vibration around 70 mph

[TMutziger]

As long as I've owned my truck, its had a noticeable vibration that starts above 65, gets worse up to about 75, then all but disappears above 80 mph. I've tried everything, wheels balanced, replaced u-joints. Nothing has helped. Read an old thread on here about someone else with the exact same pickup and vibration and he traced it down to the bearings/bushings in the output tailhousing of the transfer case. I checked mine the other day and it does seem that there is some play in where my rear driveshaft slides into the transfer case. Is some play acceptable or should it be rock solid? I was thinking of replacing the the complete tailpiece so I don't have to disassemble it to press bearings out unless this isn't to difficult or requires special tools. Also, anyone have a good source for this? I've checked a couple places and can't seem to find anything.

 

[rscurtis]

Remove the front DS and see what happens. It might be time for another Dynatrac purchase.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I wish you luck. I've had a vibe at 39-41 mph that I've been chasing for years.

 

[TMutziger]

I've already been driving with the front shaft off for 2 months now because a u-joint was out on the double cardan. The vibration isn't as bad with it off, but still very noticeableat 68-74mph. Also, it seems to intensify for a second or two right after I let off the throttle. Going to have both shafts balanced once I get around to fixing the front one. There is definitely some play where the rear shaft slides into the tailhousing of the transfer case. I need to crawl under someone else's to see how solid theirs is compared to mine. I really think this is the source of my troubles. I just don't know much about transfer cases or tearing into one.

 

[rscurtis]

I haven't had to do it, but I understand it's a simple repair. I have a similar slight vibration right at 2000 RPM, but it's not enough to worry about- yet. If I were you, I'd find a DS shop with a high speed balancer, and have your shaft run to see if it's really the problem.

 

[NIsaacs]

Is it possible that it is not drive train related? Maybe engine or flexplate. Does it vibrate in park when you rev the engine up. Do it real slow all the way to redline and see.



Nick

 

[rscurtis]

I can't speak for TMutziger, but mine runs as smooth as glass, like an electric motor.

 

[TMutziger]

It does not vibrate in park or neutral. Only while going down the road. I will have both shafts balanced as soon as possible. Just waitin on parts to rebuild the front shaft.

 

[CCahill]

My vibration is from 62-66... . had wheels rebalanced, tried different wheel set, I can feel it in my seat, and steering wheel... feels like a tire outa balance but I know that's not it... . been like this forever!!!

 

[Prairie Dog]

I've given up trying to find the little nagging vibe I have. What ever it is will have to break or wear out I guess. Or maybe I'll find it by accident like a Ford F53 guy I read about that had a brake job done and after replacing the front rotors had a pesky vibe disappear.

 

[TMutziger]

I just don't want the transfer case to fly apart on me 300 miles from home because of it. I've read some horror stories of guys ignoring those little vibrations only to have something break (like the transfer case) and cause thousands of dollars in extra damage. Probably just being paranoid but I'm going on a week long 1500 mile round trip with the family and 30' fifth wheel in tow. Trying to avoid as much headache as possible.

 

[Tubber]

Is it possible that it is not drive train related? Maybe engine or flexplate. Does it vibrate in park when you rev the engine up. Do it real slow all the way to redline and see.



Nick

First post here. I was researching a vibration issue I've got and located this thread. This light vibration described above is the same I have, and mine occurs while in neutral, and gradually increasing the rpm's. Seems the worst at 2000 rpm, less on either side of this mark. Also occurs at highways speeds around 2000 rpm as well. I have a 2005 2500 48re, 180,000 km, no mod's, tires have less than 5000 km on them.



Thanks

 

[blacksheepdiesel]

Bought my '06 with 533,xxx miles on it, had a vibration at 65 mph, right where I run most of the time. Had tires balanced, drive shaft balanced, upgraded to 6. 7 fluid damper, all to no avail. I could put the trans in neutral while sitting still and rev it and got the same vibration. Eventually put in reman injectors and the vibration completely disappeared. The PO had replaced 2 or 3 injectors but the others were original.

Godspeed,
Trent

 

[Tubber]

Thanks Trent for your advice. Its a very slight vibration, but seems to "drone" while on the highway, and that gets pretty annoying after driving a few hours. I bought the truck at 140,000 km and its always done this.

So, I should take it to a reputable diesel mechanic, have them pull the injectors and have them each tested?

I'll research what the fluid damper is, I'm not sure how that works or how its operation effects the engine vibrations.

Any other possibilities?

Thanks

Blaine

 

[RVTRKN]

My 04. 5 had the same vibration, and under warranty Dodge just elected to replace entire rear drive shaft. The front drive shaft had just lost a U-joint on the road and I had a recommended Drive line shop by TDR member MMeier repair it. So that eliminated the front shaft, when the rear was replaced under warranty, vibration disappeared. Sold truck to my brother that has put 70K miles on it since with no problems.

 

[cerberusiam]

So, I should take it to a reputable diesel mechanic, have them pull the injectors and have them each tested?

That is likely going to cost you several hundred dollars to test and usualy no change. Checking the balance requires some very specific machinery, and more important, expereince to do it correctly. Exergy is about the only place I have heard of that the results are consistent. These CR injectors are not easy to setup correctly and may be the surce of the problem, or not.

I still have a slight buzz at 68-75 but massively reduced after 1 piece drive shaft and new brake rotors. I think next step is a 6. 7 viscous damper to see if that helps. The vibration on mine seems very temp dependent. The warmer it gets the more it disappears.

 

[Moe]

I too chased a vibration which turned out to be the harmonic balancer. Put a new stock one on and cleared the problem. Moe

 

[Shamp]

Do short bed trucks have a carrier bearing on the driveshaft.

 

[SierraRam]

Do short bed trucks have a carrier bearing on the driveshaft.

Only Megacab's do, QC does not.

 

[Tubber]

I too chased a vibration which turned out to be the harmonic balancer. Put a new stock one on and cleared the problem. Moe

Thanks everyone for your input.

After some reading, I think it might be the harmonic balancer that is the issue. I'll have a look at it and see if its wearing. Makes sense that it is this part if it vibrates in both neutral and driving situations. Is there a thread somewhere that shows how to remove and reinstall?

I've already had the driveline looked at previously for this vibration, and one or more of the u-joints have been replaced iirc.

Blaine