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Old 05-17-2012, 12:44 PM   #1
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Slight shudder ?

Ok something Ive noticed when driving my SMB.
When Im at a complete stop and then make a turn right or left from a stop sign I get a very slight shudder. It goes away very quickly (1-2 sec.) and will not do it again enless I come to a complete stop and either go right or left again. It will not do it if Im going straight forward from a stop and will not do it if I do a "rolling" stop through a intersection to go right or left. It seems to only happen from a complete stop and only when I turn left or right from that stop.
This is a recent purchase for me so I have no history of how it drove before I got it, or any sort of baseline on how this type of van should drive. It is a 2005 Ford SMB 4x4 with 38000 miles on it. I see no outward sign of anything funny or out of place and all fluids are at normal levels. So is this normal considering the lift on these? Should I have it looked at? Other than that shudder it drives very very smooth on the highway and secondary roads.
I wanted to get your opinions before I take it in to a mechanic.
Thanks
TraceyAZ

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Old 05-17-2012, 04:16 PM   #2
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Re: Slight shudder ?

Can you tell which end of the van makes the shudder?

It could be as simple as needing to add posi additive to the rear end.

Mike
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Old 05-17-2012, 05:21 PM   #3
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Re: Slight shudder ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ford_6L_E350
Can you tell which end of the van makes the shudder?

It could be as simple as needing to add posi additive to the rear end.

Mike


Im not for certain what end this is coming from. It sort of feels like a bad U-joint or a sticky slip yoke section of the drive shaft. But I would think I would feel this shudder at any stop and go situtation with that problem. The fact that it only will do it on left or right turns would or could point to the posi traction rear end. I know the van recently had a major service done to it. That included front and rear diff oil and t-case oil. I did read the service records and Im sure I seen something about the different additives that were done with it, but I will re-read all that and double check. I did not realize these had a posi rear end? Can the additives be had at any type of parts store or is this a Ford specific product?
Thank you Mike.
Tracey
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Old 05-17-2012, 05:50 PM   #4
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Re: Slight shudder ?

I agree with you that it probably isn't a u-joint or slip joint. When my slip joint needs grease it just makes a single muted clunk on takeoff.

The posi (sorry, that's a GM term - I meant limited slip) additive is not unique to Ford, although you can use theirs.

Here is another forum talking about a shuddering problem:

http://www.f150online.com/forums/other- ... itive.html

In at least one of the problems, using more friction modifier cured the shudder. It is simple and cheap enough to try.

Mike
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Old 05-17-2012, 06:56 PM   #5
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Re: Slight shudder ?

Thank you Mike,
I will look into this right away.
Tracey
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Old 05-18-2012, 08:25 AM   #6
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Re: Slight shudder ?

Sounds like the posi-traction to me. I had ours go out relatively "early" too. I've always thought that the posi-traction was a weak leak with the weight of our vans. I seem to recall that Quigley told us that the symptoms were most often felt after driving on a freeway, exiting on a straight exit ramp, and making a turn at the end of the ramp. But I don't recall why that might have been. Regardless, our van was still under warranty when Ford had to replace the posi-traction plates.
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Old 05-18-2012, 10:29 AM   #7
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Re: Slight shudder ?

I experience a slight shudder everytime I'm driving down the road and a Nissan MV is coming the other way. So far I've been able to control the urge to vomit.

Oh Wait.........that's a different type of shudder.
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Old 05-18-2012, 05:38 PM   #8
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Re: Slight shudder ?

Pulled the fill plug out today and found that the magnetic plug had just a little bit of the typical metal residue on it, nothing serious. Fluid level was good and looked clean. I put in the additive and took it out for a good 30 plus mile drive, Hwy and city roads. Im happy to report that it seems like the shudder has gone away!!
Im sure the mainteness record shows they put this additive in, now Im wondering if I should go through and redo the transfer case and front diff? I thought I read that both of those needed a special additive as well?
A big thanks to going out to you Mike!!
Tracey
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Old 05-18-2012, 05:46 PM   #9
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Re: Slight shudder ?

I'm glad it seems to have been something simple.

Maybe they added additive, but either not enough or your limited slip is one that needs more.

I don't believe either the transfer case or front diff need additives.

Mike
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