05 Vibration from rear

[sag2]

TPappas

It makes me angry when dealership people do not do what they should, and take the easy way out for them. It certainly isn't the customers responsibility to point these things out, but it sounds like you like the truck and as with most every customer, just want it fixed the first time.

I've fixed a few of these trucks and it is not always easy (fast) but if you spend the time you can get them smooth most of the time. The problem seems to be when they just start replacing parts, and the customer just keeps getting more tuned into the problem. After you finally fix it, the customer is still not very happy.

You also have part of the blame for knowing about the problem before purchase and not taking an adequate test drive. I did that once in 1988 on a boat, and sold it the next year because I hated it. Believe me, I never made that mistake again!

And taking the nice approach will get you farther in the long run. I have also found that out from both sides of the fence. I hate attorneys and would only use one as a last resort. Under CA law, you really have no need for one. All they do is cost us all money in the long run. All manufacturers have to live by the same laws, and when an attorney is used it just raised the cost to all buyers, because in the end, the consumer pays for everything.

Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

 

[TPappas]

Thanks for the info sag2. You are right it si my fault to begin with, but I thought I did the right thing by driving it as the right speeds. Unfortunately I did not know what it felt like and all I felt was the bumps of the expansion joint freeway. It won't happem again I'll tell you that right now.



I read Ca's lemon law through in deatil. I understand that I do not need an attorney, but the dealership has already lied to me about the law. They have told me I need to go through their arbitration people before a buy back will even be considered, which is a lie. The arbitration people are in place to wear the customer out and hope they will go away or just trade the truck in for one that doesn't vibrate.



I also have a cousin who owns a Dodge dealership in Seattle. I talked about this with him in length and he told me that when the customer pushes long enough the outcome will favor the customer but will take over one year to get done, because of all the steps that DC has in place to prolong, in an attempt to make the customer go away.



He said if you want it done fast use an attorney. When DC knows the outcome will be the same anyway, they will not screw with the attorney because it looks bad for them to do that because the attorneys have thorough records plus know what the MFG can and can't do to begin with.



My dealership, who is supposed to be the biggest truck dealership in So Cal, is screwiung with me like I said above, I have every reason to believe I will continue to be screwed with on this issue. I will not let that happen. The truck will be fixed or I will be driving a new one without this problem.

 

[TPappas]

Well I went and picked up my truck. The vibration is still there, no change at all which is no surprise because they didn't do anything to it. The service writer did not write anything on my receipt ticket about not being able to go any farther on a test drive to find a non expansion joint freeway to check for the vibration and that I should try another dealer.



I spoke to the service manager and explained my problem. He said the service writer told me that because their insurance will not cover them driving my truck at any distance over three miles from the dealership, and he also suggested I take it to another dealership to have the problem looked at.



I told him I would take him or any other service person for a ride, with me driving so they would not have to worry about insurance, and he said he could not authorize that.



I asked him to write this exact thing on the receipt before I took my truck away, then he told me I would have to come back on Monday for that to be done. He said he was too busy to do that for me right now, even though when I was introduced to him by a different employee he was leaned back in a chair reading the newspaper. Hmmmm.



He finally agreed that it is not fair to tell me that but refuse to write it on the service order receipt. He actually wrote on the order "customer should go to a different dealer which is closer to a smooth highway so they can duplicate the problem which is occurring. " I asked him to write why they can't go with me on a test drive which would supposedly be ouitside their insured area, and he said I am not doing it over again.



I said thank you, got my keys and drove away.

 

[DPKetchum]

What a jerk. The 3 mile stuff is bull. Always get a receipt of ALL work warranty or not with FULL explanations ALWAYS. . He/They just DID not want to be brothered. You could go to the local newspaper and run a add asking IF anyone thinking they had UNFAIR treatment at so so dealer service dept respond to P. O. box XXX. I did this once on a local business and got NOT one reply! BUT the OWNER of said business was FLOORED and did everthing but offer me his oldest daughter for the weekend. Pleaded I run a retraction. I did once HE setteled the issue ,AND its legal. Ran that add TWO weeks for $18. 00. Best money I ever spent. The owner of said business ATTORNEY actually on the side smiled and said he TOLD THEM to just take care of me as there was NOTHING he could do. I think HE thought THEY deserved it.

 

[DMcAnulty]

10-27-2005 UPDATE on the vibration issue:



Three weeks ago, I filed a Lemon Law complaint with the TXDOT agency in Austin, TX. Today, I got a call from the Dodge Rep who, up to now, had filed to ever respond to my requests to speak with him. He told me he wants me to bring the truck to the first dealer that I tried to get to look at my truck so he can have a "factory specialist" of some kind look at it. I have an appointment on Nov 2nd, 2005 to bring the truck in.

I asked the DC Rep if he'd heard anything about the vibration problem. His response was, "I hear about problems every day, such as 'why my Hemi won't get 35 mpg'. " I told him I had learned of a number of people who have the same issue and that DC has bought back a number of them. He acted like he didn't know what I was talking about. I told him I would meet the specialist at the dealership on 11-02-2005. He replied, "He's not there to meet you; he's there to check your truck. "



The DC Rep was somewhat rude and obviously irritated that he had to call me. My question is why did it take my filing a Lemon Law complaint to get a call from this guy? The Rep also stated that all these trucks make a noise like this and it is normal. I responded that was not true; many trucks don't and apparently the 2006 Ram's don't do it. Also, why would DC be buying them back. I got no response from him.



We ended with me restating my position that if after checking the truck out, DC's position is still "it's a normal characteristic of the truck", then I will be at the Lemon Law complaint hearing to try and get a buy back.....

 

[Mike B.]

Who knows why they do what they do. .



The "factor specialist" is the one you want on your side so be nice. I can't hurt to leave a copy or two of the TDR on the seat when he takes your truck for a test drive.

If nothing else he should know that you're not a shmuck with out any real information.

 

[DMcAnulty]

Mike B.

From how the DC Rep talked, I'm not supposed to even see the specialist, I'm just to have my truck there for him to examine. I will try to talk to him, however, because I ought to be able to explain to him what is happening. I'm not sure what DC is trying to do at this point but I'm suspicious of their tactics since I've now taken my complaint to a new level via the LL filing. Since this has become a legal issue, I'm inclined to tell them I want to be present when they examine the truck.

 

[Mike B.]

I know I would.

 

[DRenchjr]

Could you take a picture of it, I'd like to see what it looks like. The drive-shaft re-balancing had absolutly no effect on the DRONE vibration.



Dealer called Dodge and said "Thats the way they are". Even he didn't believe the answer. Service Tech. went for a drive with my truck and couldn<t believe the noise it was making.



You would know if you had the vibe, mine is really pronounced ay 119-120 kmh (71-72 mph)

I hadn't forgotten about this, just didn't have a digital camera. Got one now , I'll get a shot of it tomorrow.

 

[DMcAnulty]

11-03-2005 Vibe update:

After filing a Lemon Law complaint regarding my 2005 CTD, 4 X 4, 48re, LWB/SRW truck, I finally got a call from the DC Rep requesting I bring the truck to a dealership so a Dodge Specialist mechanic could examine it. I took it there and dropped it off Monday night for the inspection on 11/02/2005. I called the Dealership the next afternoon and was told they needed to keep the truck overnight so they could "try something that might improve the noise it is making". The Service Manager said he did not know what was going to be done but that the Specialist had left instructions of what to do.



I got a call today from the DC Regional Rep who had set up the inspection. He told me that the inspection of the truck was complete and there was nothing wrong with it. I asked him about what the Service Manager told me regarding needing to keep the truck and do something to improve the noise. The Rep said they tried to use a "Gates Clamp" to modify the sound but it didn't work. He again tried to convince me that the noise is a normal sound "due to this being a heavy duty truck. "



I pointed out to him that the the Service Manager had told me that he was familiar with the type of noise my truck is making and he seen several of them come in due to the same complaint. So far, they have been unable to remove the noise or determine what is making it. The Service Manager also said that DC allows for a certain amount of "run-out" (meaning wobble) in the drive shafts and if a drive shaft is within that tolerance, even if it causes a noise, he can't do anything about it.



I asked the DC Rep why it took my filing a Lemon Law complaint to get him to even call me back after I had repeatedly left messages for him to contact me, per the selling dealer's instructions in September. The Rep replied, "Because there's nothing wrong with your truck. " I tried to remain courteous but firm with him despite his being sarcastic and trying to insult my intelligence.



I told him that I disagreed with him and have spoken with enough people who have had the same experience with their trucks to know this is not normal. He then told me that the noise I am hearing is coming from the engine when it reaches a certain RPM. If that was where the noise was coming from, why would he try to put Gates Clamps on the driveshaft?



I politely asked whether Dodge would agree to either buy back the truck or replace it with one that does not vibrate at 70 mph. He stated, "No, because there's nothing wrong with your truck. " I told him I disagreed with then advised him I would continue with the Lemon Law complaint process and request a hearing.



This was my second conversation with this particular DC Rep. In both conversations, he was less than professional with me, talked down to me, was evasive anytime I asked him if he was familiar with my type of complaint. I found him to be condescending, rude, and bothered by having to deal with my complaint.



It's seems this is DC's frontline of defense when confronted over their driveline vibration issue. The Service Manager at the dealership today was polite and professional in all the conversations we had. He knows exactly why this noise is occurring but is obviously hamstrung by DC from trying to replace parts that might remove the noise.



What a sad commentary on Dodge's manufacturing process: Mass-produce parts with liberal tolerances and then claim the problem it creates is "normal". It may be "normal" for DC but its unacceptable for consumers spending $35-$45K for a truck.



Will keep the thread updated... ... ... ... .

 

[DMcAnulty]

VIBE Update postscript:



I forgot to mention that despite the DC Rep trying to convince me that the noise is "normal" I noticed the Specialist drove the truck 103 miles while it was at the shop and used a 1/4 tank of diesel fuel. Why would you drive 103 miles if it was a simple matter of being a "normal" noise?

 

[Mike B.]

I'd say they put a bunch of miles on it while it was up on the lift. They tried the hose clamp trick on my also. All they were able to do is move the vibe to a higher or lower speed. Most of this testing was done with the truck on the lift in four wheel drive with the tech under the truck. I had visions of my truck shaking of the lift with all four wheels turning highway speeds.



I would imagine that it's public record how many trucks DC has had to buy back for this problem. Not that I have the time to find out but I would love to know what that number is.





BTW: I think you made a mistake by leaving the truck. I would've camped out and waited to the DC guy to show up.





Mike





As for the vibe coming from the engine, some of it does. The problem is that vibe isn't the one you are having a problem with. Try this. Get the truck up to the speed where the vibe is really humming. Put the transmission in Neutral and keep the engine turning the same RPM. The vibe will go away even though the RPM stayed the same. That was almost the first thing the tech did when he was working on my 05.

 

[DMcAnulty]

Vibe

Mike B:

I had already done the thing you suggested. Take to 70+ and put it in neutral. The vibe goes away immediately. This is obviously a drive-train issue. I got the name of the Specialist who examined the truck even though I didn't see him. After talking with the DC Regional Rep, they are probably on the same part-line anyway and they are just going through the motions of looking at it so they can claim its a "normal" sound.



As far as the 103 miles, that seems like a pretty big number even on a rack. Either way, if the noise is "normal" it shouldn't take that long to make that determination. Their attempts to put clamps on to balance the shaft is in conflict with their belief that this is an engine harmonic sound.



I have heard from TXDOT and hope to have them set up a meeting of all the parties involved within two weeks time. I will ask them how many Dodge 3500 buy-backs there have been in Texas due to this complaint. I don't know if they know how many others there have been outside of Texas.

 

[DPKetchum]

Neighbors did not vibrate but made this bad/roar/drone noise at 65/68 mph. Tried driveshafts etc. "I" suggested the launch/shudder TSB cause it changes the driveline angels. Anyhow with gooseneck trailer hooked up his was on the boarderline of being out of specs on the high side. Ordered the TSB shims and added to the middle of the specs. It STOPPED the noise at 65/68 mph and moved it to up above 72 mpg. He tows at 65/68. BUT it DID sometthing in changing the noise!

 

[Wdoucet]

Follow up: In Canada we don't have the Lemon Law but it's close neighbor (pun intended) called CAMVAP (Canadian Motor Vehicle Arbitration Plan). This is the route I took and to make a VERY, VERY long story short, I got the Buy Back from DC and am now driving an 06 MANUAL CTD.



If anybody thinks there getting a deal by buying an 05, I strongly suggest that they first go for a 70mph test drive, and drive the truck at night (the 06 light are so much brighter than the 05), and the 06 is even quieter than the other.



Now all I have left to do is remember how to change my signature.

 

[JMeyett]

11-03-2005 Vibe update:

After filing a Lemon Law complaint regarding my 2005 CTD, 4 X 4, 48re, LWB/SRW truck, I finally got a call from the DC Rep requesting I bring the truck to a dealership so a Dodge Specialist mechanic could examine it. I took it there and dropped it off Monday night for the inspection on 11/02/2005. I called the Dealership the next afternoon and was told they needed to keep the truck overnight so they could "try something that might improve the noise it is making". The Service Manager said he did not know what was going to be done but that the Specialist had left instructions of what to do.



I got a call today from the DC Regional Rep who had set up the inspection. He told me that the inspection of the truck was complete and there was nothing wrong with it. I asked him about what the Service Manager told me regarding needing to keep the truck and do something to improve the noise. The Rep said they tried to use a "Gates Clamp" to modify the sound but it didn't work. He again tried to convince me that the noise is a normal sound "due to this being a heavy duty truck. "



I pointed out to him that the the Service Manager had told me that he was familiar with the type of noise my truck is making and he seen several of them come in due to the same complaint. So far, they have been unable to remove the noise or determine what is making it. The Service Manager also said that DC allows for a certain amount of "run-out" (meaning wobble) in the drive shafts and if a drive shaft is within that tolerance, even if it causes a noise, he can't do anything about it.



I asked the DC Rep why it took my filing a Lemon Law complaint to get him to even call me back after I had repeatedly left messages for him to contact me, per the selling dealer's instructions in September. The Rep replied, "Because there's nothing wrong with your truck. " I tried to remain courteous but firm with him despite his being sarcastic and trying to insult my intelligence.



I told him that I disagreed with him and have spoken with enough people who have had the same experience with their trucks to know this is not normal. He then told me that the noise I am hearing is coming from the engine when it reaches a certain RPM. If that was where the noise was coming from, why would he try to put Gates Clamps on the driveshaft?



I politely asked whether Dodge would agree to either buy back the truck or replace it with one that does not vibrate at 70 mph. He stated, "No, because there's nothing wrong with your truck. " I told him I disagreed with then advised him I would continue with the Lemon Law complaint process and request a hearing.



This was my second conversation with this particular DC Rep. In both conversations, he was less than professional with me, talked down to me, was evasive anytime I asked him if he was familiar with my type of complaint. I found him to be condescending, rude, and bothered by having to deal with my complaint.



It's seems this is DC's frontline of defense when confronted over their driveline vibration issue. The Service Manager at the dealership today was polite and professional in all the conversations we had. He knows exactly why this noise is occurring but is obviously hamstrung by DC from trying to replace parts that might remove the noise.



What a sad commentary on Dodge's manufacturing process: Mass-produce parts with liberal tolerances and then claim the problem it creates is "normal". It may be "normal" for DC but its unacceptable for consumers spending $35-$45K for a truck.



Will keep the thread updated... ... ... ... .

Hello!

I have been through all of this. I found one thing that worked for me, on my 2004. 5 DTD. Take it to a Independent Driveline Specialist, no matter what the Dealer told you. Have them measure the Driveline Angles. Esp. the Rear Angles. Mine were way off, from the Factory @ 765 Miles. Had to Shime up the Rear Axle with Angle Shimes, and lower the Transfer Case about 1" by cutting and re-welding the Trans. Case Mount. 100% fix of the 'Problem' Drone and Vibration. Cost me abt. $320. 00 out of my Pocket. Better than screwing around with Dodge. The Bad Driive Angles are WHY so many U-Joints are getting tore up, at low Miles.



I think you will find this helpful. Before I went to the Independent Driveline place, I had been told all the same things you have been, by Dodge.