Vibration after new suspension install
#21
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Well I had my two rear ties replaced and the vibration is gone. I guess the lowered suspension brought out an imperfection in the tire/balance that was not noticeable beforehand. Smooth as silk now.
I count myself as one of the lucky '05s that always had a very quiet rear end. At this point (knocking on wood here) I think I might be just about done with mods. Plus she's getting older now. Nearly 63k...I'm guessing with the tune and all that I'll be due for an engine overhaul at around 80k.
I count myself as one of the lucky '05s that always had a very quiet rear end. At this point (knocking on wood here) I think I might be just about done with mods. Plus she's getting older now. Nearly 63k...I'm guessing with the tune and all that I'll be due for an engine overhaul at around 80k.
#22
Mach 1 Member
Well I had my two rear ties replaced and the vibration is gone. I guess the lowered suspension brought out an imperfection in the tire/balance that was not noticeable beforehand. Smooth as silk now.
I count myself as one of the lucky '05s that always had a very quiet rear end. At this point (knocking on wood here) I think I might be just about done with mods. Plus she's getting older now. Nearly 63k...I'm guessing with the tune and all that I'll be due for an engine overhaul at around 80k.
I count myself as one of the lucky '05s that always had a very quiet rear end. At this point (knocking on wood here) I think I might be just about done with mods. Plus she's getting older now. Nearly 63k...I'm guessing with the tune and all that I'll be due for an engine overhaul at around 80k.
Mine only really makes noise on "float" going over 70MPH which I find interesting. It's a humming/drumming sound, low pitched and sounds a lot like road noise or the harmonics you hear sitting in a small propeller driven plane. It's not loud, easy to drown out with the radio and no one but me would ever notice unless I point it out. Tires could certainly be a factor too, but I'd expect a constant sound if that was the issue. Did you ever pay enough attention to yours to figure out all the conditions?
I did find it interesting your panhard bar solved some of your vibration issues. I'm going to be adding one to mine (the rear is a little over 1/4 off) to center it back up to spec and to add some rigidity in the corners. Maybe I'll get lucky and it'll actually quiet mine down too, but I doubt it.
Tim
#23
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I should add I also have NITTO NT555 tires. The front two are visibly out of round. Nothing drastic and the tire shop claims they should balance out. Overall they handle well but despite their popularity I won't be buying another set.
Tim
Tim
#24
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These tires are pretty loud but I managed to get 30k out of them. I had originally wanted to go with the bfg's but they were on backorder. before the wear was much worse on the rears. I think there is an outside chance that the new suspension will balance this out a bit.
Yes the panhard bar did definitely make a difference. However my rear end was more than 1/2" out. I also had caster bolts installed just to be perfect.
Yes the panhard bar did definitely make a difference. However my rear end was more than 1/2" out. I also had caster bolts installed just to be perfect.
#25
Well I had my two rear ties replaced and the vibration is gone. I guess the lowered suspension brought out an imperfection in the tire/balance that was not noticeable beforehand. Smooth as silk now.
I count myself as one of the lucky '05s that always had a very quiet rear end. At this point (knocking on wood here) I think I might be just about done with mods. Plus she's getting older now. Nearly 63k...I'm guessing with the tune and all that I'll be due for an engine overhaul at around 80k.
I count myself as one of the lucky '05s that always had a very quiet rear end. At this point (knocking on wood here) I think I might be just about done with mods. Plus she's getting older now. Nearly 63k...I'm guessing with the tune and all that I'll be due for an engine overhaul at around 80k.
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#28
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I agree. For the money it's really incredible. The fastest I believe I've been up to is only about 110. Felt very smooth and controlled. Front end seems much more pinned down at those speeds than it used to.
#29
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Tim
#30
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Glad you guys are happy with your kits. After weeks in the garage and 4 different dealers/speed shops I give up on mine. I'm just disgusted with the car at this point, if it wouldn't cost me a divorce I'd be trading it for a 2011 (after test driving to ensure it's vibration free of course).
Tim
Tim
#31
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#32
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Originally Posted by tdbrown75
Glad you guys are happy with your kits. After weeks in the garage and 4 different dealers/speed shops I give up on mine. I'm just disgusted with the car at this point, if it wouldn't cost me a divorce I'd be trading it for a 2011 (after test driving to ensure it's vibration free of course).
Tim
#33
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I was just disgusted last night. I'm going to try a panhard next (I need it anyway) just so I know everything’s lined up right, and after that I'll have to re-evaluate. I'm not really hopeful the panhard bar will resolve the issue, but I'll get no further with the Ford dealer who did the gears so long as there's any slight drive train variance due to lowering. I had the gears done at a dealer and have an extended power train warranty, so I'm really hoping to eventually figure this out.
Going back is not really an option, I think I'm in too deep already I just wished I'd never have messed with gears in the 1st place. For everyone with an issue I'm sure there are many more that don't really notice the problems or don't understand them well enough to care. What a total nightmare.
Tim
#34
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Tim
#35
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Well, no dice on the panhard, the sound/vibration remain the same. Not sure what if anything I will try next. I'm tempted to try swapping my wheels/tires just to rule that out but it would probably be a waste of time too.
After driving around with it for a few weeks I don't notice it getting worse and it's really not noticeable with the radio on anyway. There's always the dealer, but every time I take it there I find a new scuff/scrape so I'm not sure it's worth messing with anymore.
Tim
After driving around with it for a few weeks I don't notice it getting worse and it's really not noticeable with the radio on anyway. There's always the dealer, but every time I take it there I find a new scuff/scrape so I'm not sure it's worth messing with anymore.
Tim
#36
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I wonder if a dyno shop could help you isolate the issue? You could run the car at any speed/rpm and look under and around it at the same time. Just a crazy thought. I have a feeling you're as much of a perfectionist as I am.
I also think the wheel swop is worth a try. I'm sure someone on the forum would switch with you for a day. The new tires I put on definitely helped. Probably bc I used that fix a flat crap way back in the day.
I also think the wheel swop is worth a try. I'm sure someone on the forum would switch with you for a day. The new tires I put on definitely helped. Probably bc I used that fix a flat crap way back in the day.
#37
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I wonder if a dyno shop could help you isolate the issue? You could run the car at any speed/rpm and look under and around it at the same time. Just a crazy thought. I have a feeling you're as much of a perfectionist as I am.
I also think the wheel swap is worth a try. I'm sure someone on the forum would switch with you for a day. The new tires I put on definitely helped. Probably bc I used that fix a flat crap way back in the day.
I also think the wheel swap is worth a try. I'm sure someone on the forum would switch with you for a day. The new tires I put on definitely helped. Probably bc I used that fix a flat crap way back in the day.
Actually the dealership that did the gear install has a dyno and tried just that. The problem is there isn’t really a visible vibration, the mirrors don’t shake or anything so it’s real difficult to pinpoint. I suppose it’s more of a harmonic vibration, definitely more sound then vibe in this case. I tried swapping wheels last Sunday evening and there was no change so at least I’m able to rule the tires/wheels out. I know my driveline angles are correct now too. The dealership tried the driveshaft balancing procedure and that did not help either. They say the gears have a good wear pattern and measure within spec. There’s no metal in the oil, and everything looks good. I have no idea what else to possibly check or do. There must be something else out of whack, perhaps a warped carrier or one of those axles with the bad pinion bore I’ve read about. I’ve put a call back into the dealership and am waiting to hear back.
I’m not ready to give up yet but it’s looking like I may just have to learn to live with it in the end, I just hope I can get past it and enjoy the car if it comes to that.
Tim
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Well you've now got a couple things going for you. 1. You know functionally your car is pretty **** perfect. 2. Your problem didn't cause visible vibration like mine did. That crap got old fast.
#39
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As the dealership is willing to give it one more go, and after spending about $700 on adjustable suspension components I suppose I had better follow through. I figure worse case they can’t find anything and my issue/complaint is logged should something go south down the road. I'm not willing to take this as far as some of the others I have seen with multiple gear sets, drive shafts, axles and the rest. I'd rather live with it then go through all that.
I've taken to looking at it this way: If I knew returning the car to stock would 100% eliminate the issue (and I don't know that), I wouldn't do it anyway, it's just too much fun with the mods. I’ll let you know how this last trip goes!
Tim
#40
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Well the gears have developed a whine and howl, so chances are they are going to be the culprit. Car goes back to the dealer Monday at 8AM. This will be my 4th set....
Tim
Tim
Last edited by tdbrown75; 2/18/11 at 07:24 PM.