2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission dreaded drive line vibration

[FourBarR]

i have been fighting the drive line problem for sometime. did a search and read all the info i could find. i had all my michlin tires road force balanced,moved tires from front to back,installed two new tires , rotated them from front to back, changed rims to good steel rims,rebalanced tires. none of this helped, removed two piece drive shaft checked u-joints, replaced rear u-joint, checked alignment, slipjoint, replaced centre carrier bearing. none of this helped. checked all engine and tranmission mounts for loosness, retorqued all bolts. did the hose clamp thing as per manual. still the same. vibration @35to 40 mph and again at 50-55 and 65-70. anybody have any other ideas other than trading the truck.



thanks for any suggestions you can give : :{ :{

 

[LHartman]

Driveline bent/dented? Possible bearing going in the rear end? Absolutely sure it's coming from the rear? Just brainstorming here. Hope you find it.

 

[Loren]

FourBarR,



I don't know either, but the only suggestion I can come up with is to check the phasing of the u-joints on the driveshaft. If they are out of phase, you can get a vibration of the shaft.



U-joints are in phase when the yokes at each end of the driveshaft are aligned. That is, when the u-joint yoke at the front end of the driveshaft is vertical, the one at the rear of the shaft should also be vertical.



If your driveshaft has been separated at the slip joint, someone may have put it back together out of phase.



Oh, another idea... Some drivers have had some luck getting rid of a vibration by replacing the two-piece shaft with a single shaft. I don't know if this is practical for your truck or not. You'll have to check the geometry. The experts at a good driveshaft shop should be able to advise you.



A CV joint to replace one of the regular u-joints may also be some help.



Like LHartman, I'm just brainstorming too.



I hope this helps.



Loren

 

[RIVRUNR]

I had a vibration in my 1998. 5 that took many trips to the dealer to get rid of. After 2 drive shafts and a couple of tire balances the problem turned out to be that one of the rear brake drums was out of balance, once the drum was replaced the problem went away. Hope that helps

 

[rrausch]

I had my driveshaft balanced when I had my Trans up-graded, and it made a big difference. Before the balance job, I had a definite vibration, which was annoying, but I did get used to it, but after balancing it was REALLY SMOOTH.



I don't think Dodge balances the driveshafts very well from the factory.