Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) anybody ever try this?

[bighammer]

My 99 2500 ex cab has a one piece shaft and has had this shudder for 220 k miles and has had 2 new clutches (one NAPA china chincy and one southbend) and still has shudder, I think that spring wrap up might be the answer but my wife will not lay down under the truck and watch as I am backing the truck up and I also won't do this when she is trying to back up the truck. How do I diagnose this problem??

gtwitch in wyoming

Smart for both of you. I would guess it would be tough to see and the potential of getting run over isn't worth it. Find a test spot out of traffic where you know you have shudder and try one or both of the following crazy ideas that went thru my brain:

GoPro (and similar other model) cameras seem to keep improving in quality and mounting options. I would guess if you could borrow one and and mount it with a decent flashlight to the underside, you'd get an idea what's up.

I'd guess your 99 has the tall spring blocks and pulling on the axle would pre-load the spring, reducing wrap-up and give you the feeling of what traction bars would do for you. You could try a heavy duty cargo ratchet strap from the frame (under middle or rear of cab) to your rear axle one each side and cinch 'em up a bit, making sure there is no pinching, binding or bending of any wiring or brake lines.

 

[Wayne M.]

I had a '81 D350 Dually that I chased down driveline vibrations with. I wound up getting a new front shaft because it came apart like a soda can during a heavy pull, and all my problems were gone. Shaft phasing, twist, and joint angles, as well as a tight joint here or there will cause the bad buzz. I think the vibration is easier to solve than the hop issue. Thank GOD my '04 has been real good in that regard. However, if I slip the clutch in reverse with too much throttle, I will set up a rhythm buck that will only go away if I declutch, and try again with less throttle. I know that once it starts, it will just get worse.
BTW, I wound up over here looking for bedroom advice with how the title sounds :-laf

 

[SAndreasen]

I had a '81 D350 Dually that I chased down driveline vibrations with. I wound up getting a new front shaft because it came apart like a soda can during a heavy pull, and all my problems were gone. Shaft phasing, twist, and joint angles, as well as a tight joint here or there will cause the bad buzz. I think the vibration is easier to solve than the hop issue. Thank GOD my '04 has been real good in that regard. However, if I slip the clutch in reverse with too much throttle, I will set up a rhythm buck that will only go away if I declutch, and try again with less throttle. I know that once it starts, it will just get worse.
BTW, I wound up over here looking for bedroom advice with how the title sounds :-laf

Bedroom advice that's funny . All the u joints have been replaced as well as the driveline but possibly not the yokes I think I might go to a one piece shaft when a little extra money shows up .

 

[Stranger]

My truck is NOT 4WD . This shudder/bucking, happens when backing and sometimes when starting in heavy traffic. Only with the Fifth wheel (heavy) attached. No, I do not start in 2. When towing 1. Empty then I'll use 2.
Clutch is fairly new, maybe 1800 miles. Truck doesn't have 70K on it either.

 

[Stranger]

OOPS Double post.

 

[SAndreasen]

So I tried 3/8 of shims on the carrier bearing and it made it back to the way it was originally so I'm going to pull one back out I also made the shim longer with holes for the bolts to hold them in place .

 

[gtwitch]

The Go Pro camera sounds like a good idea and I have a couple of friends with them and I might try to borrow one to try! I'll let us know when I try this!! I have no vibration but only shudder on start up with load or trailer and really pronounced in reverse and I have the 4x4 vaccum lockout now for years and use it in trailer moving chores. Still think axle wrap up is culprit!

gtwitch in wyoming