Lurching while pulling

[RHARVEY]

Ok here is another question for the brains! I hooked to the 5th wheel for a drive down to the tire shop. I noticed that when I shifted in 3rd gear the truck felt like it was lurching or bucking. It started off small and the further I went the worse it got.

I tried a couple of things to see if I could find out the problem. First I started off slower than normal and eased into the throttle very slow and it would start but it wouldn't get any worse or if I started off somewhat hard like I was pulling onto the freeway it would not do it that I could tell.

I was told it might be a sticky spot on one of the u-joints. When I don't have the truck hooked to it, I don't feel any thing. The u-joint theory sounds good due to the fact that you change the angle of the drive line when the trailer the hooked,,right?



Thanks guys,



Rick

 

[Forrest]

Been there, done that, fixed that.

Howdy Rick,



Us 96 & 97, 5 speed Rammers got exceptional fueling pumps, but they went & screwed up the throttle linkage. Dodge has a kit that replaces the linkage & puts on new springs.



I should have taken off my spring/springs 1st & gone down to the local parts house & got some stiffer ones myself. I'd try that 1st before you set up the appt with Dodge. Cheap enough & worth the try.



If you grab the linkage, on the side of the pump, you can feel how easily it moves. Bingo, oscillation time. Mine only did it when I was accelerating up hill from a slow start.

 

[JJW_ND]

My 96 does it to. Worse with a load. I take it easy until trough third. I am still all stock with linkage, but will update with something wears out or brakes.



jjw

 

[C Schomer]

There's a TSB for that. Mine was done when the whole truck was in warranty but I think it's covered on the 100k engine warranty. Craig

 

[RHARVEY]

I replaced the outside spring with a heavier one that I got from Pep Boys and cured that lurching problem. We just got back from a trip to the coast with the trailer in tow, and it never did lurch. So instead of the $210 TSB that Dodge wanted, it cost about $6. 00 and a few minutes of work. .



Rick