Fixed my launch shudder....myself.

[JJuday]

I posted earlier about my carrier bearing self destructing and wanted to update everyone on what has happened since. I had launch shudder, low RPM shudder (under 1500 RPM or about 40-45 MPH) and a howl that resembled the sound oversized tires make at full speed. The carrier bearing had two of the four rubber mount tabs torn and when my Dad and I jacked up the rear end we noticed the vibration coming from the bearing while the truck was in fourth gear. I don't mean just a little, I mean we could see the the center of the drive shaft bouncing wildly, and the sound was as if a Huey helicopter was landing nearby. Got the new bearing for 156. 00$ beacause my local Dodge dealer is not proficient at heavy duty repair, and I don't like other guys messing with my truck! It took most of the shudder and howl away for a short time, then it returned. U-joints were fine, not too tight, not loose either. Brought home a load of goodies from work, had to be at least 5 to 600 hundred lbs. of stuff and noticed no howl and no shudder. Ah Hah! Drive shaft angles aren't right. Got the TSB copied at the dealer and my Dad made an 8mm shim for the carrier bearing. I figured the thickness by stacking washers of the same size together. Now no shudder, no howl and on to other projects. Sorry for the long post. JJuday.

 

[ZHutton]

I just have a minor shudder on take off in first and from the reading I am doing I might mess around with some shims.



I won't be bothering with a dealer since my truck is a new to me 03 with some aftermarket stuff already on it.

 

[sag2]

The one inch spacer kit from Mopar is a bit on the expensive side at $72. 00 MSRP but includes the spacer and longer bolts. Fits perfect and fixes unloaded launch shudder. PN is 5135709AA.