ETH Driveline Shudder

[Cliffman]

38,000 Miles and no shudder so far

 

[Floor It]

My 2001. 5 has had the same shudder your talking about from day one. End of 1rst and 2nd gear when applying moderate to heavy throttle unloaded. Dealer doesen't know what to do. So I am going to print this too and see if it helps them thanks for the info rrexcavate.

 

[WOWZY]

I don't know if this may help, but my '84 K-5 Blazer had a longer tailshaft in it than my '78 Blazer had. When I lifted the '84 Blazer, I had a vibration just like you guys have been experiencing.



The local 4x4 shop tried some 3 degree shims and it helped only a little. We then tried some 6 degree shims and it was better but was still there. The shop had no other recomendations so I was on my own to cure the problem.



First I reallized that 6 degrees was keeping the driveline at the axle in perfect allignment, so it had to be the angle at the t-case.



I then shimmed my T-Case cross member down using some 1/2" bar stock that I had drilled holes into to match the holes in the cross member. I put longer bolts in and took it for a test drive and all of the vibration was gone. I then took out the 6 degree shims and put the 3 degree ones back in. Had no trouble after that with any vibration.



I had the same trouble with my '84 Toyota x-cab 4x4. It has the same type of center support bearing that we use on our Rams. I did the same shim work to the T-Case cross member like I did with the Blazer and lowered the center support bearing a 1/2" also to get rid of the vibration. A couple of years later it was time to replace the center support bearing and I was shocked that a new one was $166. I then eliminated the bearing by going with a 1-piece driveshaft.



I think the 1-piece driveshaft is the way to go.



If any of you go with the 1-piece driveshaft, make sure it's made with some thick wall tubing as our mighty engines will twist anything less like a pretzel.

 

[Steve Campbell]

On my truck, the carrier bearing seemed loose to me (over the road truck repair) and I pointed it out to the dealer. They said it was normal. When I got home I put the truck in the shop and "wedged" a piece of 3/16th x 1 1/2 flat bar above the rubber in the carrier bearing to eliminate some of the "play". I have been running this way for 1 1/2 years with no problem and no more shudder. Hope that helps.