Vibration (or better yet, lack of vibration)

[Briman]

Hi, I took my replacement truck for a 75 mile drive today and am happy to say that there is no front drive line vibration. I was concerned that there would be no improvement. The truck is the same as the '03, except for LSD. I drove the truck to be sure that I did not succumb to the same problem twice.



A couple of other things I noticed that are not vibration related: The windows (front and back) no longer have tint film on them (tint in the glass) & the power seats don't have an electric lumbar support adjustment (manual wheel). I also think the rear speakers sound better now.



I hope the DC arbitrator does not stick it to me for the miles I put on the old truck. I have had the vibration since it was brand new and look forward to not dealing with it in the future. The new truck does not have anymore or any less drone than the old truck.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Glad to hear you got a good one this time.

 

[Summit]

you dont know what your mileage penalty is? are you SURE that you were awarded a replacement vehicle?



my mileage penalty was { puchase price X ?mi ~ 120,000. }

~(divide)



my arbitrator based my penalty by the mileage that was put on the arbitration paper. not the mileage that it was first brought in for that problem (853):{

 

[Briman]

Summit, At this point I'm only sure that they allowed me to order a new truck, the new truck is in, and it does not have the front end vibe. The next part is completing the arbitration. We did not agree to anything prior to ordering the truck.



I'm not sure I understood your formula. So I used new purchase price on the '03 * mileage ~ 120,000 = $8,300. 00 (gag). That is no better than a trade. This is a collateral exchange. If your example is the case I will take the buyout.



Did you tell them no, that was not acceptable?



I'm remaining positive and hoping for the best.

 

[Summit]

i dont understand your deal????

they let you order a new truck(6-8wks) but you havent met with the arbitrator yet?

how do you know that you have been awarded a replacement??

is the dealer giving you a replacement?and not DC?



examlpe; $36,000 times 20,000mi divided by 120,000= $6000. 00 mileage penalty.



i won arb. first and then i was told to find a new vehicle.



i tried to do a buyback but the arb. said no his decision was for a replacement only.



i think they are going to pressure you into trading.

 

[curatchko]

Well... ... . I think my 04 has a vibration issue. I hesitate to call it a vibration, but more of a resonance type vibration. I can't pin point the source, but it's speed related, and it's in the whole truck. VERY subtle though... . I believe it is from the Drive Shaft at this moment... Definately not going to the dealer for it though... . don't need them prodding around this thing, ya just can't trust em.



Seems to be right at about 2000 rpm, 70 mph, at it's peak. None really prior to 70, and it tapers off above 70 to 80. It's not noise, but it's definately mechanical.....



From my own experiences, I'm pretty convinced it's driveshaft related... but so subtle that I'm leaving it alone... . for now.



Chris

 

[CATCRACKER]

dads 5 day old ctd has the vibe

 

[DPKetchum]

IT (drone)is still with us!!

 

[Gadgetman]

Originally posted by curatchko

Well... ... . I think my 04 has a vibration issue. I hesitate to call it a vibration, but more of a resonance type vibration. I can't pin point the source, but it's speed related, and it's in the whole truck. VERY subtle though... . I believe it is from the Drive Shaft at this moment... Definately not going to the dealer for it though... . don't need them prodding around this thing, ya just can't trust em.



Seems to be right at about 2000 rpm, 70 mph, at it's peak. None really prior to 70, and it tapers off above 70 to 80. It's not noise, but it's definately mechanical.....



From my own experiences, I'm pretty convinced it's driveshaft related... but so subtle that I'm leaving it alone... . for now.



Chris

I was told the TSB to be released next week is a new p/s line,I ordered it ,and had it put on my truck yesterday. It seems to have helped but not eliminated the vibration. In all fairness though this is my 1st diesel,so I'd really like to drive one that doesn't have the vibration to know what's normal and what's not. And I've only driven the truck about 40 miles since it was installed and 1/2 of that was through the infamous So Cal traffic,(a little hard to get to the vibration rpm range at 15-30 mph on the freeway). I'll report further findings after driving it more this weekend.

 

[DPKetchum]

Its the DRONE! Its harmonics!

 

[jman]

I think the drone and the vibration are two seperate issues. I have a very bad vibration in the steering and it is way worse when it is cold, which makes sense because of the PS fluid being a little thicker. It is not speed related either, but rpm related. When it is cold the vibration is a lot earlier in the rpm band than when it is warm, but when everything gets good and hot it is up at 2000+. Mine is very annoying on cold mornings. I am taking it in to get a door seal replaced this week so I will get on my soapbox and see if I can get it toned down a bit.

 

[curatchko]

Originally posted by DPKetchum

Its the DRONE! Its harmonics!

I have no drone in my truck.

 

[wyosteve]

Well, my TDR membership just saved me 13k. I located a new 03 near here. Test drove it last Tues. on a short drive over some rough roads. Couldn't get it up to any sustained speed, so went back Sat. to drive it again. I found out what you guys mean by vibration. On completely smooth road, from 65 to 69 mph. the seat was vibrating, steering wheel was shimmying and the vibration in the rear view mirror was enough to blur the vehicles behind me. The truck was an Oct. 02 build so has been on the lot for a year now. Maybe the vibration is the reason. Ticks me off though because I finally found a dealer willing to be reasonable. ( Of course maybe they were reasonable because they knew about the vibration). Guess I'll just keep lookin.

 

[Briman]

Information is a good thing, especially if it kept you from buying a bad truck. I read on another board that AAM wants to change the frequency of the drive line damper, apparently they wanted that from the beginning. Probably cost more per vehicle so it got left out. From what I'm reading the rear drive line excites the transfer case. It must rely on the front drive line being in place to produce the vibration.



I believe there are three distinct things going on with these trucks. 1 - drone associated with turbo/exhaust. 2 - vibration from the power steering pump. 3 - Drive line vibration. Not all trucks have the drive line vibration, at least to the degree that mine does. Not all trucks have the same amount of steering pump vibration either. I have to believe that most trucks have the drone, it's just that not everybody is as sensitive to it as others. As a matter of fact, all three of these things might or might not be a bother to the owner, depending how they drive and how sensitive they are to whats going on with their truck.

 

[DPKetchum]

I agree 100%. Can't see how some have a drone(it)and others don't but can on drive line and power steering. I stated in another thread D. C. (star)sent a power-steering line to the dealer I deal with with no forewarning or a name. Just a vin number. Then the next day they called and said Don't install it. It was a mistake but obviously they had a thing then(6 months ago)about power-steering.

 

[jman]

I also agree. I think when the drone issue came up every other noise and problem got referred to as a drone when it really wasn't. I don't have a driveline vibration yet, but I do have a drone and a definite PS vibration.



Does anyone know when the TSB for the PS problem will be out? I don't want to go in until I have ammo in writing that there is such a thing going on. It is such a hassle dropping things off at the dealer I hate to do it more than necessary.



Any info on the TSB would be apprecitated.

 

[Summit]

two different things

my 03 had the steering wheel vib. (harmonic buzz) 67-78or so, my new 04 has NO steering wheel vib. , but has a drone in O. D. rpm's dont seem to matter. if it's in O. D. it has a drone. it's like something is wrong with O. D. in my truck. taking tech for a ride tomorrow.

 

[klenger]

Two questions:



1) Is the vibration problem only found on 4WD's?



2) Are these noises new to the 3rd gens, or are they just now being noticed becuase the engine noise is gone.

 

[Johnstra]

Briman - How do you differentiate #2 from #3? I suspect my truck has #2, but I'd like to be sure. Will #2 occur if I take it out of gear and bring the RPMs up to ~1950?

-john

 

[SLinse]

the power steering vib you can feel ALL the time, at least I can in my 04. The driveline vib would be felt only while you are driving. I don't know all the details of the driveline vib, mine dosen't do it, juts the PS vib. It's actually at the dealer know getting looked at.