06 FEH, Vibration at 15mph Only...

  #1  
Old 02-02-2012, 07:29 AM
EOppie's Avatar
HEV's are your friend
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Celebration, Florida
Posts: 136
Default 06 FEH, Vibration at 15mph Only...

Hey Experts!

I have a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD with just over 166k miles.

Recently, the car vibrates at 15mph upon accelerating. It only does this when accelerating, not if I hold the car speed at 15mph.

Car has new tires, new alignment, and both have been checked by two different shops. Mechanic today said U-Joint looks solid, axles look good, all motor mounts intact. Nothing seems loose.

Mechanic is baffled, the best he can describe it as is a clutch shudder. Only problem is the vehicle has no clutch.

Any ideas?
 

Last edited by EOppie; 02-02-2012 at 01:19 PM. Reason: Add mechanic updates
  #2  
Old 02-02-2012, 01:55 PM
travelover's Avatar
Feral Engineer
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Detroit Area
Posts: 496
Default Re: 06 FEH, Vibration at 15mph Only...

I would suspect CV joints.
 
  #3  
Old 02-02-2012, 01:58 PM
EOppie's Avatar
HEV's are your friend
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Celebration, Florida
Posts: 136
Default Re: 06 FEH, Vibration at 15mph Only...

Originally Posted by travelover
I would suspect CV joints.
So did the mechanic, he checked them out, said they look fine.
 
  #4  
Old 02-02-2012, 03:03 PM
wwest's Avatar
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Beautiful Pacific NW
Posts: 1,678
Default Re: 06 FEH, Vibration at 15mph Only...

Originally Posted by EOppie
Hey Experts!

I have a 2006 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD with just over 166k miles.

Recently, the car vibrates at 15mph upon accelerating. It only does this when accelerating, not if I hold the car speed at 15mph.

Car has new tires, new alignment, and both have been checked by two different shops. Mechanic today said U-Joint looks solid, axles look good, all motor mounts intact. Nothing seems loose.

Mechanic is baffled, the best he can describe it as is a clutch shudder. Only problem is the vehicle has no clutch.

Any ideas?
Oh, but you DO have a clutch...

The electromagnetically actuated clutch mounted in the front of the rear diff'l case. Remove the fuse that powers that rear drive engagement clutch and see if that reduces the vibration.

The rear drive clutch is only engaged, normally, under acceleration below ~20MPH. It is also engaged in tight low speed turns and/or accelerating low speed turning.

depending on the level/rate of acceleration, 15 MPH just might be the "time" the clutch is being disengaged.

166,000 miles is a lot for ANY clutch.

Also, have your mechanic check the condition of the PTO lubricant. Overheating and failing PTO's have been problematic for the FEH.

Oh, also make darn sure the properly inflated tire circumference is roughly the same, +/- 2-3%, all around.
 

Last edited by wwest; 02-02-2012 at 03:06 PM.
  #5  
Old 02-02-2012, 03:28 PM
EOppie's Avatar
HEV's are your friend
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Celebration, Florida
Posts: 136
Default Re: 06 FEH, Vibration at 15mph Only...

Genius!

Thank you wwest, I am headed out to find out which fuse to pull, and I am going to check it right now :-)

Update: Any idea on which fuse it is?

Is it the Transaxle Control Module? Or should I be pulling the ones for the 4x4?
 

Last edited by EOppie; 02-02-2012 at 03:34 PM.
  #6  
Old 02-02-2012, 04:40 PM
wwest's Avatar
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Beautiful Pacific NW
Posts: 1,678
Default Re: 06 FEH, Vibration at 15mph Only...

If there is a fuse unique to the rear clutch that would be the one I would pull.

Most certainly NOT for the transaxle control module.
 
  #7  
Old 07-05-2012, 07:27 AM
EOppie's Avatar
HEV's are your friend
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Celebration, Florida
Posts: 136
Default Re: 06 FEH, Vibration at 15mph UPDATE

Well, the vibration got worse and took the FEH back into the shop. The mechanic now believes it is the Center Support Bearing, which when on the rack, vibrates upon acceleration, and then smooths out when at higher speed.

He called around to try to find only the bearing, and was not able to. The replacement would be an entire driveshaft, and he estimates the job at $932.00.

Does this diagnosis sound reasonable to the minds here?
 
  #8  
Old 07-05-2012, 07:51 AM
wwest's Avatar
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Beautiful Pacific NW
Posts: 1,678
Default Re: 06 FEH, Vibration at 15mph Only...

no.
 
  #9  
Old 07-05-2012, 07:53 AM
wwest's Avatar
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Beautiful Pacific NW
Posts: 1,678
Default Re: 06 FEH, Vibration at 15mph Only...

New U-joint, with new U-joint bearings should be readily available at any aftermarket parts shop.
 
  #10  
Old 07-05-2012, 07:53 AM
EOppie's Avatar
HEV's are your friend
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Celebration, Florida
Posts: 136
Default Re: 06 FEH, Vibration at 15mph Only...

Originally Posted by wwest
no.
Just no?

I am assuming you are still thinking it is the rear clutch?
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: 06 FEH, Vibration at 15mph Only...


Contact Us -

  • Your Privacy Choices
  • Manage Preferences
  • Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

    When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

    © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands


    All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:33 PM.