driveline shudder!

[CKimball]

proud owner of a 03 Heavy Duty CTD Dually... I pull 14k (way under what alot of guys pull!) and I have a shudder when starting off from a start... anyone else got this??... if so... anyone got a fix??... my 97 SPD 4x4 had the same problem only way worse... . it cant be good for the driveline

Cameron

 

[RustyJC]

If this is the shudder my 2002 has, I'm amazed that it's still there. When towing our 13,500 lb 5ver, the only way to take off without shuddering is to let out the clutch with no throttle - the ECM will keep it from stalling. Once the clutch is fully engaged, roll into the throttle. If the clutch is engaged with the throttle applied, the truck goes into a bucking, shaking fit like the engine or transmission mounts are too soft.



There have also been cases of driveline shudder that have been caused by excessive pinion/driveshaft angularity. These have been improved in many cases by proper shimming of the center carrier bearing.



Any idea which of these you're experiencing?



Rusty

 

[CKimball]

it is definitly a driveshaft shudder. . I tried the shimmy trick on my Ford but it never went away... I replaced the springs, put traction bars on, shimmed the cewnter support bearing and nothing so I got rid of the truck (among other reasons) and bought a new one... and... same thing... is this just a 5th wheel issue??/. . one

would think not cuz it sure doesnt seem right...

Cameron

 

[RustyJC]

Cameron,



I guess I'm one of the lucky ones. Once I get the clutch out, I don't have any driveline shuddering with mine. It's pretty frustrating that some seem to have it and some don't.



Rusty

 

[mikel]

Hey all,



I think that this has to do with bed height on these trucks with two piece driveshafts.



I have airlift airbags on my truck, so I can vary the ride height very easily. With no air in the bags and a heavy trailer or load in the bed, I get the shudder too. If I air the bags up so that the truck is sitting at the same height as empty, no shudder...



I also had a '99 with an auto and a one piece driveshaft, otherwise it was exactly the same as what I have now. I pulled some of the same loads that give my current truck the shudder and never had it with the '99.



Just my observations.





Mike

 

[CKimball]

thanks guys... . I have an Auto so if anyone with an auto has the same prob as me... let me know... I am gonna try airbags... its a darn shame cuz Its new and you shouldnt have to do any mods like that in order to work right... ESPECIALLY the price they get for these things!

Cameron

 

[mikel]

Originally posted by CKimball

thanks guys... . I have an Auto so if anyone with an auto has the same prob as me... let me know... I am gonna try airbags... its a darn shame cuz Its new and you shouldnt have to do any mods like that in order to work right... ESPECIALLY the price they get for these things!

Cameron

Well, I guess you shot my theory down (unless you have a two piece drive shaft on your auto). Sorry I couldn't be more help.



Mike

 

[CKimball]

no mike... I do have a two piece shaft... I had to shim my Ford (4x4 PSD) drivshaft... took most of the shudder out but got a vibration going down the road. . (I have to find a fix cuz the shudder in my old truck convinced the CFO in my house to let me make this purchase!!!!)

again I wonder if I take out those two little leaf spring risers if that would help...

Cameron

 

[Steve Campbell]

I have not looked at the carrier bearing on an "03"...

but on my 99... . the "rubber" inside the carrier bearing assembly seemed pretty "soft/spongy" (IMO) to me so I took a piece of 3/16" flat bar and "stuffed" it above the rubber, but below the top surface of the carrier bearing, thereby "squeezing/crushing" the rubber down and taking out some of this "excess play". Problem is 90% gone for me now.



All of the ideas on how to "start out" are also in use by me.

 

[CKimball]

Steve... I guess I am going to try it as my center bearing is sloppy. . stupid since these trucks are built to tow... argg... .

Cameron

 

[jnelson]

this may sound stupid but if your fithwheel hitch is mounted too far back (or goose ball) it will cause this driveline shudder.

just a thought.



In order me my truck to shudder, I have to be weigh overloaded.



Get it - weigh (way) overloaded.

 

[Prairie Dog]

A little while back I read a thread from someone else w/ an 03 who had a shutter only when pulling their fifth wheel. In that case the dealer replaced his clutch.

 

[JWhitcomb]

I get that shudder while pulling my boat with a big camper in the bed. I happens to me in the mountains when I have to go around a sharp turn while going up hill. If I keep the rpm's up I can minimize it but that can be tough to do under the conditions. I need to take a look under there and see if I can understand the 3/16 steel fix.

 

[Steve Campbell]

Using the keyboard....

I will try to show the "3/16ths steel thing.

_______ This is where the crossmember of the truck is.

1_____1 Bolts between top of "carrier" and crossmember

. _ ... _ The steel goes above rubber "grommet"

. . [O]. . and below the "flanges" You have to pull the driveline down (perhaps your

tire jack would work) at the same time you are trying

to put the steel in.



The steel goes "inside" the package not above it.



... _ ... _

The [O] above is trying to show the driveline bearing surrounded by rubber bushing.



I hope that helped somewhat!!!!







Disregard all of the dots in the "drawing", they were the only way I could get the dashes and underlines to stay where I wanted them.

 

[Okie-Go]

There is an article about this in this months trailer life. The problem was when loaded it got the driveshaft out of alignment. (I think that is the word used) The guy was recommended put on air bags to keep truck level even with a load and should have no more shudder.

 

[JWhitcomb]

Thank you Steve.