Driveline Vibrations.

[rashwor]

Sounds like a song, but it is not.



My '05 just starting exhibiting a vibration that appears to be in the drive train somewhere. It only happens around 62 - 64 MPH towing. When empty it does not do it at all. It does not show up below or above around 64 MPH.



Bets and guesses please. The truck is a 3500 dually LWB 4X2 NV5600.



The tires show no unusual wear and have not been flat-spotted.



I have never experienced the driveline vibrations discussed in any of these forums, so I don't know what I am looking for.



TIA.

 

[MRosinski]

Does your driveshaft still have the balanceing weights on it. My 04's rusted off and I had similar vibe issues.

 

[captaindean]

My wifes truck did same thing and it was the u joints just happened last week replaced and all is good now also just replaced shocks with bilstein from genos when you replace u-joints make sure that you use heavy duty that are greaseable truck has about 110,000 miles on it. hope this helps

 

[CRiggan]

My 2005 had to have the driveshaft replaced under warranty . You could hold your hand on the 4wd shifter and feel the vibrations very strong.

 

[PBrauer]

My '05... vibration... drive train...

When empty it does not do it at all.

The truck is a 3500 dually LWB 4X2 NV5600.

TIA.

Perfect description for U-Joints. Not sure what your 2WD drive shaft looks like but 99. 9% "odds" it's just the u-joints. Start at the back... replace at least two... consider the third one if it has it.



Warning, they're "glued" in now from the factory (resin injected through tiny holes in the yoke). Much harder to DIY than they used to be... you'll need a torch, and a plan. New ones will use clips though.



I want grease fittings too, but still recommend stock replacements... about $60 ea if you can get wholesale. At 200K, mine still had grease w/acceptable, mild "grooves". Rollers looked new. Your description/symptoms would match mine perfectly. Does it shake a little "extra" when/right after you hit nice even bumps on the highway???



You cannot tell by hand when they are starting to wear out. Even with the prop out, laying on my tailgate, they felt fine. A half day later, when I finally pulled out of the FJ parking lot... vibration was gone... and the exploding hot grease "spray" burns on my legs had already started to heal... puncture the seals BEFORE applying the torch. D**n things were still sealed when I drove the joint out (following 5-10min w/torch)... "pop", "oooouch!!!" I wear shorts every day.



The seals are the main reason I'd stick w/stock replacements BTW. I looked at a Spicer and it just didn't look the same... FWIW.

 

[dlmetzger]

Vibration

I have a similar problem. The truck is new and has no vibration/shudder when not towing. But while towing 3-horse trailer (~8-9K), I get a vibration at 45-50 and again at 65-70 mph.



Did you get yours sorted out?

 

[JMack]

I also have this issue at 60-68mph. Truck has only 26k miles onit so it can't be the joints. Bad when your towing a load. Very minor not towing. Goes away soon as you lift off the throttle.

 

[SSalzer]

I just replaced my U joints this weekend. I used Precision 351's. I had to grind the drive shaft and the clips a little to be able to fit them in. Otherwise they fit fine I found that trick on a TDR post. Worked great. No more squeaking noise. I never had any vibration though. It ended up being the one farthest back that was dry.