Starting out shutter all of a sudden

[richnedbal]

I have a 2005 2500 4x4 G56 6 speed 8' bed that has been flawless for 88K miles. But today, after a 200 mile trip at highway speeds, not towing, when I stopped at a stop sign, it shuddered pretty bad when taking off (in 2nd, not low-1st). It has never had any drive train issues.



I'm thinking the center drive shaft bearing but when I get under the truck the bearing looks okay. U joints seem fine too, and the clutch doesn't slip. It's smooth as glass at higher speeds.



If I go up a long hill, in second, with the clutch fully engaged, with the hill maintaining a load on the truck, it will shudder constantly. It isn't subtle - it's VERY noticeable. Shift into a high gear and things are fine.



Any ideas?

 

[MChessick]

It is probably the center bearing even though it doesn't look like it. You may have to adjust the pinion angle as well by putting shims under the center bearing. Pretty routine stuff. Good luck.



Pitcru

 

[richnedbal]

Any idea where I can buy one on-line?

 

[Regcabguy]

Save Big @ Mopar4Less.com!! - Full Line Of Mopar Parts - is one source. They typically discount 30%.

 

[Prairie Dog]

At that mileage, dried out u-joints are a high probability too ~ you can't always tell from the outside if they're any good. If your going to do the carrier then you may as well throw in some greaseable joints while it's on the bench.

 

[richnedbal]

Note: my clutch is a South Bend G56-OFEK

Well ... I replaced the drive shaft's center bearing and checked all the U-joints. Shudder is still there. So I called South Bend and they said it's possible for the clutch to do this. Since it happened quickly, I could have broke a spring in the disk, and since the spring is captured the balance at high speed would not be affected.

So The clutch is coming out today for diagnosis.

FWIW: Woody at South Bend was very helpful, professional, and no finger pointing. It's clear they will help me get to the bottom of this.

 

[Prairie Dog]

My SBE Con/Ofe has had a terrible shudder almost since it was new. Especially when it's cold ~ gets better when warm though. Does your behave like that?

I know I have to slip it rather hard once in awhile to grind off the little "hairs" that form, and that does make it better for a short time but I'm really am not happy with the engagement of this clutch at all.

 

[richnedbal]

I like the OFE clutch. Yeah, it's a little aggressive but that's what I wanted.

Now to my fix ... YES, my truck is fixed.
It's back to basics. I decided to remove the transmission and clutch but when the guys were pulling the truck on to the lift they decided to actually disassemble each u-joint first. Their first check was just moving the u-joints around, they didn't actually take the joints apart. Well guess what - they found one bad end on a u-joint. Replaced the joint and all is good again.

I'm a little upset that they didn't check those joints the right way the first time around like I asked - but I got my truck back for a lot less labor $, and it runs like new again.

 

[jelag]

I found that when we tried to move the u-joints and look for play we found none... but upon removal from the drive shaft, found them dried and worn... I'd sure push apart the u-joint before I removed the transmission...

 

[Prairie Dog]

Hmm, somebody posted about that I think... now who was it. . cant remember ~ maybe back in post #5? :-laf

But in all seriousness, which one was it? Seems like the one in the middle goes bad quite often ~maybe it gets more spray, dunno.

 

[richnedbal]

It was the middle U-joint.

 

[EDankievitch]

I had almost the same thing on two of the trucks I owned all was nice and smooth when starting out in the morning nice and cool but after a while on the highway it would start to vibrate the "U" joint at the rear end was dry and full of rust would bind when it got warm.