how many vibrations?

[Briman]

I did everything PCline did to his rear drive shaft and the vibration was no better. I pulled the front drive shaft and bingo, no more vibration. I don't know why I waited so long to pull it out since it was one of the first things I questioned. I have an appointment at Larry Miller Dodge in the morning and they get to keep the truck until next Wednesday morning. I sure hope they get it fixed. The service manager (Evan) said he would not guarantee a fix because Chrysler has not come up with a solution to the problem and that changing out drive shafts with out really knowing what is wrong is not how he prefers to proceed.



Wouldn't you like to have a brand new truck that can't be fixed but the bank still wants their money?



The service manager kindly pointed out that Utah no longer has a lemon law. Any one up for a class action lawsuit (I say that in jest, sort of)?



Evan with the vibration gone this new generation truck seems to telegraph more engine vibrations through the entire truck (I can certainly live with that).



Sorry for going on.

 

[91W350]

I drove mine over 200 miles today with no front driveshaft. It is so smooth, I should have bought a two wheel drive, just kidding. Actually though, I did not notice any vibrations, but then I am used to the rattling thump of a warmed up aluminum head 454 with a solid roller in my 1965 Malibu. Nothing quite like a 3300 pound car with over 600 horsepower. My other driver is an old 70 C-10 with a warmed over 402, it definitely has vibrations too. This flat torque band of the Cummins is pretty impressive. Now if they can just get me a front shaft that does not vibrate.....

 

[sag2]

Before you waste the time throwing away a perfectly good shaft, have them check the angles. They can take some of the caster out (not too much or you might have handling problems) and it should improve it.

 

[hclark]

No vibrations, long bed

 

[CRumsey]

High speed vibration

Originally posted by hclark

No vibrations, long bed

I have a new 03 with HO eng. and 48RE Automatic transmission 4x4 Quad cab short bed and just returned from a long trip from Ut. through Wyoming and into Kansas. At 65MPH and under the truck runs like a dream but at speeds 70MPH plus there is the vibration and it gets worse the higher the speed. I can feel it in the steering wheel and see it in the interior rearview mirror, it vibrates so bad that it is difficult to discern what is behind me; and that is only a small exageration. I must use the exterior mirrors to see clearly what is behind me. I would like to know if there is a clear fix to this problem as it is a definite detriment to the trucks driveability.

This is my second new Dodge Cummins, my last one was a 92 that I ordered from the factory; I liked it so much I kept it for 11 years. Any help would be greatlyappreciated. e-mail -- email address removed --

 

[Howard]

I picked up my 2003 about a month ago. On the 250 mile drive home I soon realized the tires were not balanced. I had the two front tires rebalanced & one needed 4 ounces. After that fix I noticed the vibration & it didn't feel like tires. It starts at 50, peaks at 62 & is still their at 75. It's so annoying I don't enjoy driving the truck. The vibration is a pulsing kind that gets to you! The milage is at 4100 & headed for the dealer soon. I might add the truck pulls to the right & the milage is terrible. I get 11 pulling a 11,000 # trailer which I think is good, 13. 7 local driving which I consider a little low & 14 on a trip traveling 70/75 which I think is terrible. A trip at 55 gets 16. 5, but who drives 55. Wish I had my 99 back.



2003 Quad 3500 Duelly, HO, Auto, Long Box

 

[RMcCulloch]

Howard,



Have you re-torqued the lug nuts since your tires were rebalanced?

 

[ab7fh]

Our vibration comes in at 65-70 MPH. It can be felt through the steering wheel and the pedals. Since the vibration occurs at such a common road speed it is very annoying.



We have racked up the miles on our rig pretty quick. We now have just over 6000 miles in just over a month. We started with a vacation to Colorado www.explorerforum.com/colorado_roadtrip and right after we got back we helped support a race team in the Vegas to Reno 600 desert race www.fly-n-hi.com/FST/vegas_reno_03



Driving long distances in the vibration range is very uncomfortable. Unfortunatly driving faster to get rid of the vibration eats fuel and driving slower... well who want's to drive slower than the speed limit

 

[91W350]

Rick,

My dealer installed a new driveshaft. It helped, but I still have a little vibration at 72 to 77. The spped limit here is 70, so I guess it is not all bad. I did drive 80 yesterday for about 100 miles, did not really notice it then. It is definitely much better than it was. At least the interior mirror never appears to dance anymore. I was going to return it again for another check, but I think I'll wait a few more miles. I hear there is an area in the rpm band that causes vibrations too. I have 10,000 on mine now and should get another 3000 next month. Like some others, I suspect driveline angle might have something to do with it. I am sure mine is driveshaft related though as when I took the shaft out, it went away. Glen

 

[ab7fh]

I was disappointed that Dodge did not incorporate some type of front axle disconnect system. Front driveline vibrations would not have been an issue at all and the 4x4s fuel economy would be improved as well.



It's a shame when they take a step backwards at the same time they are leaping forward.

 

[91W350]

I agree with that! Somebody needs to come up with a set of the short outside axles and rotors, so we can switch to lockout hubs. I think I would be a player at a grand, if that is what it cost. The way ours are designed, the rotor is secured to the axle with an axle nut. We would have to change the outside axles, the rotors and buy a set of locking hubs. Money well spent in my opinion. Surely American Axle being the big corporation they are could supply the parts if we found the right guy to talk to.

 

[FATCAT]

No Axle disconnect????

Are you guys saying that the front axle AND the front driveshaft on the 4X4's are continuously rotating when in 4 X 2 mode???



That stinks!!!! Why the heck would Amer. Axle make such a thing? That definitly would reduce fuel milage and having the front axle always spinning, would definitly throw a new variable into you folks vibration problems.



I think I'll be waiting a long time before getting a new truck.



(Hopfully a Ram 5500 with a ISC and 7 speed).

 

[91W350]

There is no provision for an axle disconnect on the new Dodge, short of removing the front shaft. I would do that, but dog gone, it is tough to install in a mudhole or sand bog!

 

[Blakers]

I don't think a front axle disconnect would give you better mileage as all the same parts are still moving. Either the front driveshaft is turning or the spider gears are going around 150 mile per hour. Now front lock out hubs would definately help. The front end these trucks use is 1950s technology - my 1956 Willys CJ-3B had an axle that turned all the time - until I put lock out hubs on it.

 

[91W350]

The 1956 Jeep was a little different. The end of the hubs on those had a bolt on cap that locked the front axle to the hub. The new Dodges with the American axles are more like a 30's Ford rear axle with a lock nut that secures the axle to the hub. I am sure the inside of the hub is splined, but where a lockout hub needs to go is threaded. I suspect that the axle nut is used to preload the front wheel bearings. The threaded end of the axle means you would have to change the rotor, the outside short axle and then purchase locking hubs.



Disconnecting the front axle would remove the rotating mass of the front driveshaft, the lower shaft in the transfer case and the drive gears or chains involved in transferring power to the front driveshaft.



Do not get me wrong, I would much prefer the old style lockout hubs over any thing else. They are not a bolt on application on the new Dodges though, like they were on the old Jeeps. What I would like to know is if the Fords with the American axles and lockout hubs use the same inside housing. If so, it would seem that we could buy the parts to complete the conversion across the Ford parts desk. I know one thing I do not want to lose and that is those fantastic brakes!



As far as loss of fuel mileage, I am more than happy with that part of my truck. I know that there are a lot of parts rotating now that do not need to be though! Expensive parts at that!

 

[Blakers]

With everything turning all the time anyway, I'd like to have full time 4 wheel drive like our 74 Jimmy pickup had. That truck handled like a sports car on corners and all the tires wore real evenly. I liked that system.