shudder in 1st gear when hauling?

[Bruce Allen]

I haul alot of heavy loads (2000-4000 lbs) in the bed and get what I call shuddering in first gear when starting from a light. Is this due to axle wrap, over loading or a transmission problem?

 

[SRadke]

It's a combination of axle wrap and poor pinion angle.



-Scott

 

[JHardwick]

It's dry sticky ujoints.

 

[jwilliams3]

Is your truck a 6 speed long wheel base?

 

[Bruce Allen]

Yes, 2003 6-speed longbed

 

[CUMMINZ]

I have a shudder in first gear (auto) while turning to the left under load.

 

[jwilliams3]

Well first thing.

Get some #351 (this is the 6 speed U joint part number) (#295 for Auto)Precision U joints that are greasable.

These are available at www.rockauto.com



Replace all 3 rear U joints.



2. Add about a 1/4" give or take piece of metal between your carrier bearing and housing.



This should cure your problems indefinitely.



Been there and done this. NO SHUDDER AT ALL NOW!!



PS keep the Joints lubed!!



If you go to your dealer they are just going to replae with the factory non-greasable junk U joints and you'll be back there again and again... .

 

[SRadke]

My factory u-joints are still sealed and smooth. It was 100% spring wrap/pinion angle in my case.

 

[jwilliams3]

Thats what I thought about mine too.

Until one virtually froze up and I could really FEEL the shudder.

It was about to come apart.



If you were angled bad enough to the point of shudder than at least one of the joints is going bad.



The worst one in my case was the Joint @ the transfer case.

 

[DPKetchum]

I think theres a TSB on this. Its to check drive line angles with it loaded and order install shims. Check the TSB'S. Its NOT a long or in depth adjustment.

 

[jwilliams3]

Correct there is a TSB to fix the angle.

But, the angle causes the joints to go bad prematurely.



The way people found out about the bad joints were the bad angles.