2nd Gear Vibration

[LWINGATE]

Has anyone ever had a problem where you can feel a slight shudder when you start to apply power in 2nd gear? It only happens in 2nd, the dealer put an angular lift in the rear springs per Chrysler to change the angle of the driveshaft to the rear end. I still have the problem, its more of an anoyance than anything. The truck is a 2001 1 Ton HO with the 6 speed and no mods done to the vehicle yet.

 

[rspinks]

Just bringin' your message to the top, welcome to the TDR. What is the "angular lift" you refer to? Did they put in a wedge plate to change the rear driveshaft-to-pinion angle? Interesting they would do this on a stock truck.



My '01 2500 has a very slight "clunk" when I upshift in lower gears and it feels like it's really easy to wrap the axle on the rear springs. Axle hop is really bad in deep snow and sand, etc. I need to check all mounting bolts in the rear suspension, especially the nuts on the u-bolts.

 

[rubberneck]

I had the exact same problem when new, I installed ladder bars and it fixed the problem which leads me to believe it is axle wrap. Have somebody get in your truck and take off in 2nd gear. Watch the rear axle, you will be amazed at how much it twists. they dont even have to take off very hard to see it.

 

[LWINGATE]

The dealer installed a shim pack to change the angle, per the Chrysler hotline. I will check tomorrow for the twist when taking off in 2nd gear. If that's the cause, thats pretty incredible. Where did you get the ladder bars and what is their total purpose?Thanks for the info guys and I'll let you know how it looks tomorrow. By the way the truck has a rear stabilizer on it as part of the tow package if that makes a difference.

 

[rubberneck]

The purpose of the ladder bars is to stop the axle wrap as described above. When you launch the truck real hard (drag racing or burn out. ) the axle wrap will tend to lead to wheel hop. the bars help to eliminate it. Most tractor pullers run them also as it helps get the power to the ground without creating hop which is very hard on parts. I put them on at first because i got real bad wheel hop when off road in the sand or snow. one nice side effect was the everyday ride. I was amazed at how much better my truck drove, it just seems to feel more solid out back, hard to describe. My bars are home made, but are basically rip offs of Steve St. Laurents bars. do a search on the forums under ladder bars, you will find lots of info. . Other companies are fabritec, L&L, and rancho off the top of my head

 

[LWINGATE]

Thanks for the info. I just had the wife take off with the truck in 2nd, didn't see anything out of the ordinary. I had her do it enough times that the garbage man thought I was a dog chasing the truck. I will try and find some info on the bars though, thanks again.

 

[rspinks]

You probably confused the garbageman by barking and biting at the tires. I wish DC would get rid of the flat spring & lift block design. A spring with more arch and no lift block would be much less prone to axlewrap.