro of Arizona.

I have copied my 3 contacts with Enterprise Holdings Inc., over the past few days regarding the driveshaft replacement of the original new 2017 Transit as well as the subsequent replacement Transit, which also has the same droning/humming noise issue. So, they are all aware that this newest Transit has the same noise issue as the previous one.

I was able to obtain the name of the owner of San Tan Ford in Gilbert, AZ, and I will probably have my friend "soften the beachhead" by reaching out to the owner on my behalf, and then I will have a personal conversation with him as to what Ford will be doing to correct this problem.

 

[MikeQBF]

A soft (in tone) contact like this will help. But also refer them to the forum and the discussion of the issue. I've mentioned it previously here, so apologies to those who have heard it, but I had a previous and very productive interface with Ford on a similar engineering issue, initiated through this same process.

We, where "we" was a Ford Escape forum, had identified a mutual problem "somewhere in the drivetrain." It manifested itself as a perceptible momentary rumble in steady driving between 35 and 40 mph. Several of us were put in contact with the Ford engineer responsible for driveline issues, in fact, she momentarily joined the forum discussion. The mutual information gathering narrowed the problem down to what is known as "hysteresis" in torque converter bypass clutch engagement. This was eventually traced to premature aging of the transmission fluid. Part of the community input assisting the diagnosis was a couple of us who replaced the original transmission fluid with a synthetic, which exacerbated the issue.

We arrived at a quick fix - to adopt a more aggressive fluid change schedule, and then ONLY using the recommended non-synthetic. The transmission internal clutch material did not tolerate much deviation from fluid design specs, and old fluid or the synthetic changed critical parameters enough to cause the problem. I don't know if there was a longer-term factory solution, we sold the Escape not too soon after figuring it out and I withdrew from the forum.

This lengthy explanation is to say at least in my experience, Ford listens to owner communities and is interested in resolving mutually-observed engineering issues.

 

[BrianK*1954]

A soft (in tone) contact like this will help. But also refer them to the forum and the discussion of the issue. I've mentioned it previously here, so apologies to those who have heard it, but I had a previous and very productive interface with Ford on a similar engineering issue, initiated through this same process.

We, where "we" was a Ford Escape forum, had identified a mutual problem "somewhere in the drivetrain." It manifested itself as a perceptible momentary rumble in steady driving between 35 and 40 mph. Several of us were put in contact with the Ford engineer responsible for driveline issues, in fact, she momentarily joined the forum discussion. The mutual information gathering narrowed the problem down to what is known as "hysteresis" in torque converter bypass clutch engagement. This was eventually traced to premature aging of the transmission fluid. Part of the community input assisting the diagnosis was a couple of us who replaced the original transmission fluid with a synthetic, which exacerbated the issue.

We arrived at a quick fix - to adopt a more aggressive fluid change schedule, and then ONLY using the recommended non-synthetic. The transmission internal clutch material did not tolerate much deviation from fluid design specs, and old fluid or the synthetic changed critical parameters enough to cause the problem. I don't know if there was a longer-term factory solution, we sold the Escape not too soon after figuring it out and I withdrew from the forum.

This lengthy explanation is to say at least in my experience, Ford listens to owner communities and is interested in resolving mutually-observed engineering issues.

Thanks, MikeQBF! I'm sure with enough perseverance I will, along with Ford, determine exactly where this defect lies and a mutually agreeable repair will be performed.

 

[Firefightergmo]

I have a 2016 T350 MR 148 3.5EB with 3.31(non limited slip)(oops) with vibration drone sound at 40-50mph prior to a full driveshaft replacement from Ford.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[MikeQBF]

I have a 2016 T350 MR 148 3.5EB with 3.31(non limited slip)(oops) with vibration drone sound at 40-50mph prior to a full driveshaft replacement from Ford.

Are you saying that the drone was fixed with a driveshaft replacement?

 

[Firefightergmo]

Are you saying that the drone was fixed with a driveshaft replacement?

I’m not feeling the vibration and or hearing the noise AS MUCH as I did before. I would say it went away 90%.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Firefightergmo]

I’m not feeling the vibration and or hearing the noise AS MUCH as I did before. I would say it went away 90%.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I want to say YES it did fix my drone noise but I recently put on 200 miles on Friday and I felt a minor vibration, almost like a tire out of balance by a .25 ounce, but i know all of my tires are dead on perfect. If I didn’t know of the driveshaft vibration and humming sounds that existed before, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be complaining. But the fact that I do know of the issue makes me aware of every little thing.

Speaking of issues, do you guys hear the air leaking by the “A” pillar and drivers door seal while going down the highway?


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[lolwisper4321]

Mine is positively car like. Must be the solid ABS bulkhead. Or my congenital deafness. Nobody who's ridden in it has complained though. People always wanted earplugs in my Sprinter.

None of my passengers have made a comment about a drone noise but they do not drive my van 20,000 miles a year like I do.


BTW:
I have a metal safety partition and full metal cabinets added in the cargo area and none of these additions changed the drone noise level
from the empty cargo area as I started with.

This drone noise in my case happens at 49 and 69 MPH in sixth gear. 3-5th gears at those speeds DO NOT produce the drone noise.

 

[MikeQBF]

... This drone noise my case happens at 49 and 69 MPH in sixth gear. 3-5th gears at those speeds DO NOT produce the drone noise.

Noted. Thank you.

 

[transit831]

I'm new to owning a transit and new to this forum - but I drove my van on its first long trip this weekend. I heard a load drone noise come in at around 70-75 mph on my 2017 HR T250 148 3.5 3.31LS. I have never driven an empty cargo van at that speed, but the sound I heard did not seem normal. I will be updating this thread once I get more time in the van.

 

[BrianK*1954]

I'm new to owning a transit and new to this forum - but I drove my van on its first long trip this weekend. I heard a load drone noise come in at around 70-75 mph on my 2017 HR T250 148 3.5 3.31LS. I have never driven an empty cargo van at that speed, but the sound I heard did not seem normal. I will be updating this thread once I get more time in the van.

As Axle Rose sang many years ago, "Welcome to The Jungle"!!:blush:

I just sent a lengthy e-mail to the owner of San Tan Ford in Gilbert, AZ, about this issue and included several screenshots of posts on this Forum.

I will let this community know what this gentleman has to say about this problem.

 

[Alison]

Mine is 2015 148WB, 3.7L, 3.73 Limited slip. I've had had the guido replaced.

Took it in at the end of November for the drumming noise - after 2 weeks of them pulling it apart for the 'cost analysis' they determined it's due to the torque converter. Apparently there's an issue going on with the torque converters, as there were none available and I was told it would be after the New Year. Still haven't heard anything back. I used to only hear it in 6th gear in the 50+mph range... now I'm starting to hear it in lower gears too, but at a much lower volume. Or I'm driving myself crazy and hearing things :s

 

[MikeQBF]

Good info and differing point of view on origin. As I know firsthand, torque converter problems are a recurring issue for Ford.

 

[Sprinter_Owner]

What drone and noise?

 

[BrianK*1954]

I'm new to owning a transit and new to this forum - but I drove my van on its first long trip this weekend. I heard a load drone noise come in at around 70-75 mph on my 2017 HR T250 148 3.5 3.31LS. I have never driven an empty cargo van at that speed, but the sound I heard did not seem normal. I will be updating this thread once I get more time in the van.

Mine is 2015 148WB, 3.7L, 3.73 Limited slip. I've had had the guido replaced.

Took it in at the end of November for the drumming noise - after 2 weeks of them pulling it apart for the 'cost analysis' they determined it's due to the torque converter. Apparently there's an issue going on with the torque converters, as there were none available and I was told it would be after the New Year. Still haven't heard anything back. I used to only hear it in 6th gear in the 50+mph range... now I'm starting to hear it in lower gears too, but at a much lower volume. Or I'm driving myself crazy and hearing things :s

You are NOT crazy, Alison. The noise is real. And I was validated when I signed up on this Ford Transit Forum last Friday. Many owners of this vehicle have been reporting this issue for almost 2 years.