Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > THE CHASSIS CLUB FORUMS > Ford Motorhome Chassis Forum
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-06-2020, 11:46 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 4
Help with vibration at certain speeds

Hello.
I’ve been trying to do my research on this problem and not sure I’m looking in the right place.
We have a Tioga class c, Ford e450, 2006. Since buying it 5 years ago there has been this “rattle” noise at about 55mph that sounds like its coming from the center console. Rattles and squeaks are not something to be concerned about, until today. I’m on a long trip across Wyoming and found that the rattle:
Begins at 55 mph for a second, then goes away 56-62, returns 63-71, then gone again. Very specific speeds, and unrelated to rpms.
I’ve read a lot about driveshaft misalignment, but people asking if you “can outrun it”, which I can. (I haven’t read anything about what it could be if you can “outrun it”.)
The noise/vibration is loud and center front, like it’s under the center console. You cannot feel it in the steering wheel or by placing your hand on anything. Totally different from every other squeak/rattle.
We are on our second set of tires, and these are totally different tires this last round. Had them rebalanced today, so this is not suspect. Looking forward to advice. Thanks so much.
Corie is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 07-07-2020, 12:30 AM   #2
Senior Member
 
Unplanned Tourist's Avatar
 
Winnebago Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Kamloops, BC, 60 miles from the Center of the Universe according to the Rinpoche, of the SF monks.
Posts: 7,321
Sounds like u-joint or drive shaft problems.

We used to pull the drive axles out and run up to the speed the vibes are happening.

Take a bar and give the u-joints a good jiggle.

Any movement, and you likely found your problem.
__________________
Happy Glamping, Norman & Elna. 2008 Winnebago Adventurer 38J, W24, dozens of small thirsty ponies. Retired after 40 years wrenching on trucks! 2010 Ford Ranger toad with bicycles or KLR 650 in the back. Easy to spot an RVer, they always walk around with a screwdriver or wrench in one hand!
Unplanned Tourist is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2020, 07:59 AM   #3
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 4
Ok, thanks so much. As soon as I can I’ll have take a look at these.
Corie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2020, 09:32 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
avfordguy's Avatar
 
Monaco Owners Club
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Kingsville TX
Posts: 1,754
Possible heat shield rattle, crawl underneath and use a rubber mallet, start tapping around, bet you will find it.
avfordguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-07-2020, 12:12 PM   #5
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 4
Thanks, I’ll look for that first.
Corie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2020, 09:13 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
Reacher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Arisona
Posts: 700
If speed and not RPM sensitive are you feeling any vibration in the SW or the seat of your pants? Or are you just hearing a rattle? If you do feel vibration I would check the tires and wheels.
__________________
2023 GD Imagine XLS 23LDE 2022 Ford F-150
Reacher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-08-2020, 10:11 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Bob_C's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Vancouver Wash
Posts: 7,227
While you're under checking U joints, make sure if you have a 2 or more piece driveshaft, all joints are running in the same plane.....
Bob_C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2020, 04:37 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,152
If you have a multi-piece driveshaft (probably) with carrier bearing check to see if the rubber has shrunk. If it has this allows the driveshaft to float in the bracket causing what you are feeling.
Usually a piece of an old serpentine belt cut to fit on the flat side of the rubber will take up the space and cure the problem.
GM had a tech bulletin on many of their trucks to install a thin strip of metal to take up this space and fix this vibration. WE found the old piece of belt worked just as well.
I did this on my F53 chassis a couple of years ago for this issue.
leadman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-11-2020, 06:46 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Lowell, Arkansas
Posts: 7,297
What you're experiencing is somewhat typical of any vibration. Vibrations are small movements of loose parts be they a heat shield or a small interior piece of metal that has rusted and separated from another piece of the exhaust pipe allowing the vibration to occur. They will often occur at different road speeds which translates into different frequencies.

Then there's a harmonic of a frequency. The noise starts at 50 MPH then starts again at say 56 MPH because it's a harmonic of the first frequency. It could also be called a sympathetic vibration of the first frequency. It matters not it's still a vibration and can be stopped once you locate the source.

On several occasions over the years I saw interior exhaust pipes rust away and actually fold down internally partially blocking the exhaust flow. Depending on the blockage at low speeds the exhaust could get out so no issues. At higher speeds the exhaust couldn't get out the pressure built up resulting in a great loss of engine power. Those didn't cause vibrations but sure was a difficult diagnosis. It is possible that it could cause an audible vibration.

Do the diagnosis as suggested by others and you may spot something. Heat shield are notorious for having one spot weld break loose and vibrating at higher roads speeds. The rubber mallet it a good way to diagnosis those.
__________________
TeJay Auto Instructor/4-yrs USAF/ Liz: RN/ WBGO 2014 Vista 30T/ F-53/CHF/5-Star/Koni * Bella & Izzy * Golden /Cocker mix/ Louie The Cat* All Retired
TeJay is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-12-2020, 11:42 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
Gulf Streamers Club
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 4,309
Read a recent humor article, guy bought a car at great price due to a known knock/noise still there, rattle they thought was suspension; after replacing shocks, he FOUND the noise was multiple loose golf balls in hidden area in the trunk :-)
__________________
(TerryH.) 2000-GS Conquest Limited 6266 Class-C 99-E450SD V10
THenne1713 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-13-2020, 12:02 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Gulf Streamers Club
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Memphis, TN
Posts: 4,309
Crawl under, starting at back and check all exhaust hangers and heat shield mounts. I had new clamps, but lost 8ft tailpipe after weld peeled. For any one length, esp. behind rear axle, have THREE Clamp hangers, not just two.
__________________
(TerryH.) 2000-GS Conquest Limited 6266 Class-C 99-E450SD V10
THenne1713 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-15-2020, 08:04 PM   #12
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Posts: 4
Thanks, everyone. After crawling around and a couple of failed attempts, we finally found it. It was a heat shield that was rattling against another piece. It has been temporarily secured, and will be permanently fixed after I’m back home. Such a relief to have found it. Thanks again.
Corie is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
vibration



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Motorhome vibration at speeds above 55mph majicchuck Class A Motorhome Discussions 17 10-25-2019 08:49 AM
Help!!!! No power to certain GFCI outlets Cyanne Class A Motorhome Discussions 31 11-24-2018 11:47 AM
Vibration / shudder at various speeds westernjayco Class C Motorhome Discussions 7 07-29-2012 04:59 PM
Quake in California now near certain apackof2 Just Conversation 24 08-02-2008 11:00 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:30 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.