[Calaverasgrande]

It is my first Transit, but hardly my first cargo van.
It is certainly some kind of sympathetic resonance mode. Possibly when rotation from driveshaft, camshaft and torque converter are at harmonic multiples?
It does 'beat' somewhat similar to tuning a guitar string.

The throbbing worries me because while it is speed dependent like a sympathetic vibration, it doesn't kick in until after I've been going for at least 20 minutes or so.
It also really affect my endurance. I just can't do more than 4 hours a day of steady freeway like this.
Maybe if I got the steering bushings and such rebuilt so that it was tighter, I could steer with a lighter touch and the throbbing wouldn't matter. But it's pretty intrusive as things are.
But I also want to get the shocks addressed as well. Especially in the front they feel kind of shot.

 

[surly Bill]

I wonder a bout a loose or bent heat shield? the warming up could make it more flexible.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

A bit of searching has turned up a number of other folks experiencing similar.
Some liken it to a rumble strip sound. Similar to those corrugated edges on some roads so you know you are hitting shoulder.
Mine does sound similar to that.
One suggestion some have made is that it is ameliorated by a transmission fluid replacement.
Going to call the dealership here in Long Island tomorrow to see how much that costs.

 

[surly Bill]

RSN (rumble strip noise) was a common thing in old Sprinters. I think Dr A (Andy Bittenbinder; German vehicle expert) came up with a solution concerning transmission fluid flow (expanded one port by a few tenths of a mm).
Using that as a reference, then having tranny fluid replacement and set to correct levels may indeed solve some problems.

 

[Fancyvanman]

There is a lengthy thread on this Forum (16 pages) that discusses what sounds very much like your problem. It generally revolves around drive shaft harmonics and was successfully dealt with by shaft balancing and/or installation of a torsional dampener under a Ford TSB. I suggest you check it out: Driveshaft Drone Noise Survey

 

[Calaverasgrande]

Thanks, yeah I've been working my way through that thread.
Seems interesting that people are reporting torsional dampener, torque converter service, and trans fluid service all as 'fixing the problem'.
It's certainly driveline related. But it would be great to narrow it down more without throwing more money than needed at it.
Even read in a few places of attaching a pipe clamp to the drive shaft or enlarging certain holes in the torque converter or transmission?

 

[Michael Ophus]

That is not the first long forum thread about this noise, There are two more just like it.

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

 

[Calaverasgrande]

Read a bunch of other threads about noises and vibrations.
In a few they were mentioning a pinion nose dampener and a driveshaft dampener.
Went and peeked up under the van and it looks like I already got the pinion nose dampener.
Looks like it must have been added when they did the Guibo recall service?
That may explain why the vibration is still there but different.

Went to a transmission shop yesterday to get the tranny fluid done, since no Ford service centers in Long Island have the time of day for me until January.
Unfortunately once I got there he said that my van (med roof) wouldn't fit on the available lift because it's too tall. So no fluid exchange.
He did mention that he's heard of the problem before. And if it's the torque converter degrading then it will mean a trans rebuild in addition to a new torque converter.
Though you would think if the torque converter was failing I'd get check engine light no?

He also mentioned something interesting which maybe bears repeating.
Said he has a 2017 Transit on his back lot waiting for a speed sensor. When this sensor fails or gets intermittent the computer which controls the tranny gets confused about when to shift. Food for thought.

Going to try and limp back to NC and get it done outside of NY and it's overpriced everything.
It doesn't kick in until 60mph or so.
I'll just be that annoying guy going 55mph getting excellent gas mileage.
I got 20MPG on my trip from NC to LI, maybe I can beat that?

 

[Calaverasgrande]

Strangely I had zero throbbing or droning yesterday?
I tried to stay around 55mph but a few times I crept up to 60-70 range by accident and I think maybe there was one tiny shudder.
But that could have been the freeway.
Still gonna get the thing looked at.
Got a lot of driving ahead of me the next few months. Need this resolved.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

Had the transmission fluid done at a dealership in Durham last week. The throbbing/rumble strip noise is gone. Seems pretty solid.
However now I notice I am getting a lower pitched rumble from the driveline. Either the driveshaft or differential.
Perhaps it's the unbalanced driveshaft thing some have talked about. Perhaps my differential needs service?
Did a 'premium' oil change at the dealer in November and they supposedly took a look at that and pronounced it good.
Also assume that it would have been given a once over when they did the Guibo to U joint recall service, since thats when the little nose dampener showed up on the diff.
Still need to get the shocks done. It's murder driving on degraded roads with degraded shocks.

 

[Dman]

I’ve had weird noises/vibrations tied to road speed, that have been due to bad or unevenly worn tires. Even though there wasn’t visibly uneven or excessive wear, rotation or replacement made the problem go away.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

Funny you should mention that. The tires are new when I bought the van in August.
I'd complained about the poor state of the tires when I looked at the van the first time, so the dealer promised a new set.
Also they were rotated when I got the extra fancy deluxe oil change at the dealer.
They look fine, but I am starting to wonder about inflation. Last time I checked they were 50/70 same as Ford specs. But it's gotten a lot colder so I am gonna revisit that at the next gas station I stop at that has a functioning air service.

I'm also curious about the pipe clamp method of driveshaft balancing that is mentioned in a few of the other threads about driveline noise.
Going to need to buy jack stands or park on top of a curb though. My 150 with regular sized tires doesn't have much more clearance underneath than a passenger car.

 

[Joe C]

Funny you should mention that. The tires are new when I bought the van in August.
I'd complained about the poor state of the tires when I looked at the van the first time, so the dealer promised a new set.
Also they were rotated when I got the extra fancy deluxe oil change at the dealer.
They look fine, but I am starting to wonder about inflation. Last time I checked they were 50/70 same as Ford specs. But it's gotten a lot colder so I am gonna revisit that at the next gas station I stop at that has a functioning air service.

I'm also curious about the pipe clamp method of driveshaft balancing that is mentioned in a few of the other threads about driveline noise.
Going to need to buy jack stands or park on top of a curb though. My 150 with regular sized tires doesn't have much more clearance underneath than a passenger car.

I had vibration in rear between 25 and 35 after all driveshaft recalls performed. I had driveshop balanced by shop here on LI and all vibration gone. East Coast Driveshaft in Islandia.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

I had vibration in rear between 25 and 35 after all driveshaft recalls performed. I had driveshop balanced by shop here on LI and all vibration gone. East Coast Driveshaft in Islandia.

I'm in NC now, but I'll be visiting my relatives in LI again soon. About how much did it cost for the driveshaft balancing if you don't mind me asking?

By the way, I've driven all over the southeast and back since the transmission flush.
Not only has the transmission been more solid and smooth. I'm noticing a lot less heat coming from the dog house area. Which worries me due to the difference!
I swear I'm getting better mileage now when I can manage to keep it under 65. But then I have a habit of creeping up in speed if there is nobody in front of me. Really people who complain about the V6 being underpowered are crazy.

 

[Joe C]

I'm in NC now, but I'll be visiting my relatives in LI again soon. About how much did it cost for the driveshaft balancing if you don't mind me asking?

By the way, I've driven all over the southeast and back since the transmission flush.
Not only has the transmission been more solid and smooth. I'm noticing a lot less heat coming from the dog house area. Which worries me due to the difference!
I swear I'm getting better mileage now when I can manage to keep it under 65. But then I have a habit of creeping up in speed if there is nobody in front of me. Really people who complain about the V6 being underpowered are crazy.

$350 for balancing. Manager said they’ve done about 50 transit drive shaft repairs. My vibration was very noticeable to me - could feel it in my lower back and hear rattling behind me. Like yours, I’ve fully sound proofed the van with kilmat and added rockwool insulation to all deep body cavities. I’m not a camper, but use this to travel to see family in VA. I hate excessive noise while doing long drives.

I have a 2017 passenger wagon that was 10 seat and is now 6, as i added an East-west bed platform and a porta-potti.

I would like to have transmission fluid replaced but it’s expensive here (~$400). What did you pay in NC?

I agree about speed range. I find this van seems to handle best and get best mpg at 62-65 mph.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

$350 for balancing. Manager said they’ve done about 50 transit drive shaft repairs. My vibration was very noticeable to me - could feel it in my lower back and hear rattling behind me. Like yours, I’ve fully sound proofed the van with kilmat and added rockwool insulation to all deep body cavities. I’m not a camper, but use this to travel to see family in VA. I hate excessive noise while doing long drives.

I have a 2017 passenger wagon that was 10 seat and is now 6, as i added an East-west bed platform and a porta-potti.

I would like to have transmission fluid replaced but it’s expensive here (~$400). What did you pay in NC?

I agree about speed range. I find this van seems to handle best and get best mpg at 62-65 mph.

It was $370.
I was quoted $279 but 'for some reason' it ended up more. I made a stink about it but paid anyway because what can I do? Ask them to put the dirty fluid back in?
Take them to court over $90?
Got a customer service survey afterwards and gave them all negative marks. Then the customer service lady had the nerve to call me asking why I gave her a bad review?!
I know I won't be going back to Ford for future service if I can help it.
When I went to the Durham NC Ford service center they had half a dozen people who just camped out at their desks all day. Calling and emailing people trying to get them to come in for service.
The cost of those useless employees who do not fix anything has to come out of the service prices. So it's just necessarily going to cost much more than Joe's Service Shop which just employs mechanics. Wonder if all Ford service centers are staffed like this?

 

[Tdub]

Possibly tires?

 

[Calaverasgrande]

Possibly tires?

Nah the tires were brand new and are inflated to spec.
If you read the whole thread, the rumble strip noise vanished after the AT fluid was replaced.
I've done about 3k miles since then and it's been running perfect.
Now I just want to eliminate the resonant nodes the driveline hits at certain speeds.
When I slow down to 60-65 it's kind of annoying, but I get great mileage when I keep the RPM at 2k.