Shaking problem on Ford Windstar

FORD WINDSTAR
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VANHUDSON
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Hi, I have a question about my 1998 Windstar with 116,000 miles on it, 3.0L engine and a tranny replaced in 2000. I purchased it 8 months ago used and about two months ago I noticed a slight back-n-forth shaking of the van while it goes up hill. It sometimes was accompanied by a clapping sound from the back of the van. Last week the problem became very obvious and van shakes like this quite often on any speed whether going on flat road or uphill. The clapping sound from the back (probably from exhaust pipe) became more often and obvious, especially in uphill driving.

Can this be fixed with a tune up (plugs, wires, filters change) or is it a more serious problem?
Apr 2, 2007 at 9:02 PM
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RASMATAZ
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When was it last Tuned? Probably its overdue and can benefit from it.
Apr 2, 2007 at 10:33 PM
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2CARPRO JACK
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Any loss of performance? or is it just noisy? Have the rear tires looked at , sounds like you have one that may be coming apart (tread seperation)
Apr 3, 2007 at 8:12 AM
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VANHUDSON
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As far as I know only fuel filter has been changed little over one year ago. I did oil/oil filter change every 3,000. Tranny fluid changed every 30,000 since it replaced at 56,000. Tune up (park plugs and wires) hasn't been performed for at list 3 years or 32,000 miles (or more). All tires been bought new 2.5 years ago at about 85,000mls. Recently replaced alternator and drive belt tensioner.

About the performance: while the van makes a clapping sound from pipe and shakes back-n-forth it feels like it loosing horse power, it slowing down or hesitates to go uphill.
Apr 3, 2007 at 11:07 AM