Bad vibration

[CToney]

My 2005 3500 DRW with Hydradec bale deck has a bad vibration under load that starts at 50 mph and gets worse up to 70 mph. I hit a bad pothole at highway speed with my stock trailer with 3 horses back in May. One wheel stud broke and the rest of the wheel nuts came loose. The wheels fell off and wrecked wheels, tires, studs, brakes etc. I had it fixed but it's had this vibration since. My centramatic wheel balancer fell off as well. I replaced it and my clutch trying to chase down the problem. I'm not sure what could be wrong. Vibrating seems to be from rear end. Thanks Chuck

 

[sag2]

OK, since it started to vibrate after the repair, the damage and repair would be the cause. You need to check the run out of the rear hub pilot for the wheel. Then have the wheels and tires balanced off the truck to eliminate them as source. If you hit something hard enough to do that much damage I would also check for bent axle tube.

 

[CToney]

I guess I should add some more info. The vibration goes away if the driveline is unloaded. When no throttle is applied it will go away. Usually it is at higher speeds but yesterday I was towing and going up a decent hill at a slower speed and when I applied the throttle I had vibration. It seems to be getting worse.

 

[CToney]

I figured out the cause of my vibration. It was the steady bearing. I had asked a couple mechanics to check it and change it if necessary as it didn't look so great but they didn't. With a new bearing it is back to normal.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I figured out the cause of my vibration. It was the steady bearing. I had asked a couple mechanics to check it and change it if necessary as it didn't look so great but they didn't. With a new bearing it is back to normal.

Thanks for getting back to us.
Is that the drive shaft carrier bearing - haven't the term "steady bearing" that term before.

I chased a vibe for years. Had other shops look at it but everything was tight.
Finally I replaced the FR wheel bearings and it disappeared. Wierd because there was nothing loose about them when the vibe first started many years ago..

Scott

 

[CToney]

Yes the driveshaft carrier bearing. Steady bearing might be a Saskatchewan farmer term.

On a side note I bought a 2005 3500 SRW truck for parts. No trans but a bad engine that was in a rollover. It is very handy having a parts vehicle when you run a couple higher milage trucks. The little things can sure add up. Just stole the steering box the other day and the horn. Can't have a ram without horns!

 

[SSage]

The two piece drive shaft vibrates on my 2003, I think a new drive shaft is the way to go, one piece. Less moving parts for sure. Those center support carrier bearings don't last, the rubber shrinks quicker than you think. I hope I can just eliminate the two piece set up, I need to save up the funds or just replace the OEM parts. Its about triple for a one piece verses the replacement parts. Its a pain too messing with the press on center support, one piece shaft is easy to install.