Getting a new driveshaft- thump on stop/pull away and vibes at 0-15mph.

[silverflash]

so i have owned my 2021 fx4 since new. i noticed right away a thump when coming to a stop and also when pulling away from a stop. I also noticed a vibration when accelerating from a stop till about 15mph. I took it in to my selling dealer who applied a tsb where they added shims to the rear.

here is a more recent one but it's basically the same as the one from 2021.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10233590-0001.pdf

it moved the vibes around a bit but didn't do away with them. The thump, well they weren't too excited to address but i had found threads on this being due to lack of lube and presented my case to them about ordering a clamp and lube kit so that they could lube the spline. It was on backorder and they basically jsut dropped the ball, and i said eff it, and I've jsut driven that way since then. Hasn't gotten worse in 20k miles but i have moved to a new area and decided to take it in for the above issues as well as the trans shifting wonkiness.

They came back saying trans is fine and that i need a new driveshaft- which they have ordered and they said, "driving with it like this, may cause more damage".

I did some searching and found a tsb:

Technical Service Information 23-2251

So they are replacing the driveshaft and i am hoping that fixes the shudder AND the thumping coming to a stop.

With that said, as I have the shim kit already installed, how will that interaxt with the new driveshaft? Will they need to remove that?

Being that I am up on doing my own maintenance myself (rear diff done etc), what will they touch that i will need to check behind? Will they have to drain the rear diff? Will they have to remove the rear wheels?

thanks!

Sponsored

 

[EJH]

Replacing the driveshaft will not require removing anything else. Access is easy. I have lubed my spline joint twice and only lightly jacked up the rear axle to allow the wheels to spin. The first time I used the white Teflon bases Ford lube and the thump was decreased then came back. The second time I used CS Moly and it has stayed gone.

IMHO, I would have just paid for, and replaced, your OEM shaft with the Tom Woods aftermarket shaft. Most (maybe everyone) with a shudder reports it gone with the new TW shaft.

 

[silverflash]

Replacing the driveshaft will not require removing anything else. Access is easy. I have lubed my spline joint twice and only lightly jacked up the rear axle to allow the wheels to spin. The first time I used the white Teflon bases Ford lube and the thump was decreased then came back. The second time I used CS Moly and it has stayed gone.

IMHO, I would have just paid for, and replaced, your OEM shaft with the Tom Woods aftermarket shaft. Most (maybe everyone) with a shudder reports it gone with the new TW shaft.

i have a warranty so...............

the new tsb also mentions replacing the pinion seal and the parts list shows rear diff lube. it implies that they can replace the rear pinion seal but might not have to....

 

[Hethern]

so i have owned my 2021 fx4 since new. i noticed right away a thump when coming to a stop and also when pulling away from a stop. I also noticed a vibration when accelerating from a stop till about 15mph. I took it in to my selling dealer who applied a tsb where they added shims to the rear.

here is a more recent one but it's basically the same as the one from 2021.
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2023/MC-10233590-0001.pdf

it moved the vibes around a bit but didn't do away with them. The thump, well they weren't too excited to address but i had found threads on this being due to lack of lube and presented my case to them about ordering a clamp and lube kit so that they could lube the spline. It was on backorder and they basically jsut dropped the ball, and i said eff it, and I've jsut driven that way since then. Hasn't gotten worse in 20k miles but i have moved to a new area and decided to take it in for the above issues as well as the trans shifting wonkiness.

They came back saying trans is fine and that i need a new driveshaft- which they have ordered and they said, "driving with it like this, may cause more damage".

I did some searching and found a tsb:

Technical Service Information 23-2251

So they are replacing the driveshaft and i am hoping that fixes the shudder AND the thumping coming to a stop.

With that said, as I have the shim kit already installed, how will that interaxt with the new driveshaft? Will they need to remove that?

Being that I am up on doing my own maintenance myself (rear diff done etc), what will they touch that i will need to check behind? Will they have to drain the rear diff? Will they have to remove the rear wheels?

thanks!

Make sure you check the driver side Motor Mount, same exact symptoms.

 

[silverflash]

Make sure you check the driver side Motor Mount, same exact symptoms.

really? is there a tsb on that?

 

[Hethern]

really? is there a tsb on that?

Not sure but it's covered by the warranty.

 

[silverflash]

Not sure but it's covered by the warranty.

well dealer says it's the driveshaft. i guess we shall see once they get the part, install, say it's good, then i drive it. usually, in my recent experience(not with the current dealer but other dealers), they say it's fixed only for me to experience same issue as before.....

 

[cbkirwan]

I have this exact issue. My 2022 FX4 only has 25K on it. What part of the warranty covers this issue?

 

[Hethern]

I have this exact issue. My 2022 FX4 only has 25K on it. What part of the warranty covers this issue?

Not sure, more than likely the Drive Train.

 

[cbkirwan]

@Hethern thanks, I just made an appointment with my local Ford Dealer. They want $247 just to look at it though. If it's a manufacturer issue shouldn't the manufacturer eat that in the end?

 

[RangerPNW]

Replacing the driveshaft will not require removing anything else. Access is easy. I have lubed my spline joint twice and only lightly jacked up the rear axle to allow the wheels to spin. The first time I used the white Teflon bases Ford lube and the thump was decreased then came back. The second time I used CS Moly and it has stayed gone.

IMHO, I would have just paid for, and replaced, your OEM shaft with the Tom Woods aftermarket shaft. Most (maybe everyone) with a shudder reports it gone with the new TW shaft.

Totally agree with just replacing the shaft with the Tom Woods unit. I didn't feel like going through the whole song and dance with the dealership, going back and forth hoping to find a solution as I've heard plenty on this forum where even the "fixes" didn't always solve the problem... So ultimately went the Tom Woods option and what a difference that made. In my opinion, this is how the truck should have left the factory.

 

[Caden138]

I have the exact issues you are describing and it is for sure the driveshaft. Dealer wrote it off as "operating as designed." I would love to go the Tom Woods route as I have only seen great reviews, my only issue is that I have a Tremor and not so sure Tom Woods will be producing any more of the driveshafts for the Tremor. Thinking about going to a local driveshaft shop to see if they can craft something up..

 

[Hethern]

@Hethern thanks, I just made an appointment with my local Ford Dealer. They want $247 just to look at it though. If it's a manufacturer issue shouldn't the manufacturer eat that in the end?

It's a pretty easy diagnosis, just pop the hood and look between it and the dash. Hold the brake and push the accelerator. If the engine rises up a couple of inches, bingo motor mount.

 

[RangerPNW]

I have the exact issues you are describing and it is for sure the driveshaft. Dealer wrote it off as "operating as designed." I would love to go the Tom Woods route as I have only seen great reviews, my only issue is that I have a Tremor and not so sure Tom Woods will be producing any more of the driveshafts for the Tremor. Thinking about going to a local driveshaft shop to see if they can craft something up..

I'd reach out to them, their website suggests they're still working on it.

 

[Caden138]

I'd reach out to them, their website suggests they're still working on it.

I did send an email, and I believe there was a email notification list I signed up for as well if the Tremor Driveshafts get produced. It does say "early 2024," so I am still holding out some hope haha

Sponsored