Shudder at low speed in driveline.??

[MScheiper]

On my 2004. 5, I have noticed that there is a shudder as I approach a stop light in 2nd gear at about 1100rpm. I can feel it in the shifter. Also as I approach 40 mph, I can hear a rumble coming from the back near the rear end. I would say it has progressively gotten worse. Only occurs when the truck is moving. Checked the universals and they don't seem to have any play in them. No slop from the rear pinion either. Nothing seems to be out of place in the front end. Any ideas greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

 

[MMeier]

On my 2004. 5, I have noticed that there is a shudder as I approach a stop light in 2nd gear at about 1100rpm. I can feel it in the shifter. Also as I approach 40 mph, I can hear a rumble coming from the back near the rear end. I would say it has progressively gotten worse. Only occurs when the truck is moving. Checked the universals and they don't seem to have any play in them. No slop from the rear pinion either. Nothing seems to be out of place in the front end. Any ideas greatly appreciated! Thanks!!

Whats it doing on takeoff ? If nothing there, my $$$$ are on U Joints . They are next to impossible to tell if they are bad while on truck, pull them and you will more likely then not find a bad one ... or two... . While you're at it, replace all 3 if one is gone with greasable ones .

 

[Slow Six]

U joint(s).

 

[MScheiper]

MMeier and slow six, thanks for the reply! Doesn't seem to shudder at takeoff, but did notice that there is a "dry gear" sounding buzz when traveling home tonight on highway at about 60 mph. Not saying that's the cause, just what the sound sounds like. Will definitely pull and check u joints. See what I find... thanks again!

 

[wcjp]

I just went through this last week. It was the middle rear Ujoint. It felt tight. Finally confirmed the problem with my infrared heat gun. The transfer case and axle Ujoint was 78deg after driving to work. The middle Ujoint was 98deg. I've included a bad picture of the bad Ujoint. I had a shop replace the Ujoints. The stock Ujoint is held in place with plastic. The shop mentioned melting the plastic out, then slowly tapping out the old Ujoint caps. Hopefully the pic lets you know what you are up against. I paid $66 a piece for the Ujoints. Yes, I know they're slightly cheaper on the internet. Truck is my daily driver. I was driving my offroad Jeep to/from work. Driveline is very easy to remove from the truck. I think it's all 15mm.


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[Wooter]

Shudder

When this happens, do you have a load (Heavy trailer or some type) on the truck, and in 4WD? I had similar situation - With 2500# on the 5th wheel and when coming to, or starting up from a stop.

 

[MScheiper]

Thanks for all the help everyone! Truck is also my dd. It does it empty (no trailer or weight in the box) I'm thinking it might be the rear universal as I climbed under it today, I noticed that I could see the polished shaft of one of the points of the universal peeking out from the yoke. I have an infrared gun and will definitely take a ride and take a temp reading. Thanks for the great pic, will definitely help if this is the road I must go down.

 

[Dieseldemon]

It is the center ujoint raise the rear wheels off the ground and put it in gear and you will see the dr shaft jump up and down.

 

[wcjp]

I had all three done at the same time. While the middle Ujoint was bad, one of the others looked like it was next. I had 94k miles.

 

[MScheiper]

That's a good idea, thanks dieseldaemon! wcjp, did your test and turned out the rear u joint is bad. Front were about 68-70 degrees(it's about 65 deg ambient temp today), back was at 124 degrees. Will have to order and replace. Thanks to all for all the help! Al least now I know what it is. You guys really put my mind at ease on a Sunday afternoon

 

[cerberusiam]

If you have close to 50k replace all of them or you will be back doing the others soon. Put in the greasables and call it good.