Drone and Vibration -- We need answers

[FlyFisha']

Hey all --



Just bought an SRW '04 HO 6sp short bed and have both the drone and pulsating/vibration in the fuel pedal and steering wheel. It seems many of us are having this problem and I'm curious if the TDR, as a group, has any sway with Dodge on this issue... at least where they're at on the problem... TSB or something.



I'm not says lets be rude and DEMAND attention, but rather compile a list of the posts regarding this issue and pass it off to Dodge & Cummins along with a well written letter explaining the growing frustrations/concerns with lack of informatioin.



I've read that Dodge is aware of this issue and that they are working on it. What IS the ISSUE and can we, TDR members, be of any help? If not, when can we expect to hear news, updates or anything encouraging... or that they're stumped.



I'm a fairly new member of the TDR and this request may be outside of it's intended purpose, but as loyal Dodge/Cummins customers with real buying power I personally think it would be legit.



Thoughts?



Jeff

 

[DPKetchum]

First call 18009921997 and start their. I call the drone "it"and there are LOTS of posts and ONE real long one on IT. Never got a GOOD answer to what IT is I was told possible TURBO related. On mine you can raise rpm in neutral and feel IT at the turbo housing.

 

[TDuPuy]

I know that a lot of people have this "DRONE" but my truck has no noise whatsoever. What would make some trucks have it and others not? I have the same truck you do. Where was your truck made? Mine was made in Mexico. The only problem I have is the Rattle of the clutch at idle. If you could determine what is different between trucks that have the drone and the ones that do not you might be able to pinpoint a place to start looking for the problem.



Just a thought

 

[DPKetchum]

Mine is Mexico. You can feel the vibration in the turbo housing. can make it peak and eb etc. can feel all of that same as hearing it. I think its the configuration and size of the turbo. Just a guess. But that is whats so different from the other generations.

 

[Northerner]

Mine's a Mex too and It can put your hand and your foot to sleep at any rpm from 1800 to 2100. One thing though it wasn't there when it was new. I agree that DC should be contacted and maybe they could let us know that they are listening. That would help. .

 

[BIG BOB]

So far, I see one thing you guys have in common. 6 speed transmission.

 

[Johnstra]

mileage seems to help

I bought mine in August and I really noticed the vibration on my first long trip. Most noticeable after the truck had been running for a few hours and A/C was on.



I just rolled 6K miles the vibration is now barely noticeable - and I've made no mods. I'll be taking another long trip in a few weeks and I'll monitor it closely, but the vibration really seems to subside as the miles add up.



Anyone else with similar experience?



-john

 

[DPKetchum]

Your right. Between changing the exhaust and miles(6500) its better but still there. At first it was horrible. Like someone turned a switch on at 60 mph. Sounded like a old 350 chevy with the air cleaner lid flipped upside down and tingled through pedals etc.

 

[Bertram65]

I had the drone for the first 3K miles or so, now it is completely gone, I have just under 6K miles now.

 

[MSilva]

I have 1400 miles and still have the drone noise problem, but it does seem to be a little less pronounced. The noise sound like going down the road with mud tires. The drone starts at 70 and

ends at 85mph. Vibration is minimal. I will let the dealer change out front drive shaft. It cant hurt? can it? The front drive shaft

unbolts with no loss of gear oil correct?

 

[DPKetchum]

Correct.

 

[CATCRACKER]

i got 22000 and i still have is but it is less. i have 35" tires so when i am around 70mph i am at 1950rpms and i am out if the drone zone. but now i have a bad tires/wheel/shock vibration at 1500rpms to 2000rpms

 

[Northerner]

9500 KMS and still humming. Just got back from a longer trip.

How would we get DC to give an answer here for all of us to see. Any ideas?

 

[nickleinonen]

i haven't noticed any drone in my exhaust [i rarely drive over 2000 rpm in 6th on the hwy] i haven't noticed any buzzing or viberation in the go pedal or steering collum. i do have a little bizz in that little panel between the door and the dash, i can jam my hand in between the space there when it is buzzing and it will stop... i also have some nasty noise coming from the clutch i think, when taking off in 2nd gear [i didn't notice it until wednesday afternoon] i thought my 315's were rubbing the mudflaps i put on, but i see no rubbing marks on them. and it only does it sometimes, if you let the engine lug down to under 500 rpm i think [i don't watch the tach when it's done it. . ]



4th gear is a little noisy, but nothing that i am worried about [haven't used the radio yet, still listening to the turbo ]

 

[Bill Littlefield]

Drone

I think it is a good idea and a worthwhile exercise to put together a summary of the drone problem and send it to Dodge. It's bound to get someones attention. If we could get names and phone numbers for everyone who has the problem, they could follow-up for more info. The summary might include the configurations of the trucks with the drone and what people have done to try to fix the problem. If anyone has had complete success fixing it, that would be helpful. Dodge may want to witness this (if they don't fully agree there is a problem) so some guys might have to demonstrate for them.



I reported previously that my truck does not have the drone. However, after reading all these posts, I have been paying very close attention. I have a very slight vibration at 2100 rpms. I can hear it more than I can feel it. I have 7K miles on my truck and it's more noticeable now than before but I think it's just me being more aware. For those of you who think yours is getting better, it may be that your just getting accustomed to it.



I don't know how we would collectively summarize all our drone issues. Maybe we could all write a regular email and send it to a unique address along with our contact info. Then someone could print them all and send them to a Dodge representative. Maybe the TDR could create a special discussion page for it and then have someone from Dodge review it online? Does anyone have a better idea how to put something together?

 

[DPKetchum]

I'm game!

 

[Northerner]

Re: Drone

Originally posted by Bill Littlefield

I think it is a good idea and a worthwhile exercise to put together a summary of the drone problem and send it to Dodge. It's bound to get someones attention. If we could get names and phone numbers for everyone who has the problem, they could follow-up for more info. The summary might include the configurations of the trucks with the drone and what people have done to try to fix the problem. If anyone has had complete success fixing it, that would be helpful. Dodge may want to witness this (if they don't fully agree there is a problem) so some guys might have to demonstrate for them.



I reported previously that my truck does not have the drone. However, after reading all these posts, I have been paying very close attention. I have a very slight vibration at 2100 rpms. I can hear it more than I can feel it. I have 7K miles on my truck and it's more noticeable now than before but I think it's just me being more aware. For those of you who think yours is getting better, it may be that your just getting accustomed to it.



I don't know how we would collectively summarize all our drone issues. Maybe we could all write a regular email and send it to a unique address along with our contact info. Then someone could print them all and send them to a Dodge representative. Maybe the TDR could create a special discussion page for it and then have someone from Dodge review it online? Does anyone have a better idea how to put something together?

The idea of an e-mail would be great. Wonder if DC would tally up the info as a data base if there was a questionnaire we could fill out on line. Your idea of getting TDR to set it up is the way to go. Question is how do we get DC to talk to us here on the forum? Does anyone with the 48re have this vibration in the steering and on the fuel pedal?

 

[DPKetchum]

They need to rev them in neutral also slowly and feel hear if drone and vibration start at 1950 or so and goes to 2300 or so with a peak somewhere in the middle of the rpm range. Can also try them in o/d and with o/d off and in second gear etc. same rpm range. mine with the 6 speed is noticable in neutral/6th/bad in 5th and so on.

 

[Moterhead]

Is it only 4X4 trucks that have this problem? I read over all the posts I could find on it & it seemed that it was only 4X4s???

 

[DPKetchum]

There was a thread with a survey. anyone remember it? Anyone good at looking up history? I think its more then 4x4.