Need mechanic reccomendation for 2000 F250

[H-K]

A friend of mine has a 2000 Ford F250 with a 4" lift and she's experiencing some sort of drivetrain problems. I could make some guesses, but I'm no expert and can't tell for sure what it is by her description, but it involves some slippage/slopage and abrupt engagement from a stop (see her description below). I feel bad for her because she's been to a few different mechanics and/or "experts" who all disagree on what the problem is. One told her she needed a new tranny, another told her she needed a new ring/pinion, another said her tcase was shot...

She needs an honest, knowledgeable mechanic who will make the effort to really determine what the problem is. Any reccomendations would be appreciated.

I asked her to summarize the problem and here's the e-mail she sent:
When I stop there's a jerk in the rear end (no noise or clunk) and when I accelerate it does the same thing. Mechanic said that the drive line starts to engage and then stops and then grabs again to spin. You know that feeling when you have something in the bed of a truck and you stop and it slides forward to the front of the bed and hits it and then when you accelerate and it slides to the tail gate and hits again? That's almost the same feeling here only in the rear end. Hope that helps.

Here's what she's had done so far:
I Changed out the differential oils (front and back and both sets of spider gears looked perfect, no metal shavings, and oil was clear didn't need to be changed), changed out transfer case oil, changed out transmission oil and tranny filter, put on new carrier bearing and dropped it 1" for the lift.

 

[ALF]

The first problem would be that Blue oval on the grill but thats a differant post

I'd check the ujoints and have the dline rebuilt.

I don't know where you've sent it but we usually have at least one truck at LHM truckland and the mechanics seem pretty happy with them.

As for dline service Slyco has been great for us also.

Another side note we've replaced 5 trannies in our fords in the last month or so so good luck.

 

[H-K]

I don't know where you've sent it but we usually have at least one truck at LHM truckland and the mechanics seem pretty happy with them.

Yeah, good ol' Truckland. They handed over my buddy's F250 to him with the lugnuts on finger tight. When he went back later that day they tried to weasel out of it. I won't be sending anybody there, but thanks anyway.

 

[MattL]

Here is a simple check... Loook at the ubolts ant make sure they are tight. Maybe eben look and see if some of the springs have shifted as taht is a sign of loose ubolts.
Another is to have her drive away while your looking at the truck to see if you see anything odd.

 

[I Lean]

I had a "clunk" when I stopped before, but it wasn't as consistent as what her problem sounds like....but mine was the rear brake pads were having issues (delamination) and were chunking the pad off the backer.

Since they're disc brakes, that's an easy check. Otherwise, good luck to her.

 

[H-K]

Here is a simple check... Loook at the ubolts ant make sure they are tight. Maybe eben look and see if some of the springs have shifted as taht is a sign of loose ubolts.
Another is to have her drive away while your looking at the truck to see if you see anything odd.

yeah, suspension makes more sense to me (for the clunk when she comes to a stop), I'll do like you said and see if I can see the axle shifting forward/backward.

Any mechanics out there want take a look at it? I'm not trying to get her free help, just need to know a good mechanic who's worth the money.
I'd just send her to RL because I think they seem like good, knowledgeable guys, but I don't think they would want to be bothered with it since hay-haulin' rigs are not really their "thing".

 

[olywrestle]

My dad owns a shop on state street....
MasterTech
1717 S State

 

[81Ramchargerman]

My rc has the same sypmtoms, and it is a rear dline, too much play...

 

[DToy]

Might be something as simple as worn out shock bushings. My brother had some bad ones on his truck and it seemed to have a feel similar to what you are describing. I would recommend Wide Open Performance in Sandy. They've always been straight up with me.

 

[Jinx]

Might be something as simple as worn out shock bushings. My brother had some bad ones on his truck and it seemed to have a feel similar to what you are describing. I would recommend Wide Open Performance in Sandy. They've always been straight up with me.

I know wide open does a lot with lifted and other non-stock full size trucks, if you are in the south end of the valley i would take it to them... They are in Sandy...

 

[CoreyT]

I had Wide Open do the ball joints on my 2000 Ford PSD and they did a good job. Their price was exactly half of what LHM Truckland quoted me. Truckland screwed me when I bought my truck and have tried to screw me everytime I have had problems that should have been fixed under warranty, so I personally wouldn't take anything there again.

 

[MattL]

One more thing, if she has blocks for a lift, make sure they are not cracked. I had that once.

 

[81Ramchargerman]

Another thing, this is directed at all...I know the Rangers around that year have a slight clunk when you start and stop...and my understanding was that it is just the fluid in the rear diff...could it be something like that???

 

[mswasey]

Zane (owner) at Wide Open Performance 233-1111 is hands down, bar none, the best around. Give them a call, they will treat you right.

I know wide open does a lot with lifted and other non-stock full size trucks, if you are in the south end of the valley i would take it to them... They are in Sandy...

 

[suv]

Sounds like it may be the driveline slip yoke that's binding. The rear of the truck goes up under braking, and squats down a bit when it completely stops, causing the driveline to shorten. When she gives it gas, the rear will squat again and it will shorten some more. If the slip yoke is binding, it will make a clunk instead of sliding smoothly. I had this problem on an '87 Chevy truck, and just greasing the slip yoke fixed it.

 

[waynehartwig]

I would second the brake pad thing...

I would take a look at it for her at no cost. Not sure if you would want to bring it out to Pleasant Grove or not, but....

Also, Gary Madsen has a shop down on 3942 south 210 west. Gary is Bill's son. Bill was a top race car driver back in the 60's that my dad raced against and then pit bossed for after he retired from racing. Bill had a shop up on Highland drive for about 20 years. My dad taught Gary how to work on his first car. Now Gary is a top point holder in his modified. He also runs a Napa Car Care center.
http://www.madsenauto.com/

Gary runs the office, so chances are you would talk to him when you walk in the door. Tell him Wayne Hartwig sent you and tell him 'HI' for me.

 

[H-K]

I would second the brake pad thing...

I would take a look at it for her at no cost. Not sure if you would want to bring it out to Pleasant Grove or not, but....

Also, Gary Madsen has a shop down on 3942 south 210 west. Gary is Bill's son. Bill was a top race car driver back in the 60's that my dad raced against and then pit bossed for after he retired from racing. Bill had a shop up on Highland drive for about 20 years. My dad taught Gary how to work on his first car. Now Gary is a top point holder in his modified. He also runs a Napa Car Care center.
http://www.madsenauto.com/

Gary runs the office, so chances are you would talk to him when you walk in the door. Tell him Wayne Hartwig sent you and tell him 'HI' for me.

thanks to everybody for the input. I'm forwarding the info and references on to her.

 

[H-K]

Sounds like it may be the driveline slip yoke that's binding. The rear of the truck goes up under braking, and squats down a bit when it completely stops, causing the driveline to shorten. When she gives it gas, the rear will squat again and it will shorten some more. If the slip yoke is binding, it will make a clunk instead of sliding smoothly. I had this problem on an '87 Chevy truck, and just greasing the slip yoke fixed it.

Could this have something to do with the bracket/carrier bearing position? There is some question as to whether or not this was dropped to the proper degree when the lift was installed.

 

[Jeromy]

I will also throw in a recommendation to Wide open performance. They do great work!

Jer

 

[mbryson]

I would second the brake pad thing...

I would take a look at it for her at no cost. Not sure if you would want to bring it out to Pleasant Grove or not, but....

Also, Gary Madsen has a shop down on 3942 south 210 west. Gary is Bill's son. Bill was a top race car driver back in the 60's that my dad raced against and then pit bossed for after he retired from racing. Bill had a shop up on Highland drive for about 20 years. My dad taught Gary how to work on his first car. Now Gary is a top point holder in his modified. He also runs a Napa Car Care center.
http://www.madsenauto.com/

Gary runs the office, so chances are you would talk to him when you walk in the door. Tell him Wayne Hartwig sent you and tell him 'HI' for me.

Madsen is a straight kinda guy. He'll take good care of you.