Vibration / pulsation when towing

[vadergn]

I have a 2002 explorer XLT when I pull my 2 sled snowmobile trailer I get a heavy drown vibration throughout the vehicle and in the steering wheel. I had the tires replaced and bearings replaced on the trailer. I even had the drive shaft replaced on the vehicle and still the same problem. Anyone have this problem when pulling a trailer.

 

[swetrid]

pinion angle concern when towing, nothing you can do.

 

[IZwack]

pinion angle concern when towing, nothing you can do.

Its a 3rd gen, pinion angle movement is very small due to the fixed IRS.

I have a 2002 explorer XLT when I pull my 2 sled snowmobile trailer I get a heavy drown vibration throughout the vehicle and in the steering wheel. I had the tires replaced and bearings replaced on the trailer. I even had the drive shaft replaced on the vehicle and still the same problem. Anyone have this problem when pulling a trailer.

This is probably due to the 4wd coming on - perhaps due to the increased weight, the rear tires are compressed more and is being interpreted as a slip. You can remove the front driveshaft to test this theory. Also do a bit of searching because the premature engagement of 4wd due to a small change in tire diameter comes up every now and then.

 

[swetrid]

Everybody thinks that but the pinion angle always changes with ride height, believe me i deal with these problems every day (16 years as master ford tech).

 

[JDraper]

I used to notice that in my '01 Explorer too. Never did figure out exactly what it was. I though it might have been some sort of drivetrain harmonic that just cropped up because of the altered stress on the drivetrain.

 

[IZwack]

Everybody thinks that but the pinion angle always changes with ride height, believe me i deal with these problems every day (16 years as master ford tech).

Do tell.. I'm interested in learning how the pinion angle changes as a function of added vehicle weight in the IRS configuration.

 

[vadergn]

OK so what the fix i bought this explorer to pull my sleds but im shaking a part?

 

[JDraper]

Have you tried moving the sleds forward or backwards on the trailer or changing the ball height?

 

[swetrid]

What im talking about is relationship of pinion to driveshaft u joint angles. When you load rear of vehicle excessively the angles of u joints change, thus creating shuddering/vibrations. We see this pretty often in the dealership.

 

[waskly]

What im talking about is relationship of pinion to driveshaft u joint angles. When you load rear of vehicle excessively the angles of u joints change, thus creating shuddering/vibrations. We see this pretty often in the dealership.

considering the carrier, and trans are both bolted to the chassis, when loaded the pinion angle does not change on irs.

 

[vadergn]

My hitch is pretty straight so I purchased a 3" drop down to see if that will help and I will try to move the sleds back, they are all the way forward, its a covered trailer so I cant move then to far back or the clam shell wont close, thanks everyone great info if you have anymore ideas feel free to write, Thanks.

 

[JDraper]

How many miles are on your shocks?

 

[vadergn]

I believe the shocks are original springs are new. Would it help if a got a drop down hitch of 4" the one I have is 2"

 

[vadergn]

71K on the vehicle

 

[JDraper]

I believe the shocks are original springs are new. Would it help if a got a drop down hitch of 4" the one I have is 2"

The trailer should be sitting level behind the vehicle. If your trailer is nose high, you have the wrong drop.

71K on the vehicle

I'd put new shocks on it. That's a lot of miles for a factory set of shocks, especially if towing.

 

[vadergn]

Thanks

 

[vadergn]

Update: In a nutshell Im screwed, I tried another trailer and the Explorer shook all the way down the road. Does anyone have a fix for this?

 

[IZwack]

Did you remove the front driveshaft to test as suggested? Don't worry about the shock for now because even without shocks, there should be no grumbling from the drivetrain.

 

[vadergn]

No I didn’t I’m not that mechanically inclined for that type of job although you might be on with that as I do fell it coming from the front sort of. I don’t hear a grumble its a shaking pulsating feel and noise.

 

[TheOxman]

No I didn’t I’m not that mechanically inclined for that type of job although you might be on with that as I do fell it coming from the front sort of. I don’t hear a grumble its a shaking pulsating feel and noise.

I have the same issue whenever my 4wd is engaged (and it IS engaging on its own) and I'm trying to find a fix for it.

Try engaging your 4wd without a trailer and see if you have the same noise and vibration.