Shuddering with load

[Sleeping Giant]

I have 5,000 miles on my new 2018 3500 DRW. I noticed when I'm loaded with my trailer and starting off and turning it shudders pretty hard. Same thing when reversing from a stop and have the wheels slightly turned. Is this normal? It's pretty much done it since day one. I'm guessing something to do with the limited slip in the rear end. Should I change the fluid out and add some limited slip additive? I checked the fluid and it looks pretty cloudy, almost like thin mud.

 

[Ram4Sam]

I have 5,000 miles on my new 2018 3500 DRW. I noticed when I'm loaded with my trailer and starting off and turning it shudders pretty hard. Same thing when reversing from a stop and have the wheels slightly turned. Is this normal? It's pretty much done it since day one. I'm guessing something to do with the limited slip in the rear end. Should I change the fluid out and add some limited slip additive? I checked the fluid and it looks pretty cloudy, almost like thin mud.

My 2016 did this at roughly 10,000 miles.....Put in some Mobil 1 and no more chatter.....

Sam

 

[sag2]

The only time the diff will shudder is if your taking off around a corner. If it does it straight ahead it is drive line shudder. If it does it loaded only, you can get a shorter center bearing support bracket. If you only load it up occasionally just ignore it. If you correct it loaded it may shudder unloaded. Been going on for a dozen or more years.

 

[Cummins12V98]

You need to get rid of that Dog I TRIED TO BY-PASS THE CUSSING FILTER gear lube. Run AMZ/OIL 75-110 with NO additive and you won't have another issue.

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[Cummins12V98]

The only time the diff will shudder is if your taking off around a corner. If it does it straight ahead it is drive line shudder. If it does it loaded only, you can get a shorter center bearing support bracket. If you only load it up occasionally just ignore it. If you correct it loaded it may shudder unloaded. Been going on for a dozen or more years.

I had the EXACT same condition with my HEAVILY loaded DRW. It was the lube. See the report, it was toast.

 

[gsfitzsr]

I had the same issue every time I backed out of my driveway and took off. It started just after the truck was at the dealership having the front axle housing replaced. I'm sure they put the OEM oil back in but I drained both axles and used regular non-synthetic oil, 85-140W. No problems after that.

My truck is a 2018 CTD

 

[Too Tall]

Same here but mine howled also, ended up with a new AA axle assembly. Take it back and make them fix it.

 

[Cummins12V98]

"I'm sure they put the OEM oil back in but I drained both axles and used regular non-synthetic oil, 85-140W. No problems after that."

WHY??? Would you use non synthetic on a VERY expensive truck that clearly states "SYNTHETIC" for the axle lube.

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[gsfitzsr]

"I'm sure they put the OEM oil back in but I drained both axles and used regular non-synthetic oil, 85-140W. No problems after that."

WHY??? Would you use non synthetic on a VERY expensive truck that clearly states "SYNTHETIC" for the axle lube.

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Because a local AAM authorized repair facility told me to stop using the synthetic based oils. And because I had to replace the ring and pinion in my truck after 17K miles because it became very noisy at 60MPH and above. This happened after towing my 11K lb. RV to California and back from Houston.

The shop told me the synthetic based fluids do not hold up in severe or heavy duty applications. So I'm taking their advice and switched both axles to non-synthetic based oils.

 

[sag2]

I think you need another shop. I'm not an oil engineer but from everything I do know synthetic offers superior protection especially in extreme temps. I doubt your ring and pinion failed because it was filled with synthetic, but I suspect Ron will challenge that!

 

[jelag]

I had the same problem at around 50K miles, and finally changed the oil with an AMSOIL HD Synthetic. Problem has been gone for 30K miles... before I leave my winter residence and start towing again... I'm going to change that oil again... just to be on the safe side.. I was not a fan of the shudder...