Shudder when starting out

[Tardog]

My buddy just got a new 04 3500 CTD auto. Went for a ride with him today. Nice truck, like the brakes and steering, DON'T like the way this thing shudders when taking off from a dead start and empty, I did a search and someone mentioned the LSD is mechanical and this is what is doing it. I'm not impressed I figure a $50K CDN. truck should be as smooth as glass at a take off. Does anyone have any more experience with this, is this a common thing? Another question, do these trucks come without a catalytic converter from the factory, He's always been a C**V man so I hope this doesn't't turn him off the Dodge. Gonna get him signed up with the TDR. Thanks in advance

 

[GCrowell]

Shudder on launch

Tardog,



I just got my 04. 5 600 3500 48RE and have less than 100 miles on it so this may be premature. I do notice the slight shudder when launching. It feels like my 02 did when rounding a sharp corner. I was going to wait until I had a few more miles on it before posting but it does sound like your buddy's. Mine is not too objectionable but is noticeable. I can't imagine how the LSD would cause this when launching on a dry, flat, straight surface but that is what is feels like.



Mine does have the cat on it. It is a big thing shaped like an overgrown football.



It's early yet but I am satisfied with mine.



George

 

[wyosteve]

I also noticed the shudder in 2 trucks I test drove. An 03 and 04. Almost felt a bit like the clutch was slipping. Hope someone can give a definitive answer.

 

[BTurpin]

mine also shuddered slightly when starting out. 4500 miles now and don't notice it now. Not sure if it went away or got used to it.

 

[Jengle]

I have an 04, picked it up in late Oct. Never has shuddered, and now have 8k miles on it. Towed several times with 7k loads and one run of 500 miles with a 4k load on the back. Hope you get it figured out.

 

[jackcaptjr]

04 with 6spd. Noticed it when starting out in 2nd. Truck now has about 5K miles and it is all but gone. Started going away when I quit babying it.

 

[GLeishman]

Slight shudder

I noticed it on my truck early on, it now has 9400 miles on it, I think it's just the way the truck was at first, don't notice it anymore.

 

[Rosco]

My early '03 with the SO/47re combo had a shudder from the rear axle. If I recall by the time I sold it with 7,000 miles the shudder was gone.

 

[draymorris]

Mine did not do this at all until about 30k, and then only did it when I was loaded heavy and turning sharp on the take-off. Now I can feel it when I take-off straight with my trailer empty. I think my rear end is eating itself because it produces a lot of metal on the magnet. However, I have not ruled out the clutch yet.



keep us informed.

 

[Tardog]

Interesting responses. Seems like a tuff one to pin point, transmission (auto) or rear end. It just doesn't seem right, I have a hard time with the wearing in thing. It's not a noise it is an actual shudder. Like driving over those little cross bars on the pavement to wake you up when comming up tp an intersection or ramp?

 

[Prairie Dog]

Mine had the shutter too when is was new. After a few thousand miles it went away.

 

[ddutil]

Mine always had it, most noticeable when loaded. STAR told my dealer it was 'by design', caused by the two pieces shaft. Mine is short box, 2x4, NV5600. Quite different combination than yours, and 25k mi on the counter.



Have your dealer check your shaft alignement.



HTH, Dan

 

[Tardog]

to the top

 

[WKlammer]

I recently had the 15000 mile service recommended by DC. On Saturday I hauled a load of hay and everything was fine but we drove about 35 miles on I-25 and when I would turn left at a intersection it would shudder. I tried it right and it wouldn't but left it would do it consistently but only when I started out.



Sunday, I tried it again and it wouldn't do it. Took it to the dealer and they said it possibly was a "air bubble" ??? in the gears.

 

[FParlee]

I shudder to think????????

My 04. 5 has 5k on it now, and it does the shudder on take-off too.



We had an informal get-together here in SE Penna, and from what I heard, there was talk of it being the springs wrapping under starting torque.



Can't prove it, but thats what I heard.



my 2 shiny coppers,



Fred

 

[robobx]

mine has started shuddering recently. but didn't until I had over 50,000 miles. now I'm at 57,000 and it only does it on take off in 2nd gear until just about 1500rpm.

I don't think it's spring wrap.





mines a 6 spd

 

[ChrisKringle]

My buddies D-Max, triple chipped, shudders on every start. Mine now does it, after adding boxes. Think it's "torque converter" shudder, just what I heard.

 

[SRadke]

I get a shudder but only when loaded. The added weight flattens out the springs and changes the pinion angle thus creating an axle wrap situation. It's not the LSD because I don't have one.



-Scott

 

[ceastmen]

First of all - the limited slip has absolutely nothing to do with the shudder problem - no flames intended!



I took mine into the dealer for the "shudder on take off problem". The Dealer (Johnson Auto Plaza in Brighton, CO. ) said they had a factory rep drive the truck and they both acknowledged the problem.



They said "DC is looking into it and will probably issue a TSB for the problem. " - so when pigs fly it will be fixed



They tracked the problem to the driveline, most likely the carrier bearing support location (i. e. the angle and location of the bearing with respect to the rest of the rear driveline).



I have an 04. 5, 2500 Quad Cab, Long Bed, with the Auto



Has anyone else seen any a TSB for this "shudder problem"?

 

[wyosteve]

Ceastmen, keep us posted on what you come up with. I just got my truck last Wed. from Johnson Auto Plaza. I notice a slight shudder on take off as well.