Two problems related to universal joint have been reported for the 2004 Ford F-150. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Ford F-150 based on all problems reported for the 2004 F-150.
While driving 54 mph the truck vibrated. The vibration was so strong that the right passenger seat shook. The consumer used the truck to pull an open stock trailer. The problem was perceived as the universal joint was in too straight a line with the transmission. Ford lariat f150 2004.
While traveling a smooth stretch of highway the truck started to vibrate. This vibration intensified until the whole truck was shaking. After stopping at a traffic light the shuddering continued until I pulled off the highway and turned around in a parking lot to go back to a nearby Ford dealer. At this point it did not shake again. The Ford dealer service department checked the whole truck over the next day and could not find anything loose or damaged. The shuddering felt like a universal joint gone bad. There has been no repeat of this since the truck was new. There has been an ongoing shudder while making turns from a standstill. My local mechanic put an additive in the differential and this seems to have corrected the problem. I don't know if this may be related to the original vibration.