Vibration and hum at highway speeds

[MSilva]

I would like to hear from members who are experiencing the same specific symptoms as I am and what the solutions for a fix has been if any. My problems seem to be speed specific not RPM specific like many others. The vibration and Hum start to become noticeable at 70mph in od and peaks at 75-77mph then starts to taper off and around 85 the hum and vibration stop. This happens

at the same speeds with the od off except I stopped at 75 because of the high rpms I put it in neutral reeved between 2000 thru 2600 and experienced no hum or vibration. Any advice

appreciated. The dealer wanted to replace the front shaft but I

have not been free to do it and kind of scared of them messing with my truck.

Thanks Marc

 

[rbattelle]

Check out this list of the vast number of threads that discuss the issue:



Some vibration threads listing

 

[CLWilliams]

My vibration turned into a replacement of the driver's side hub and bearing assembly and possibly more to follow... ... see my post "Scared to Death"! Search "death wobble".

 

[curatchko]

Yep, I have it too... . though it's minor, but appears to peak right at 70 mph, or 2000 rpm..... past 75 it tapers off... . and pre 2000 rpm it's not there.



It's a truck. If we wanted Cadillacs we should have bought Cadillacs.



I wouldn't complain too much, we could be driving a Furd and having 6 liter failures or driving Chebbies and having trans failures.



Chris

 

[wyosteve]

Not trying to flame anyone, but what is up with this, "It's a truck... " So what--does that mean we should accept the vibration problems? My 01 has over 100k and has no vibration like some of the 03"s. If we take the attitude that it's just a truck, DC will continue to cheapen and cut costs wherever they can since we'd be like dumb sheep, i. e. buying whatever they produce. Done venting now, thanks.

 

[curatchko]

It's a truck... . because they do in fact have clunks, growels, howels, and noise vib's... .



People want these things to be silent and then wonder why we're paying close to 50k for a pick up truck!!!!!!!!!



The question is, are these vib's perceived or actual? I'm betting that these vib's are the result of exhaust drones and nothing more... . in most cases.

 

[mehaffydr]

I have a new 04 only 5400 miles I have a vibration that is between 65 mph thru 75 mph It is a definate vibration not exhaust drone. It is not severe butt is a pain to deal with. Itt feals like a drive shaft out of balance. I have not had my truck in to the dealer yet but at the first oil change I will have them check this out. Just because its a truck doesnt mean it shouldnt be built right.

 

[curatchko]

Well let us know what the dealer says I'll be curious. I've thought it was a driveshaft vib too, but now I'm pretty convinced it's sound... . transfering as vib's.

 

[Briman]

Marc, What is the build date of your '03? you can find the MDH (month, day, hour) on the sticker on the drivers door. Have the dealer take out the front drive shaft and take it for a ride. My vib goes away with the front shaft out but the dealer has not been able to fix it in 10 months. They have replaced the front shaft, the tail shaft on the transfer case, shimmed the rear drive line, balanced the rear drive line, installed adjustable ball joints and played with the caster settings. At this point I think the carrier bearings in the front diff need to be looked at, as well as the u joints at the end of the front axles, but my dealer wont have that opportunity while I own the truck. According to my dealer this problem mostly afflicted early '03 trucks. Mine was built September fifth, '02. My dealer has replaced three trucks because of this and hopefully mine will be the forth. I totally disagree with those that say a truck should be allowed to be designed with these built in vibrations. Mine is not perceived and is a total annoyance (just like the factory delivered bent chrome rims on my '95 were not perceived), in addition to being hard on drive line components. As we know, DC has worked on the hydro pump thing and who knows about the drone (it). Most of these problems are the result of poor engineering and cost cutting by DC. I bet they are resolved though, before the end of the 3G body style.

 

[KBennett]

Current mileage: 6020

Mine only does it more between 68 and 72 and either I have gotten used to it or it seems to have improved. I am thinking of taking it in to have the power steering TSB performed because I feel it more in the steering wheel.



I do agree that it is a design flaw and Dodge needs to take a serious look at the problem.

 

[curatchko]

Is the TSB for 04's? I thought the steering problem was only for 03's???

 

[KBennett]

TSB?

I thought it was for any truck with the problem. I am going to take it in after the holidays and will let you know unless someone else here knows. Mine is an early '04.

 

[MSilva]

Briman,

My truck build date was January of 2003. It was built in Mexico

if that matters any. I probably will take it in after the holidays and

have them put the new front shaft on. Once the Bugs are worked out it will be a great truck.

 

[Blakers]

I think there's an exhaust drone at rpms higher than 2000 that many people mistake for a vibration. If I keep my truck between 1600-2000 rpm it has a nice Cummins purr. Almost like my 12 valve did, but not near as nice as the 12 valve. I could drive that truck all day with the radio off, just listening to that purr.

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by curatchko

Is the TSB for 04's? I thought the steering problem was only for 03's???

Chris,



If your truck looks like this, it doesn't need TSB 19-008-03.



Dean



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[curatchko]

Well,



I take back all the cadillac comments. Either this thread has made me more sensitive to it, or my vibration seemed to get worse on the way home from work today!!! It's still a resonant type vib, like a driveshaft vib... . but, it seems more rpm related than mph related..... it's starting to make my steering wheel transfer the vibs to my hand..... and I can feel it in the pedal now too... . 1 month old truck don't like thinking about taking it to the ST-ealer. I'll end up with more 'gifts' like scratchs and such... .



What a PITA!!!!!!!!!

 

[curatchko]

Well I called my dealer and asked them to set up an appointment to put that steering hose on, since mine doens't have hte damper on it. They are telling me that TSB is not for my VIN... ... . !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[RankRam]

I just left my dealer and told them what they needed to hear and they have odered the part. I will report back when they swap out the hose. My vibe is nothing bad but its there so I'll see how much of a change it makes.

 

[kgooch1]

just picked up new truck yesterday and have 2000 rpm and up vibration and very bad drone. drone seems to be exhaust related and vibration seems to be driveline related.

 

[Steve M]

With almost 21,000 miles on mine, the vibration has smoothed out to a very tolerable level. I wish it were as smooth and quiet as my buddy's 2500 HEMI but, I don't think it'll ever be. All four of my Dodge Cummins trucks have droned and vibrated at 2100rpm.