My Vibration Story

[REPeeler]

My Vibration Story-UPDATED!

I bought a 2004. 5 3500 CTD 4x4 DRW last part of May. It has a bad vibration from about 55 mph up. Being the worst between 60-70 mph. I have taken in 5 times between June 10 and now. The sevice dept has bent over backwards to try to resolve this. First they tried rotating the drive shaft 180 degrees. Then they replaced the drive shaft twice. Then they replaced the entire rear differential. Then the last thing they tried was having the driveshaft balanced locally. None of this has worked to remedy the problem. The service manager has an identical truck and his does not have this problem. I think that is why they tried so many times to fix it, because he could tell how bad it really was since he knows how it should really feel. But this last time he said thay have done all they can and he suggested going the lemon law route to remedy the situation. So, Monday I will be sending out my Certified letter to DC.



Ray



Update:08/09/2004



The service manager from Gunn Dodge here in San Antonio called today. Said to bring in the truck. Told me the Regional Rep called him and told them to "INDEX" the driveshaft. Not sure what is involved when they index a driveshaft, but I hope it fixes it because I really like the truck. He was told that this procedure has fixed most of the trucks with this problem. Wonder if this counts as the one time shot the manufacturer gets to fix it once the Certified letter I sent is received? I'll update when they get it done.



Ray

 

[RottnDogue]

That sucks Ray, curious to see how long the process takes. Keep us informed.



Darren

 

[WStoops]

Ray, Sorry to hear that. I too have a 04. 5 with that nasty vibration. My dealer did the drivetain realignment to no avail. Actually it did change it somewhat but at 70 mph it is still as bad as ever. They said they won't work on it again as they have done all they know to do and that DC is working hard on a fix. I asked when it might be available but they don't know. My dealer also suggested that I might have to go the Lemon law route. Also some troubleshooter from DC came down to supervise the realignment. There was another truck in that day for the same problem. My dealer is sympathetic but does not know what to do to fix the problem. Here in CT you have to make the claim within 2 years or 18,000 miles. On my way to GA for vacation on Friday and when I return I'll be sending out my registered letter. I love the truck but am really disappointed that DC would sell me a $47,000 truck they knew had a problem. They SHOULD buy it back. I will buy another Dodge but will road test it first. Good luck and please keep us informed as I will do too.

Sorry for the long post.

 

[dcamilleri]

Has the dealer checked balance on the tires? Next thing to check would be pinion angle of the rear axle and compare to transmission or transfer case output angle. The angles need to be the same +- 1 degree or the u-joints will set up a harmonic vibration due to running at different angles. When I say angles need to be the same imagine drawing an imaginary line following the angle of the engine and transmission and then another line from the rear axle forward. When compared, the lines need to be parallell. One other item to check for is axle wrap. When torque is applied to the rear axle, the pinion will tend to move upward until the spring pack limits the movement. If it moves too far, it will make the ujoint angles uneven and cause a vibration. One last check would be to jack up the rear end of the truck, place jack stands under the rear axle for safety, lightly set the parking brake to add some resistance and bring the truck up to speed while watching what is happening under the truck. Hope something here helps. This should not be that hard to fix. Now if you want to lift it up say 6 inches and then get rid of all the vibrations, then it gets a little tricky.

 

[REPeeler]

Updated first post.



Ray

 

[txhawg]

is this vibration only peculiar to the 4X4's?

 

[REPeeler]

Don't know enough about it to answer which trucks seems to be prone to this and which aren't. Just moved down here from Fort Worth in Jan. I ride a 2004 Electra Glide Ultra Classic. Bought it when I moved here. In FTW I had a 1999 Heritage. Maybe I know you. . Do you ride with any groups or hang at any bars?

 

[GCross]

There are some thoughts on this in an article in TDR issue 45, page 48.

 

[SRH]

REPeeler I know how you feel

REPeeler I know how you feel I bought a 04 2500 CTD SW 4x4 in Oct 03. Had a bad vib from day one. new to CTD I didn't know, well to make a long long story short. I did go lemon Law and it's a long pain, well look at it this way. I still have it along with my new 04. 5 bought in march 04. yes two and two payment it was only to take two weeks and could have but, they wanted to charge about . 30 mile. I didn't feel it was right when they took 6 months and I drive 1000 + miles a wk and they said they never had this problem before and they DC knowed from june of 03 and to date selling the trucks and NOT infoming us when we buy it. My 04. 5 has a vib but it's not the same or not as bad yet. I bought in CO and live in WA on the way home it started half way I was ______ well you know. To date I've a lot of info on the vibration and Know you will never see a fix for all the trucks. I've almost fix on mine justed need get DC to do the work.

 

[REPeeler]

My truck is fixed! What is funny is after all the time and money spent on the rear of the truck... ... it turns out to be the front driveshaft!!

 

[dhill]

txhawg

I have a Yamaha Rsv and

a 1946 blond, she's pretty much in mint condition too, though I've had her in the shop a few times. I think she got a few more years in her yet, so I'm thinking I'll ride her for a while.



Dace