[extraj]

Hi Folks,

I pored a bunch of the existing driveshaft threads and didn't see anything that seemed related...

I just had my van at the dealer to do the driveshaft recall. They installed a driveshaft with a u-joint and now we're getting a new vibration, most noticeable off-throttle and between 25-50MPH. It almost sounds like a helicopter is following.

Any ideas? My first thought is that maybe it's an imbalanced driveshaft, but that seems kinda improbable.

 

[ultane]

Welcome to the forum. Lots of smart folks here. I’m sure someone can help.

 

[[email protected]]

Take it back to the dealership and have them replace it with another U-Joint. If you keep driving it and it causes damage, you may lose use of your Transit while it gets more extensive repairs.

 

[Guri]

Hi @extraj , yes, I agree with @[email protected] .
The recall fix is supposed address some problem but not give you a collateral problem. Don't drive a lot because that vibration can cause further damage to transmission components.

Good luck and report what happens.

 

[OLV1071571]

Would like to know what they say if you can report back. I have similar issues and i got mine brand new from the factory via Matt Ford and its had the same issue since I drove it home. Many people complaining of similar vibrations etc. Some its the torque converter. Others say its the unibody. Still others its the tires or guibo. So please let us know the solution when you can.

 

[carringb]

“Helicopter” sound might be an out of phase U-joint. They drive lines are shipped as an assembly. Somebody may have taken it apart, either accidentally or intentionally. If you don’t mark it first, the chances are better then not that it gets put back together wrong.

 

[extraj]

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I'll report back. Taking it in this Friday.

For the purposes of diagnosis, I have the advantage of not changing anything other than replacing the guibo with a u-joint. Everything else is the same. So, hoping to get some insight. I did a little bit of driving yesterday and the vibrations are most noticable from 20-30mph. At higher speeds, the frequency is high enough that it's more of a hum/rumble. Below ~15mph, it's imperceptible.

“Helicopter” sound might be an out of phase U-joint. They drive lines are shipped as an assembly. Somebody may have taken it apart, either accidentally or intentionally. If you don’t mark it first, the chances are better then not that it gets put back together wrong.

Thanks! Maybe I'll mention this as something to look into. Anything else you think I should tell them or ask about?

 

[surly Bill]

The vibration was probably always there, and the guibo took care of it. That's what they're for.

 

[Tcaschy021]

I have this same helicopter noise but at 45MPH. Doesnt matter if I'm coasting or on the gas. Its the same noise if you only have your rear windows down on a passenger car....like a noise buffering. 350 HD (dually) here.

Please report back after you bring it in.

 

[extraj]

Took it back to the dealer. The mechanic came for a drive with me, confirmed it. He put it up on the lift and said that he couldn't identify any issues so he's going to order a new driveshaft. I'm hoping that that fixes it -- if not I imagine I'm gonna be up a creek. Pleased with the dealer being willing to do this, though.

 

[Tcaschy021]

Took it back to the dealer. The mechanic came for a drive with me, confirmed it. He put it up on the lift and said that he couldn't identify any issues so he's going to order a new driveshaft. I'm hoping that that fixes it -- if not I imagine I'm gonna be up a creek. Pleased with the dealer being willing to do this, though.

Thanks! Please continue to update this thread on your findings.

 

[TheGripVan]

I'm curious as well, apparently the Transit I just purchased has had the new U joint installed but is having issues with vibrations. Keep us posted!

 

[ranxerox]

They are putting something new on the 2020s for Differential noise and possibly Driveshaft noise.

 

[ranxerox]

The comment that came with these photo's from another Transit forum.

Just wanted to share an issue I had with my 2020 T350 2wd 148 passenger van. Since the day I drove it off the lot, when I would get to 73-80 mph I would hear deep drone noise coming for rear of van, when I let off gas it would stop and if I hammered the gas at 73-80 mph it would get louder, so after few visits to the dealer and they put some chassis ears on it they said it was coming from rear differential and thought it was a bearing in differential, when I took it in today they told me that Ford Corp. had this issue with many other van and it was actually the part of the drive shaft that connect to u joint to differential said it was the angle of part they replaced that was causing vibration and the noise. My van does have the 2 1/2 inch Van Compass lift with 265-75-16, dealer just asked if I had the issue before lift and I did so they fixed it, Southbay Ford Commercial in Hawthorne , Ca they were great to work with in this, see pic of new part that was added, no more noise with new dampener.

 

[extraj]

The comment that came with these photo's from another Transit forum.

Just wanted to share an issue I had with my 2020 T350 2wd 148 passenger van. Since the day I drove it off the lot, when I would get to 73-80 mph I would hear deep drone noise coming for rear of van, when I let off gas it would stop and if I hammered the gas at 73-80 mph it would get louder, so after few visits to the dealer and they put some chassis ears on it they said it was coming from rear differential and thought it was a bearing in differential, when I took it in today they told me that Ford Corp. had this issue with many other van and it was actually the part of the drive shaft that connect to u joint to differential said it was the angle of part they replaced that was causing vibration and the noise. My van does have the 2 1/2 inch Van Compass lift with 265-75-16, dealer just asked if I had the issue before lift and I did so they fixed it, Southbay Ford Commercial in Hawthorne , Ca they were great to work with in this, see pic of new part that was added, no more noise with new dampener.

Hmmm. I'm glad to hear that you got it resolved!

Just to be clear for anyone who's reading this thread a year from now trying to figure out what to do: that's different than the issue that I'm having. My vibration is only related to road speed and not to load -- it doesn't matter whether you're on or off throttle.

 

[Tcaschy021]

Hmmm. I'm glad to hear that you got it resolved!

Just to be clear for anyone who's reading this thread a year from now trying to figure out what to do: that's different than the issue that I'm having. My vibration is only related to road speed and not to load -- it doesn't matter whether you're on or off throttle.

This is what I have...road speed NOT load

 

[ranxerox]

You are not the first. The giubo was chosen to put an end to this noise, Adding a U-joint amplifies it.
You are also not the first to complain of this noise after the Giubo was replaced with a U-joint.

Vibration-Huming noise

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...

www.fordtransitusaforum.com

 

[extraj]

So, the dealer finally got the new driveshaft in and replaced it, and IT FIXED THE VIBRATION!

All is well. It was, as suspected, an issue with the driveshaft that caused it to be out of balance.

 

[dano]

So, the dealer finally got the new driveshaft in and replaced it, and IT FIXED THE VIBRATION!

All is well. It was, as suspected, an issue with the driveshaft that caused it to be out of balance.

Extraj, Could you do me a big favor and take some photos of your new driveshaft U-Joint phasing...

I suspect my dealer may have installed my permanent-fix-recall driveshaft with improper U-joint phasing, and I would like to compare a known-good configuration with mine.

The reason I suspect this might be the cause of my vibration problem, is that from looking at the geometry of the 3-piece drive train angles, I think the U-Joint phasing might be somewhat counter-intuitive, leading to installation mistakes. Perhaps such a mistake was actually the cause of your vibration as well, and replacing it fixed it inadvertantly.

It would be much appreciated. One photo for each U-Joint. I believe there are a total of 4 of them.

 

[dano]

Extraj, Could you do me a big favor and take some photos of your new driveshaft U-Joint phasing...

I suspect my dealer may have installed my permanent-fix-recall driveshaft with improper U-joint phasing, and I would like to compare a known-good configuration with mine.

The reason I suspect this might be the cause of my vibration problem, is that from looking at the geometry of the 3-piece drive train angles, I think the U-Joint phasing might be somewhat counter-intuitive, leading to installation mistakes. Perhaps such a mistake was actually the cause of your vibration as well, and replacing it fixed it inadvertantly.

It would be much appreciated. One photo for each U-Joint. I believe there are a total of 4 of them.

Nevermind, After looking at the service manuals, I no longer believe my vehicle's problem is with U-Joint phasing.