Shudder when taking off from stop

[JThiessen]

I've recently noticed a a shudder when taking off from a stop and making a left hand turn (such as coming off a freeway off ramp). I havent noticed it when making a right hand turn. It only lasts for a second or two - kinda feels like a brake grabbing a little, or a clutch slipping a little - but it definitely feels as though its at the rear wheels. I have an auto with limited slip (have had this set up in my '97 and '99 and never noticed this before). Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Wil_H]

I have noticed that too. I think that it is actually wheel jump as these things have a great deal of power and the engine is trying to spine the tire. I CAN'T turn left out of the gravel road here without throwing stones

 

[EB]

Believe you will find it is your limited slip diff. They say you don't need any limited slip additive with the synthetic fluid in the rear end but I'll bet if you put some in it will solve the problem.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Additive wont help because we don't have traditional clutch packs. After a few miles it will quit binding.

 

[dgardner]

It's driveline chatter, if you look at the drive line you will see the cheesy carrier they have. It needs to lowered a couple of inches.

Dodge says its normal B. S.

 

[DHRA]

Mine did that too and I have been waiting for someone to post about it. I am at 4300 miles and it's barely there anymore. Seems to be going away.

 

[JThiessen]

I dont think its wheel hop - I dont get on it that much.

I also dont believe that it should be the limited slip. I've had Limited slip in both of my previous Dodges ('97, '99) and never experienced this same shudder. It also happend the other day while going straight. Hopefully it will "just go away" as D. S. P. 's is. Or maybe, it I just take off using W. O. T. , I wont notice it anymore!!!!

 

[SRadke]

I get a noticeable shudder when takeing off in first and second gear pulling a heavy trailer. No limited slip diff and it does it in straight lines as well so I'm inclied to believe the carrier bearing theory. I don't get on it really hard, maybe half throttle but it's a stock standard output so this should be acceptable. I guess I'm just going too fast to notice when unloaded.

-Scott

 

[Steve M]

Launch shudder is common. The axle tries to rotate the opposite direction of the wheels when we take off. The misaligned driveshaft angle briefly causes the shudder. I wonder if a good old fashioned set of traction bars would do the trick? The length of our rear leaf springs just adds to the shudder. A set of Helwig helper springs might help control axle twist a little.

 

[dgardner]

drive line chatter

thanks for the info, I just turned 6000 it's still there I hope it goes away! Dodge ordered a kit that lowers it an 1" they said some times it takes 2 or more apparently not all do it but it has been going on for several years its an old problem. this is the first time I've felt it but it is also my first auto in 6 cummins P/U's. and it is under light throttle load or no load I'll fill you in in a week or two.

C7_