Truck Shake-Duallys

[Dukenrock]

Do any of you guys notice your truck shutter momentarilly at 3-4 mph upon start up? I took it to the dealership, they said they knew what it was, ordered a part, couldn't fix it and then said all duallys do it. (2004 1/2's)

 

[Winston Wolf]

Mine doesn't seem to do that. Takeoffs seem real smooth. But I've got less than 500 miles on it.

 

[Dukenrock]

I didn't think it was normal. Gets pretty annoying after 8,000 miles. Also it becomes exagerated when pulling a load.

 

[Cattletrkr]

This thread is the reason I joined. Been reading here for a while but I had to reply to this one.



I've had this same problem with mine since new. I now have almost 25k and it's getting worse. For the first few months it seemed as though the engine was 'missing'. Just a litle shudder on take off. It has since gotten much worse. Now when loaded I hear a light chirping and the whle truck shakes. I took the service manager for a ride yesterday and it wouldn't do it with an empty trailer. Still shook a little but not enough to find anything. He's been working on finding info for a while and he's waiting for DC to get back to him. They've (DC) "never had any problems like that before". Maybe someone here has had this and can help.



Just a footnote here... this shaking IS NOT AXLE WRAP OR LAUNCH SHUDDER. It only occurs at low speeds and quits before the engine produces any real amount of power. Once the rpm's start to climb it's gone.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

No shutter with my rig.

 

[RonsRig]

When you newbies post with questions like that you need to fill out your signature so folks know what kind truck you have. It makes it a lot easier for folk to identify with you. Quite often folks with similar rigs have similar problems. Do you have a 6-speed or auto? Are you bombed? Long or short bed? 4x4? Stuff like that.

 

[DPelletier]

There are a couple of different TSB's dealing with hesitation or shudder. Check http://dodgeram.info/tsb/index.html

 

[Cattletrkr]

Had sig filled out, guess it wasn't ready to show up yet. I'm not exactly new to diesel forums, just new to this one. Thanks for the website DPellletiter. Didn't have anything for me yet, but it might come in handy.

 

[RonsRig]

That is weird. You last post had your signature but your earlier post did not have it. Usually it is the other way around.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Not sure why, but "show sig" was unchecked on the first message. Got 'er working now though.



The way my trucks acts, I gotta beleve this is limited to 6spds only. It feels like a clutch issue. If it's the clutch, shouldn't the clutch have gone bye bye a long time ago. I guess it could be the more common launch shudder, but it's different than what most guys describe.



It's not keeping me off the road, so I'm just gonna let it get worse. Maybe then it'll be more diagnoseable. I'm not worried about my dealer saying "oops, your warranty is up now... ". I've got a dealer than "gets it".



Edit: OK, now my sig is playing musical chairs with me.

 

[RonsRig]

That is pretty funny. Now your signature is on your first post and not your second or third.



Every time you take your truck in for service, or whatever, complain about the clutch. If it is on record that you complained about it, when your warranty runs out they are obligated to fix it. At least that is the way it is in AZ.

 

[Fireman]

They had to move the carrier bearing on my driveshaft and replace the u-joint and yolk. There is a TSB out on this problem.



Smooth as silk now,

Fireman

 

[JRMora]

When my truck was new and I was getting the feel for it I thought there was a little shudder at launch. Since then, I only do zero throttle launches (no gas until the clutch is fully engaged) and it's smooth as silk. I must imagine that the clutch is the weak link in this system.



Anyway, I have about 25,000 miles now and no problems.



Juan

 

[Dukenrock]

I was told that it was due to a part that is supposed to take care of the driveshaft angle or something like that. They actually ordered two parts that were supposed to take care of it, but when they were unsuccessful, they told me it was the "Nature of the Dually". I told them I wanted it fixed, so they are seeing what they will do next.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Since then, I only do zero throttle launches (no gas until the clutch is fully engaged) and it's smooth as silk.

Juan

I almost never touch the accelerator until the clutch is out. The lone exception is when starting out uphill with about 27K behind me. Even the mighty cummins needs a little fuel to do that. Mine will shake when it's completely empty, no trlr no nuttin'.



Fireman, do you have the TSB # handy? I might have to give that a try. All they keep telling me is that "there's no TSB out on your truck", which I've had a hard time believing. Maybe if I went in there with a # they could find it.



Dukenrock, be very persistent about this one. This ain't my first dually, but this is my first pain-in-the-rear problem. "Nature of the dually" my a$$.



Hauled a load tonight with Dad behind the wheel and me trying to pay attention. Seems like it MIGHT be more noticeable when turning. Does that make any sense to anyone?

 

[Cattletrkr]

Finally I have an answer, I hope. Service Rep found the TSB (http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2004/03-003-04.htm--thanks again Dpelletier). Truck goes in next week. You're supposed to check driveshaft angle when LOADED and order the correct hanger bracket based on that measurement.



Up until now, every mention of launch shudder seems to indicate that the driver is more or less "sticking it" to the accelerator and that's not when my problem occurs. After discussing it with dealer guy I think what I'm experiencing is launch shudder after all. I'll know more in a week or so. I hope this helps 'cause shakng is getting worse. I wonder what else has gotten damaged as a result.

 

[GFritsch]

Had mine fixed today. They added a spacer. No more shudder.

 

[Cattletrkr]

TSB helped, but didn't fix the problem. Next step is to get ****** off and really raise hell. I'm gonna end up trashing my rear end the way this thing shakes on take off. Maybe my rear diff is the problem. Hard to tell from cab. Lots of "pinging" coming from back there. I'll probably add a few leaf sring to keep it level and see if that helps. "Nature of the dually" seems to be the answer I guess. Dodge gets an "F" in engineering 101 for this fiasco.

 

[Bug Out]

Launch shudder 05 4x4 dually

Mine has done this since the minute I drove off the dealer lot. I had read about it here before.



I now have 990 miles and same thing. I'm just praying I don't get the vibration at 68-72 like some have had... ...



I couild have kept my 97 which had neither problem... ...



Ed

 

[Dukenrock]

JD,

I went back to the dealership last week Monday and explained to them that when I bring my truck in for an oil change this month, I expect them to work on the shutter launch again. I said I was giving him some advance warning to get with his tech and Dodge to see what they want to do. His A-None explaination to me was... "We already tried to fix it, there's nothing else we can do". I told him "NOT". My neighbor owns the dealership (That's not where I purchased the truck-They couldn't get any duallys at the time) so I don't want to complain to Dodge. I will give them one more chance to fix it. If they can't, I was offered by the selling dealer that they would fix it. They are 3 hours away or I would have already had it there. One thing that really makes mine worse is that I have the complete Banks Kit on my truck. When you get on the accellerator this thing is a rocket and it really shakes bad at certain speeds. Especially when I'm towing. Oh yeah, the dealer also tried to blame the shake on my 19. 5 Rickson wheels! I told him nice try, but I informed you of the shake before the wheels were installed just fo that reason!