Serious slow down vibration

[WM-300]

I have a 2003 Long Bed, HO Cummins/6 Speed with 4. 10's



I was running the interstate today at 65 and slowed down for a work zone. I got a serious vibration much like running over 'small' rumble strips. Once I was down to 55 for the work zone and back on the go pedal, the vibration went away. From then on, every time I would slow down, this vibration would surface during the period slow down. I stopped to pay the toll and from 20 mph down to Zero the vibration was really bad, just like running on real large rumble strips. I dont notice any vibration when coming back up to speed. I am sure without question its coming from the rear of the truck. Differential, Universal Joints ??? any thoughts.



It goes to the dealer under warantee in the morning.



WM300

 

[MMeier]

Universal joints, plenty of talk here on them in the 3rd gen trucks, do a search. And don't be surprised if the things are not under warranty either, hopefully your dealer is decent! Should take it to a driveline shop or do them all with Precision 351's, one's gone, the others are not too far behind, let us know how you make out!

 

[Jeepstang]

It Sounds to me like your Brake rotors are warped

 

[RTillery]

Mine did exactly the same thing. You are about to loose a driveshaft. Pull it and feel them. You usually cannot visually see them going bad until it is too late. 4 bolts on the rear flange and the carrier bearing and I bet you can tell. Let us know how many are bad. Best to replace them all.

 

[WM-300]

Thanks Guys.



I will post here the findings tomorrow when I return from the dealer.

Ha, I hope the drive shaft holds for a 30 mile drive



wm-300

 

[raychem]

Check your tires for wear... mine would do the same thing before I rotated and changed the shocks @31K. The factory shocks are garbage as far as longevity abd if they are bad they will cause uneven tire wear leading to similar syptoms as the ones you are describing above.



Richard

 

[Briman]

I vote for U joint, mine did the same thing at 69,980 miles. Dealer installed a new drive shaft assembly insead of replacing the joints so I got a new center bearing as well. It was repaired under the 70K drive train warranty.

 

[AKaiser]

I'm getting the same. Could be any number of things, but most likely something in the driveline, specifically U-Joints. I checked mine after I got home last night, and the axle joints weren't hot (front axle at the wheel) but I didn't crawl around underneath to check the driveshafts.

 

[JH8128]

I just replaced a U joint doing the same thing that you described.

 

[Beards]

I am having the same issue with my 03 @60k I would be interested knowing what the diagnosis is when you find out. I was thinking it was the rotors and breaks.

 

[WM-300]

Vibration Update

Drove 30 miles to the dealer this morning. Vibration was getting worse all the time. All interstate and only 5 stop signs after leaving the interstate. When stopping, below 30 mph, it almost felt like the back end was hopping/dragging.



The problem was the rear Drive shaft U Joint. Two of the trunions had thrown all the needle bearings out. Other U Joints ok. It was covered under warantee.



WM-300

 

[jwilliams3]

The other U joints arent far behind. Dont believe the dealer when they say "they're ok".

You cannot inspect a dry u joint while it is installed.

 

[MMeier]

Drove 30 miles to the dealer this morning. Vibration was getting worse all the time. All interstate and only 5 stop signs after leaving the interstate. When stopping, below 30 mph, it almost felt like the back end was hopping/dragging.



The problem was the rear Drive shaft U Joint. Two of the trunions had thrown all the needle bearings out. Other U Joints ok. It was covered under warantee.



WM-300

What we tell you here!!??

 

[MMeier]

The other U joints arent far behind. Dont believe the dealer when they say "they're ok".

You cannot inspect a dry u joint while it is installed.

AND, what he said!

 

[WM-300]

I realize the others will fail in the future. But this was a freebe, I am quite a bit out of warantee, and it was taken care of. NO complaints here.
WM-300

 

[BHaden]

[QUOTE at 69,980 miles... ..... the 70K drive train warranty. [/QUOTE]



WOW! Nice timing!!!:-laf