TSB 20-2277 2019-2020 Ranger - Shudder/Vibration When Accelerating From A Stop

[Rp930]

Would like to know how many trucks with a problem are lifted.

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[Ogden Dan]

Would like to know how many trucks with a problem are lifted.

I would also like to know what the geometry differences are between shudder trucks and non-shudder trucks. (Or whatever the cause of the problem is)

All of the trucks on the dealer lot here have a similar shudder so it will be interesting to see what the final poll numbers are.

Dan

 

[ChiefQM]

My truck is not lifted. The dealer says the rear axle pinion angle was 5.4 degrees, after they shimmed the axle it is now 4.2 degrees. But the shudder is less noticeable.

 

[rdgallo]

I know it is early in the pole, but I am surprised how many trucks do not have the problem. My service manager told me he has driven all of their stock trucks and they all have it. He said I was the only one that has complained. When he does mine on October 7, I will be his first victim. It would be interesting to know what the angle measurement is on those that do not shudder.

 

[Zaph]

I know it is early in the pole, but I am surprised how many trucks do not have the problem. My service manager told me he has driven all of their stock trucks and they all have it. He said I was the only one that has complained. When he does mine on October 7, I will be his first victim. It would be interesting to know what the angle measurement is on those that do not shudder.

Thanks mod for adding the poll. Haha, I forgot the "it worked" option. For me it's not really bad at all. In fact I only really feel it when I get on the gas a little harder at a stop sign. Maybe a little more when turning, less when pulling away straight. Easing away from a stop sign.... nothing.

I suspect all trucks have it, just some people notice it less than others and it depends on driving style. Aggressive heavy foot drivers are going to notice.

Got my center bearing shim kit in today to try. It will be the butt vibration monitoring system. At work we're getting in one of these real vibration monitor systems to help a customer and I could probably use it but I'd have to run wires to the underside of the truck and drive around at high speed to get useful data. The setup would be a pain in the ass. The funny thing is I suspect the useful data, and the increased vibration is actually at higher driveshaft rpms, it's just that nobody feels it because it is absorbed by the chassis. The faster you go, the more hp you need and the more vibration there is, but the higher your rpm, the more the vibration is absorbed in rubber bushings. At low rpms the vibration monitor system is just going to read garbage, but at high rpm we can have high amplitude and accurate trending.

 

[TrebMaxx]

I will wait to put input into the poll but I have the shudder. I will be setting up a service appointment in the next couple of weeks and then will report back.

 

[Ogden Dan]

I know it is early in the pole, but I am surprised how many trucks do not have the problem. My service manager told me he has driven all of their stock trucks and they all have it. He said I was the only one that has complained. When he does mine on October 7, I will be his first victim. It would be interesting to know what the angle measurement is on those that do not shudder.

I had the same thought as you. Ford had the tech here at the dealer drive the trucks on the lot and they all had it as well. I'm thinking the number of trucks exhibiting this problem is actually higher but some owners are more sensitive than others. Driving on roads than are a bit on the rough side will also mask the problem as it occurs in a very narrow band when accelerating.

Dan

 

[rdgallo]

I had the same thought as you. Ford had the tech here at the dealer drive the trucks on the lot and they all had it as well. I'm thinking the number of trucks exhibiting this problem is actually higher but some owners are more sensitive than others. Driving on roads than are a bit on the rough side will also mask the problem as it occurs in a very narrow band when accelerating.

Dan

What I also find strange is that the shudder on mine is intermittent. Earlier today I was driving and only felt it a couple times. Tonight I drove across town and it was evident everytime I accelerated from a stop. Unfortunately it is evident a whole lot more than it is not. Why wouldn't it be there all the time if the angle of the driveline is incorrect? Does that angle change all the time? This is why I am not too optimistic on the TSB fixing it. We will see. I get the TSB done on the 7th and will report back.

 

[commbubba19]

mine is intermittent as well. the more i drive the less i notice it's there. colder temps make it more apparent too.

personally, i don't feel it is pinion angle or the carrier bearing but something with the torque converter.

 

[Tann3rth3hamm3r]

I wonder if having a full tank of gas or not affects how often the shudder is felt? I would think with a full tank of gas versus an empty tank of gas you're going to have a slightly lowered vehicle due to the additional weight. Could this affect the angle of the drive line with this additional weight? I've noticed people say they don't feel the shudder when they have a load on the back like a trailer.

I've told the dealership that I want less than a quarter tank of gas in the truck when I do my test drive after the TSB is completed.

 

[rdgallo]

I wonder if having a full tank of gas or not affects how often the shudder is felt? I would think with a full tank of gas versus an empty tank of gas you're going to have a slightly lowered vehicle due to the additional weight. Could this affect the angle of the drive line with this additional weight? I've noticed people say they don't feel the shudder when they have a load on the back like a trailer.

I've told the dealership that I want less than a quarter tank of gas in the truck when I do my test drive after the TSB is completed.

Interesting thoughts. I also wonder why Ford did not know about this problem and fix it during the development and release of this Ranger. If it was not apparent during the pre-production phase, then what has changed since? Apparently they had a few around to use in developing this TSB.

 

[ChiefQM]

I wonder if having a full tank of gas or not affects how often the shudder is felt? I would think with a full tank of gas versus an empty tank of gas you're going to have a slightly lowered vehicle due to the additional weight. Could this affect the angle of the drive line with this additional weight? I've noticed people say they don't feel the shudder when they have a load on the back like a trailer.

I've told the dealership that I want less than a quarter tank of gas in the truck when I do my test drive after the TSB is completed.

The instructions for the TSB stipulate a half tank of gas.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Interesting thoughts. I also wonder why Ford did not know about this problem and fix it during the development and release of this Ranger. If it was not apparent during the pre-production phase, then what has changed since? Apparently they had a few around to use in developing this TSB.

Hi Ron,

You have asked a good question of which I have no answer directly. At launch of the production Ranger, there is an engineering drive team and the program will dictate how many Rangers the team must evaluate and for what distance they will evaluate, usually under 75 miles and the vehicle warranty is extended by the amount of the drive. If this was a problem that bubbled up, which I do not know but suspect it was flagged, (JMO!) the upper management of the program has to decided to fix it, let it go or something in the manufacturing process changed to now introduce the concern. I do not know the exact rate of problem occurrence, which is why I implored those with the problem to notify Ford Customer Care. The fact that a TSB was issued indicates that Field Service Engineering decided this problem was real and of an amount to investigate and develop a "fix". Whether this is a robust fix remains to be seen. Witness the cold start. We now have a second TSB as the first one failed on the cold start part. I have this surge and will be calling the dealership to get my PCM reflash....difficult to back out of the garage with the surging. So if the shudder fix is unsatisfactory, back to Ford Customer Care with another complaint. Sad it is a non robust process....hopefully Jim Farley can change the way Ford handles customers.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[ChiefQM]

Interesting thoughts. I also wonder why Ford did not know about this problem and fix it during the development and release of this Ranger. If it was not apparent during the pre-production phase, then what has changed since? Apparently they had a few around to use in developing this TSB.

Ford has to know. So few vehicles involved, so they are ignoring it and hoping we go away.

 

[rdgallo]

Hi Ron,

You have asked a good question of which I have no answer directly. At launch of the production Ranger, there is an engineering drive team and the program will dictate how many Rangers the team must evaluate and for what distance they will evaluate, usually under 75 miles and the vehicle warranty is extended by the amount of the drive. If this was a problem that bubbled up, which I do not know but suspect it was flagged, (JMO!) the upper management of the program has to decided to fix it, let it go or something in the manufacturing process changed to now introduce the concern. I do not know the exact rate of problem occurrence, which is why I implored those with the problem to notify Ford Customer Care. The fact that a TSB was issued indicates that Field Service Engineering decided this problem was real and of an amount to investigate and develop a "fix". Whether this is a robust fix remains to be seen. Witness the cold start. We now have a second TSB as the first one failed on the cold start part. I have this surge and will be calling the dealership to get my PCM reflash....difficult to back out of the garage with the surging. So if the shudder fix is unsatisfactory, back to Ford Customer Care with another complaint. Sad it is a non robust process....hopefully Jim Farley can change the way Ford handles customers.

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

As always, Phil, thanks for the information. We will see what the TSB does for mine. I am hoping for a fix, but am slightly skeptic. When you say, "PCM reflash" is the PCM the electronic brain for the tranny/engine? My truck's shifting behavior has never been what I call great. Some days are better than others. Mine seems like it will shift and then balks/surges right after the shift. I probably should have the dealer reflash mine also while it is in for the TSB. Again, thanks for your input.

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