do i need a counterweight??

[TarHeel085]

ever since i put in my 1354 and '96 front shaft i have had a pretty good vibration at about 50 MPH+ ive read or heard somewhere that with an automatic you need to have the counterweight on the back of the case. now i know its not particularly true to atuomatic transmissions as seen by this

thats from an '03 FX4 with a 1354 manual t-case and the 5 speed. so im thinkin that i need this counterweight to cure my vibration, cause it gets really annoying and makes my shifter smack my console. maybe i should get the dremel back out

 

[Doug]

If you're truck doesnt have the damper you're probably going to need it, every explorer i've seen has one on the t-case.

 

[IAmTodd]

Why does it need a counterweight? So that is what those round things are on the T/C and the axle?

 

[410Fortune]

hahahah okay a counterweight is used to balance a traction elevator.

those Weights are Dampers.
I removed both of mine, if you have driveline vibrations, install it and see if it helps. To me that is just masking the problem.

I took the one off my 8.8 axle and also the one on the T case. No vibrations, however I also have custom, balanced driveshafts, new motor mounts, and a Autofab tranny mount. No need to mask the real problem if you fix it the right way.

Driveline vibrations can wear and tear your mounts, shocks, u joints, pinion seals and bearings in nothing flat......

If it helps, use it, but I took mine off and never put them back on.. the lighter my truck the better........

 

[Albino 94LTD]

The dampers were an effort by Ford to minimize a design flaw where the vibration frequency of the drive train sets up a harmonic vibration in the frame rails. The dampeners were designed by Porsche but my vibration is the same with or without them.

Some newer Ex's have a transverse mounted shock absorber between the rear axel and the frame instead of the damper discs. This has had mixed results.

The last 'fix' from Ford was to replace the motor mounts with redesigned ones. I have copies of 2 service bulletins from Ford; 96-4-15 and 96-4-16 about that. Even that has had limited success estimated cost in excess of $1,000 parts and labor.

Too expensive for my pocket.

I am going to try installing some kind of diagonal cross-member between the frame rails to see if that will stop it.

 

[410Fortune]

I wonder if it is only the 4 door Explorer frame?

I am on my 3rd set of motor mounts with 258k miles on the truck. It takes an hour or two max to install them, loosen the tranny mount, loosen the exhaust hangers, you might have to pull the rad. if you fan comes too close, and jack up the enigne, pull old ones outm new one's in. I dint see $1000 for that......

Auto fab makes aftermarket mounts for the engine and trans.....far superior to the stock pieces..

 

[Albino 94LTD]

I wish I could do more work myself but the boat is in the garage and I'm lacking some tools.

I think I have seen posts about Sport's vibrating too.

A grand for Ford to do it is consistant with the $324/hub they want for new atuo-hubs vs the $200 it costs to switch to Warn's!

Someome else can make them better and cheaper if you can put them in youself.

 

[jrgaylor]

Was the vibration a problem with automatics only? 4DR? etc...

 

[Albino 94LTD]

Joe, both TSB's I have, 96-4-15 Light Truck 1993-94 Explorer and 96-4-16 Light truck 1991-92 Explorer, dated Feb 12 1996, are for 4 door explorers.

The service manager at Walkers Renton Mitsubishi asked a couple favors from a friend next door at Sound Ford to get those (my wife has a Galant and they have done good work, so I take the X there when it is something I can't do (bushings))

 

[jrgaylor]

can you scan those TSB's and email them to me?

 

[Trail Runner]

Article No.
96-4-16

VIBRATION - "AFTERSHAKE" - LESS THAN 72 KM/H (45 MPH) - WHEN DRIVING OVER A BUMP - 4-DOOR - WITHOUT ENGINE BLOCK HEATER
VIBRATION - SHAKE - ABOVE 80 KM/H (50 MPH) - ALL DRIVING MODES - SMOOTH ROAD OPERATION - 4-DOOR - WITHOUT ENGINE BLOCK HEATER

Publication Date: FEBRUARY 12, 1996

LIGHT TRUCK: 1991-92 EXPLORER


This TSB article is being republished in its entirety to delete a Policy Manual reference.

ISSUE:
A vibration/shake may be felt in the seat and/or floor at speeds above 80 km/h (50 mph) and peaking near 105 km/h (65 mph) on some vehicles. This condition is not rpm dependent and occurs at all driving modes, i.e., acceleration, cruise and deceleration. An "aftershake" condition may also exist when driving over a bump at speeds less than 72 km/h (45 mph). This condition may improve with tire balancing or tire exchange, but may not be completely eliminated. This may be caused by the movement frequency of the engine aligning with the tire rotation frequency causing the vibration/shake.

ACTION:
Confirm the vibration/shake condition occurs in all driving modes, including neutral coast. Install new design LH and RH engine mounts and rear axle-to-frame lateral shock absorber kit. Also, install a revised muffler tailpipe assembly. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

This procedure will NOT compensate for:

Out-of-round or out-of-balance tire/wheel assemblies
Vibration resulting from abnormal tire wear
Other tire/wheel quality or out-of-specification issues.
Wheel/tire assemblies may require service if the vehicle is not acceptable following the new engine mount and rear axle shock absorber installation. Refer to the Noise/Vibration/Harshness (NVH) Section of the appropriate year Explorer Service Manual for further details.

NOTE: THIS TSB ARTICLE DOES NOT APPLY TO VEHICLES WITH ENGINE BLOCK HEATERS. INADEQUATE CLEARANCE EXISTS FOR THE NEW ENGINE MOUNT INSTALLATION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH AN ENGINE BLOCK HEATER.



SERVICE PROCEDURE
Visually inspect the tires for abnormal/irregular wear patterns. If necessary, replace the tire(s) with original equipment type and size. Set tire pressure as specified on the certification label located on the left front door pillar.
Check the tire/wheel assembly for correct balance and repair as necessary.
If the vibration/shake condition still exists, install the new Engine Mount and Rear Axle Shock Absorber Kit (F67Z-6K007-AA) as per TSB Article 96-4-15 . Refer to the Instruction Sheets included with the kit for service details.
Remove the right rear tire/wheel assembly.
If vehicle has a resonator aft of the muffler (Figure 1, 1991-92 model years), use the following service repair procedure for replacing muffler tailpipe assembly.


Figure 1 - Article 96-4-16


NOTE: DO NOT REPLACE EXHAUST SYSTEM IF THE VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE A RESONATOR.



Hoist vehicle.
Remove muffler-to-catalyst attachment bolts.
Remove tailpipe hanger rod from insulator.
Remove muffler body hanger rods from insulators.
Remove muffler tailpipe assembly from vehicle.
Remove and replace gasket (E9TZ-5E241-A).
Install new muffler tailpipe assembly (F67Z-5230-BFA).
Insert muffler body hanger rods into insulators.
Insert tailpipe hanger rods into insulators.
Assemble muffler-to-catalyst torquing bolts to 40 N-m (30 lb-ft).
Lower vehicle on hoist.

PART NUMBER PART NAME
F67Z-6K007-AA Engine Mount And Rear Axle Shock Absorber Kit
E9TZ-5E241-A Gasket
F67Z-5230-BFA Muffler Tailpipe


OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES:
96-4-15

SUPERSEDES:
95-22-16

WARRANTY STATUS:
Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage For 1992 Model Year Vehicles, Basic Warranty Coverage For 1991 Model Year Vehicles

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME
960416A Replace Engine Mount Assemblies, Install Rear Axle Lateral Shock Absorber And Replace Muffler Assembly 3.4 Hrs.

DEALER CODING
BASIC PART NO. CONDITION CODE
6K007 79

OASIS CODES:
703000, 703200, 703300, 703400

 

[jrgaylor]

Thanks