Ford - Focus :: Vibration Like Driving Over The Intense Short Rumble Strips
Nov 30, 2013
Problem: Vibration together with a noise that sounds abrasive and destructive. Mechanics have failed me.
It feels like driving over the intense short rumble strips that are meant to tell you when a wheel is outside the traffic lane. I feel and hear it in any gear, whether I am moving or not, but hardly at all in Park or Neutral, and hardly at all when cruising at high speeds. It is worst on the first drive of the day - much less on subsequent drives, even if the engine has been allowed to cool fully.
History: When this began, less than 600 miles ago, I had the transmission checked, where I had warranty coverage.
Found: No transmission trouble but a broken engine mount.
I had the engine mount replaced (and two gaskets replaced because they had started to leak), together with Virginia's mandated annual inspection - passed.
Vibration lessened but continued and started to worsen. Within 3 days the engine stalled in traffic and THE NEXT DAY the "check engine" light came on. I went back to the same place. The ignition coil and spark plugs were replaced. Power returned, and no stalling or warning light, but the vibration persisted.
One mechanic baffled: "What do you expect with 101K mileage and 16 valves?" - But this came up too fast to be ordinary wear and tear. What should I do?
2.0L Zetec E engine.
View 9 Replies
Advertisement
I have a 2000 f150 lariat. Mo problem started about 2 weeks ago. Around town its fine but when I go over 50 mph it feels like I'm driving down the rumble strips on the highway and after a couple miles it just smooths out and its fine! Yesterday I went on the interstate and it did the same but this time I ran up to 85 and the vibration stopped.
I had another motor put in about 2 months ago, #4, and he changed my rear u joint as well. I replaced the rear passenger side wheel bearing a couple months ago but there seemed like a little play in the axle still but not bad. I've been to the dealer and a few other mechanics but it doesn't do it all the time and they couldn't find what is wrong.
View 6 Replies
My 2005 Infiniti G35 has 144,000 miles, two new rear tires and two good front tires. Sometimes, and I cannot nail down or reproduce-on-demand this situation, my car will suddenly begin to vibrate as if I'm driving over a smaller version of those rumble strips on the side of the road. The vibration continues when I take my foot off the accelerator, and will continue at a slower rate as I decelerate until I stop. Often it seems that when I come to a dead stop and accelerate again, the vibration stops, but other times it will continue as I accelerate.
But what's really odd is other times I'll just be cruising along and the vibration will begin, keep vibrating for a few miles, then peter out and disappear. I haven't totally nailed down whether or not braking affects it, but if pressed I would say that I would use the brakes at least once before it disappears. Also, it only seems to begin once I hit 50-60 mph, but again, it doesn't happen every time I go this speed. Other times this car drives incredible and makes the road feel as smooth as glass.
I haven't taken it to the shop because I'm sure they won't be able to reproduce it.
View 11 Replies
My 2010 F150 randomly feels like I'm driving over the rumble strips as well as a small jerk like there is a cylinder misfire. If keep it at constant speed it still happens, but under cruise control it stops. Even when load increases like going up a hill.
View 14 Replies
I hooked up the boat and went out for a tow. I ended up getting a pretty good vibration and thought maybe it was time for balancing the trailer tires. As it turns out I needed two new tires as they were at the wear bars (cheap crappy bias ply tires) so I ended up buying 4 trailer tire radials and had them balanced.
As it turns out I have what I guess is a shudder at slow speeds and also can feel it at other speeds as well. A way to explain it is that it sort of feels like you are driving over the rumble strips on the side of the road but really small ones.
View 14 Replies
Had the torque converter replaced twice on my 2007 Explorer Limited last December. Ford dealer did it once and then there were still issues so they had to replace it again. All seemed fishy to me.
Now a new issue that sounds like driving over rumble strips. Torque converter?
View 1 Replies
I have a 02 durango. Yesterday once i was accelerating over 30 it started feeling like i was driving over rumble strips a little. It felt like it was towards the back. I drove 15 miles to the store and back. On the way home it died down and went away. Today I started driving to town and it is doing it at all speeds. The vibration doesn't seem to change with speed but is much more intense. Only happens when I give it gas. I have searched many forums and not sure where to start? I've read everything from torque converter to solonoids to u-joints, axle bearings, engine problems, or a bad differential.
View 5 Replies
I have a '98 Ranger 4.0L SuperCab 4x4 Automatic
The other day i was driving, around 40 MPH and suddenly the truck felt like I hit rumble strips on the highway, I hit the brakes and when the truck got down to about 10-15 MPH, it went away. It didn't feel like an out of balance tire or anything like that. It felt exactly like I hit rumble strips. It was a strong, high frequency vibration. I then continued on my way, and it was fine for a little while, still doing 40 mph, then suddenly out of nowhere the same vibration came back. Once again, I slowed back down, it went away and stayed gone even when I sped back up.
Both front hub bearings are less than a year old, and a quick check of the driveshaft seemed to indicate the u-joints are still tight. Front diff/driveshaft turns freely and smoothly and the front hubs are not locked.
'm going to try and jack the truck up and check everything thoroughly, but I'm really at a loss here, as I've never experienced anything like this before in any vehicle. Some reading suggests that it might be transmission related to the 5R55, but I'm really unsure.
View 11 Replies
Very weird thing happened on the way home from work. When I left work (not to full temp) at about 1500 rpm and 30 mph (had to be at 30mph--seemed to be the key) the whole truck felt like it was rolling across rumple strips (the ones one the shoulder of the road) all vitals were normal and it was gone once on the interstate and up to temp (I did gon on it to blow out anything that may have needed to be) it felt more like drive line but honestly can't say. 2006 F350 4X4 ....
View 7 Replies
I've looked at all the shudder issues thru the forums and mine seems a little different. Mine feels like I'm riding over tiny rumble strips or like pebbles and at all speeds. I just got new tires and a front end alignment. mine seems to do a little bit of that shudder thing but all the time. I bought it used from a honda dealer with 48k on it. I have to take it to them for the warranty they gave me. Curious how that's going to work out. 2009 5.4 3.55 rear and 157" wb. 4x4.
View 3 Replies
My truck just recently started to vibrate like it is going over rumble strips. It only happens over 40MPH and sporadically. It seems to happen when I'm just giving enough gas to maintain speed. Once it starts if I let off the gas or give it more gas it goes away. It reoccurs anywhere from 20 seconds up to a few minutes. I'm afraid my tire is going to fly off or my drive shaft is going to drop. There is no unusual noises or thuds if I go on and off the gas and the universal joints seem tight, and there is no vibrations from on steering wheel.
View 10 Replies
I have a 09 Subaru Forester with 66k miles that vibrates like it is going over rumble strips when it up shifts from 3rd to 4th gear. It occurs under normal (not brisk) acceleration. I had the trans fluid changed at both the 30k and 60k services. I have owned this since new. It began before the 60k service. Also, sometimes the tach will increase revs during this as well. I don't know if this next thing is related but when I once need to merge quickly into interstate traffic I gave it a good amount of throttle and the tach revs increased but the trans did not follow with an immediate down shift.
View 4 Replies
I have a 07 Camry XLE, and recently got a great deal on some almost new 2010 highlander 19in rims, the rims are excellent... they have been balanced 2 times by hunter road-force machine and that seem to lower just a bit the vibration at speeds upward of 50mph, but not significant. 4 new tires are 225/40/19. my mechanic checked for bearings,Axel, etc. everything good, the rims are not warped/bended, no damage. air pressure checked..
I contacted a couple other Camry's with them on at car domain and I'm awaiting a reply. Is there something else that can be done about the rattling, intense vibration at high speed ? or just deal with it?
I have the minimum spacers in front because by the rim installers the rims would rub against the front calipers.on my original XLE rims i had no vibration what so ever.
View 14 Replies
Our 2007 Grand Caravan with a 3.3 Liter Engine has intermittent vibration which feels similar to driving over rumble bars. It usually occurs between 30-50 mph but sometimes at 70-80 mph as well. Have had the suspension checked and had outer tie rod end replaced. Also had sway bar bushings replaced and front end aligned. We then brought it to transmission shop and had a transmission diagnostic performed. They found no faults with the transmission and thought the engine needed a tune-up which we did with no success. At a recent oil change, we asked for them to test drive it and check again for any suspension problems. They did not notice any vibration during the test drive and found no problems with the suspension.
View 4 Replies
After two repair shops telling me there is nothing wrong with my car, I'm at a loss. My car is in great condition except when it decides not to start. On hot days, if I am doing several errands I need to worry about if my car will work after the first stop. After driving for a bit, when I turn off my car and return a short while later it will not start. The car will attempt to turn over and the battery works just fine, it just won't start. Also, another issue I think is related and connected to this is that on car trips lasting more than 15 minutes, the air conditioning will stop working. The air will blow but the cool 'conditioning' aspect will fail and I will be stuck with hot air blowing at me. The catch to this is that after waiting 2 hours for a tow, the driver was able to start my car on the first try, thus making the tow unnecessary. Obviously my car is not 'perfect' like the repair shops are telling me....
View 1 Replies
I am experiencing a slight rumble-strip-like vibration/noise when veering to the right. There is no noticeable vibration when driving straight or to the right - sounds like it's coming from the front. I thought it was my tires but had them rotated with same symptoms/ I first noticed this shortly after I had them rotated in July. So it's probably front suspension.
View 3 Replies
Any way to drive the car with only the DRL LED strips and fog lights on only? Kind of like BMW can run with the halo lights and fog lights. Is there any computer remapping I can do or any rewiring?
View 9 Replies
I have a 2004 Mustang convertible V6 auto with 140K miles. The car has a rumble-strip like vibration that will come and go at any speed. But seems to be most noticeable at highway speeds when the car hits a ruff spot in the road. It will rumble for a short while the gradually go away. It can be more pronounced sometimes than other times.
The car did hit a curb with the right side front tire, enough so that the tire had to be replaced and did scuff up the wheel pretty good also. Had the one tire replaced, all tires balanced and rotated. Front-end alignment done.
Engine and transmission both seem to operate smoothly. New plugs, wires and throttle body cleaned. New brakes all four. I have noticed the ball joint on the front right does have a small amount of play?
View 11 Replies
I recently bought a 2004 Mustang convertible V6 auto with 180K miles to be my daughter's first car. The car has a driveability issue. It has a "rumble-strip" like vibration at speeds between 35-55 mph. This is when accelerating or decelerating. If I slip the car in neutral when driving the vibration is gone. Here is what I have done: new plugs, wires, coil. New u-joints. Front end needed a new tie rod end on right side, new transmission filter and fluid (only replacing lost pan fluid). Another thing wrong with the car (possibly related?) is that the ABS & traction control lights are stuck on indicating a system failure with the ABS.
Note that when replacing the ujoints I noted a couple of things:1- there is SOME amount of play at the transmission tailshaft bushing. It seemed excessive to me, but a local transmission shop told me that if it is not leaking fluid that it is not a problem. I did not gage the movement, but it was close to 1/16".2 - The other thing I noticed is that the universal joint for the rear yoke was a little bit stiff, meaning that it did not move as easily as I would have thought that it should. This was the case with both the old rear u-joint and the new, This indicates to me that the pinion trunnion ears are not perfectly aligned, but not sure what I should expect.
View 18 Replies
2004 6.0L Excursion Limited 4x4.
I recently developed a "rumble" with vibration while braking. I describe it as a rumble because I associate it to a similar sound, cadence, and feeling as if you were slowing down on the rumble strips you find on the side of the highway.
It is mostly only noticeable at lower speeds. I know the sound and feeling of warped rotors, but this seems different. If it makes any difference, one issue I've been dealing with is that the front transfer case does not release when 4x4 is off and hubs are in AUTO.
View 14 Replies
2001 Dodge Stratus R/T, 5 speed manual - under load, it feels like I'm driving over warning strips in the road, and stops when I coast. The CVJ's feel and look OK. So do the wheel bearings. Could it be something in the final drive? It happens in all the gears.
View 1 Replies
