More vibration problems ...

[kober]

Took my truck in for 15K service and had them look at the launch shudder problem. Dealer ordered parts.

A week later I took the truck back and they installed a new front drive shaft.

Now I have a somewhat reduced launch shudder, a 60 to 72 MPH vibration that has come back with a vengeance and a vibration from the engine/transmission that numbs my right foot within 3 to 4 minutes whenever I drive the truck no matter at what speed.

The last problem started when the dealer changed out a "valve body" in the transmission that was causing a check engine light to come on every few miles.

I'm seriously thinking of raising hell and see if Dodge will take this truck back. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[bpenrod]

Do a search here, there have been several cures for different trucks. Try removing the front driveshaft and going for a ride, that may narrow down the vibration. Some have had luck loosening the motor mounts and transmission mount and letting the engine "settle" by shaking it around then tightening it all back up. I'm sure a search will provide more reading than you bargained for.

 

[kober]

I'm at the mercy of the dealer. I have no way of loosening the mounts or taking that drive shaft off. I guess I'll make that suggestion to the "Service Advisor" next week and see what he says.

I used to like this truck but I'm starting to get impatient. $40K is lot to spend on a vehicle that spends this much time in the shop.

 

[LFalconer]

Kober, I had this issue, long story short, 5 trips through the service shop, DC involved.



Net - Net after some improvement still there, they offered me an 05, but it did the same thing.



Then dealer said it was "normal" - by this time I was getting tired of the game, and researching other issues with the Dodge - especially in the frame area - I made a deal with the dealer for a quasi buy back.



I bought a F250 05 Ford 6. 0L - no vibration - and the 05's are not problematic as the 03's.



Just my 0. 02



L

 

[kober]

How did you get DC involved?

 

[Cattletrkr]

Check out page 4 of this thread. See what finally helped me loose the shudder.

 

[EBottema]

Looks to me like the problem vibrations/ball joints/u joints is a common 3rd gen issue as the track bar issues are on the 2nd gen... why cant DC ever get anything right?

 

[DaveK98]

I'm about to get my 05 dwr 2wd this weekend. Are the 05's still having the vibration issue? Should I ask to test drive the vehicle before I accept it? What should I look/feel for?



Thanks Dave

 

[LFalconer]

DaveK98, The 05 they offered me had the same vibe at 2500 rpm, I had several vibes,



68-72 mph was mitigated by lowering prop shaft bearing, rebalancing front driveshaft



73-77 mph - never went away, caused by 2500 rpm vibe in Cummins.



I had QC LWB 4. 10's with 6 speed NV5600 Cummins.



That's when I decided enough was enough, and bought the Ford. No regrets.



L

 

[sag2]

Kober, where are you located. You need a different dealer! Launch shudders are rear drive line angles. There is a TSB for the fix for that. If it has not been too long, get your old front shaft back and have them index it for lowest runout. Then take it to a dealer that knows what he is doing and get the shudder repaired by changing the length of the center support.

 

[kober]

sag2,

I'll do that, my dealer says he still has the old front drive shaft.

I also have a vibration at all speeds, I feel it mostly in the pedals, esepcially during accelleration, but even at idle. Any ideas?

 

[EBottema]

sag2,

I'll do that, my dealer says he still has the old front drive shaft.

I also have a vibration at all speeds, I feel it mostly in the pedals, esepcially during accelleration, but even at idle. Any ideas?

I would check the u joints first. Look at the transmission and engine mounts next for defects. Last the driveshaft or shafts might be out of balance ---doubtful... .