[Ahoelk]

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.

 

[alarmist]

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.

 

[jonsobi]

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.

 

[lotuseater]

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..

 

[jonsobi]

Interesting, the sound is very annoying.

Would appreciate if you keep us posted on this, especially if the flywheel fix is successful.

 

[GROOVY2]

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

 

[Ahoelk]

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?

 

[hammerdown]

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.

 

[lotuseater]

@GROOVY2: I already used my action cam!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrnIBJrAdKk

 

[Ahoelk]

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

 

[jonsobi]

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?

Thanks for the input. I'll bring it up with the dealer.

 

[Ahoelk]

Please all, let's keep each other informed so that we can hopefully find a solution to this.

 

[lotuseater]

this is the second video I took:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Inb7RwDgg0&feature=youtu.be

 

[lotuseater]

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..

 

[jonsobi]

Glad its not the flywheel.

 

[Ahoelk]

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

 

[Allensanders]

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.

 

[Ahoelk]

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.

 

[Td7]

I had a friend a few years back had a similar problem on a brand new F250 ended up being the drive shaft.

 

[jonsobi]

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.

The vibration on mine is noticeable at a variety of speeds. The steering wheel tremor is visible.