Vibration Fixed !!!

[DUBLR]

After a new trans, transfer case, changing the pinion angle, the PS TSB, removing the exhaust hangers, force balancing tires, balancing one drive shaft, replacing with a new drive shaft, we finally narrowed it down to the rear drive shaft. My dealer pulled a drive shaft from one that did not vibrate and guess what, it is gone finally! Must be a manufacturing issue. I hope this helps you guys, I’m back to liking my truck and time for a chip.

 

[OT-OF-HERE!!]

Originally posted by DUBLR

After a new trans, transfer case, changing the pinion angle, the PS TSB, removing the exhaust hangers, force balancing tires, balancing one drive shaft, replacing with a new drive shaft, we finally narrowed it down to the rear drive shaft. My dealer pulled a drive shaft from one that did not vibrate and guess what, it is gone finally! Must be a manufacturing issue. I hope this helps you guys, I’m back to liking my truck and time for a chip.

This thing is very complex and differs apparently with various trucks. I personally have had three different rear shafts in my truck and both front and rear rebalanced and two front shafts. They even removed the harmonics on the rear shaft on the original shaft. Pinion angles reset, tires balanced, (already have the "C" weights on the PS hose), exhaust bracket moved and removed, and both shafts were clocked and reclocked... . and all this and didn't get it. The only thing you mention I haven't had is the transfercase so I'm really hoping that on my truck that that is it and they agree to change it out. Apparently it is different things on different trucks. That's probably why we don't see a TSB fix on this virbration/droan thing on so many trucks. It's not a single problem. Unbelievable.

 

[DUBLR]

Ot of Here... ... . Agree on the complexity issue. Key is to cannibalize parts off one that does not have the vibe. How do you know your drive shafts are good ?

 

[OT-OF-HERE!!]

This is how...

The droan has not changed from the outset. The vibration has been reduced by probably 75% through the latest things that were done, which were,... two new shafts were tried most recently (rears) the first came off a brand new truck with no miles and it made the situation worse,. . the second came from their parts dept,... it helped and was better than it had been to that point. Then they began tweeking the pinion angles front and rear and they were able to in comination with the new rear shaft reduce the vibration quite a bit. My thing is this,... I feel they have addressed the affect and not the cause. I feel it is the transfercase and have since early on in my quest to get this thing fixed. Why? I can remember one post by the guy that claimed to have the vibration that was a 2wd. Virtually all the posts about this are from guys who have the transfercase. Then you'll find that most, not all of those are swb quad cabs with the auto. I've changed and upgraded my exhaust because I wanted to but also to eliminate another possibility. rIt's been a process of elimination on my truck, but they know I am not seeking a buyback and I just want my problem fixed and I will not go away. I will go to any level at the dealership or DCX until this is fixed period. I love my truck and have done a number of things to it appearance wise and I think it's a cool truck and the one I've dreamed of having. I will have a fix or their lifes (everyone involved) will be as miserable as mine. Currently they are cooperating and I believe they are in agreement with me that only one stone has not been turned,. . the transfercase. Only two guys on this site and another have had resolution am I convinced they had exactly the same problem as I and they both got a fix with a transfercase. Hence my persistence.

 

[DUBLR]

Sounds all to familiar and I listened to your opinion on replacing the TC and pushed the dealer to replace it with the transmission swap. It did not work in my case.

 

[OT-OF-HERE!!]

Ooooppppsss!

Originally posted by DUBLR

Sounds all to familiar and I listened to your opinion on replacing the TC and pushed the dealer to replace it with the transmission swap. It did not work in my case.

Well all I can hope for is that it will work on mine. Also, after they get done with that I have planned a transmission upgrade to handle the power I'm seeking so if anything is wrong there hopefully it will be caught when they work on the transmission.

 

[curatchko]

The only thing I haven't done is replace the front driveshaft. I've been through 2 rear driveshafts, and a rear end... neither fixed it. I plan to just do the rest of the work myself... . these dealers are NOT equipped, nor qualified to problem solve... these guys are just simple monkeys that can turn a nut, and sometimes that's too much.

 

[Grunt]

Took my truck into the dealer this morning for a new alternator bracket and mentioned the vibration... after their test drive etc they ordered a new front drive line. Hope it works.

 

[Pratcliff]

My new truck (2500 QC,SWB, 4WD, AUTO, 66CTD) had a very harsh vibration at 70mph that was felt in the steering wheel, seats, floorboards and transfer case shift lever. The vibration was speed related and not RPM sensitive. In tow-haul mode it still did not vibrate untill 70mph and I could take it up to 80 in OD, shift to neutral and coast. The vibration would still occur at 70 with the engine at idle speed. My dealer first removed the rear driveshaft, plugged the transfer case and we test drove. No change was felt. Next he reinstalled the rear shaft and removed the front shaft. Now the vibration was about 50% reduced. The dealer ordered a new front shaft. He reinstalled the new front shaft and we test drove. Now the vibration was about its original intensity. I was pressing for a new transfer case but the dealer wanted to first try high speed balancing both shafts. The rear shaft checked out OK. The dealer had to remove the large yoke at the end of the front shaft to install it in the balancing machine. The shaft checked out OK. The dealer then decided to rotate the yoke 180 degrees on the shaft before reinstalling. When we test drove, the vibration was completely gone. There was no drone, no noise and the transfer case lever had no more vibration at 70 than it had at 50. The difference was unbelievable. I have only driven it about 100 miles since the fix, so it remains to be seen if it is permanent.

 

[OT-OF-HERE!!]

Finally!

My quest has ended. I had 5 shafts in my truck, pinion angles tweeked, both shafts clocked 180*, changed out my entire exhaust, and still had the vibration/droan. 4 months later,... finally. They replaced the transfercase and the vibration is 95% gone. And the other 5% may be in my head at this point as for 4 months all I did was to try things and then try to determine if any of it had helped. I think if I really concentrate there may be the slightest of vibration still there or as I said it may be just me at this point. I have managed to change the droan sound or pitch or resonance sequencing by messing with my exhaust. With my present setup it is not that objectionable. For those who would say it's just a diesel,... bs! I had the '04 model and had none of the above, and thought I would upgrade to the 04. 5 and finally now I feel I have upgraded. Had I known what I would go through to get there,... I'd have never made the trip however. My advice,... this 600 is a very potent machine and I love the truck, which is why I never went for a buyback, but I'd sure recommend a thorough test drive at highway speeds for at least 100 miles. Be sure you lock it in and out numerous times also. Be sensitive to the sound and feel of the test truck starting at about 68mph on up. Also get to speed at say 75 or better and just let off the throttle. Mine would have a feeling like a U joint that was bad. Early on I pulled the front shaft and there was no vibration. I ended up with 2 different front shafts and 3 different rear shafts to get to happy haven. Also I agree with a previous post above mine where the guy states that it's not rpm related but rather speed. On mine I would put it on tow mode at the same rpm and no vibration. It does seem that different things have fixed different guys trucks so that's why we're not seeing a tsb on this thing. Right now I'm really happy I stuck with it and followed through to the end. Good luck to those who are still fighting it. Press on.