Vibration

[Cgarlet]

‘08 2500 with 239,000 on the clock. It starts to vibrate at about 70 mph and gets worse till over 80. Tires and wheels have been both replaced and balanced, both axel u-joints have been replaced along with one hub. I’ve tried 3 drive shafts and replaced the front diff yoke. If the front drive shaft is not installed I have no problem. I’m thinking of installing either SpynTec or dynatrac hubs to keep the front shaft from spinning. Any suggestions?

 

[Ozymandias]

First you should change your workshop and stop throwing parts at it.

At all it is fairly easy for a mechanic to determine if the vibration is at a low frequency - that means; wheel, brakediscs, axelshafts or the Differential. Or it is a high frequency - means; Driveshaft, Transmission (s), Engine related. It is a factor of 1:4 in the feel that IS easy to tell.

Next question, how much Lift has your Truck, or is it Stock.

I had Trucks in the workshop with a binding (not worn out) U-Joint in the Rear Driveshaft that stopped shaking without the Front Driveshaft installed, dont go to much for the Front Shaft when you have no visible wear and no Result when changing it.

Freespin Hubs are definitely not the cure for this, a factory Ram doesn't vibrate at all.

 

[Ozymandias]

Oh and even a perfectly balanced tire can make vibrations at a higher vehicle speed if it has a lateral run-out, there the only solution is to buy a new tire.
If have one of this cheap tires right no on my Durango, no way to drive over 70mph without harsh vibes. Perfectly balanced of course.

 

[Motorhead]

Have you checked the cardan joint on the front drive shaft? You don't say that the front drive shaft was ever replaced or rebuilt. I have replaced both rear u joints and have a high speed vibration at around 80 mph. I replaced the joints with genuine AAM joints and had trouble getting them to fit right. I have done many driveshaft, u joint replacements. I have a brand new steel drive shaft coming built up with Spicer u joints from Fort Wayne Clutch and driveline. All assembled and fully balanced.

 

[jgillott]

These vibrations are tough to track down. My '07 was down for weeks while I chased one recently. Keep in mind, it may not just be one thing that could cause a harmonic vibration at speed, but rather a combination of issues.

Here's my suggestion for a list of items to check.

- As mentioned above, front and rear drive shafts, universal joints etc.

Like Motorhead, I sent my shafts out to be professionally checked and balanced. Maybe not necessary, but worth it if you have the time.

- Check front and rear pinion bearings.

- Transmission to crossmember mount

- Engine mounts

- Output shaft bearings on both sides of the transfer case.

- All front end u-joints and steering components

- Check wheels and tires for balance, straightness, broken belts, missing weights, etc. If possible, swap your wheels and tires out for a set off of another truck and run it down the road.

- Here's an often overlooked one....check all brake compnents and hardware. A slightly warped rotor can create big vibrations even when the brakes aren't applied at speed. (This one burned me with a warped/untrue rotor out of the box).

Also, those rear calipers tend to hang for all sorts of reasons. Make sure you don't have one randomly hanging and adding to your issues.

 

[LFalconer]

These vibrations are tough to track down. My '07 was down for weeks while I chased one recently. Keep in mind, it may not just be one thing that could cause a harmonic vibration at speed, but rather a combination of issues.

Here's my suggestion for a list of items to check.

- As mentioned above, front and rear drive shafts, universal joints etc.

Like Motorhead, I sent my shafts out to be professionally checked and balanced. Maybe not necessary, but worth it if you have the time.

- Check front and rear pinion bearings.

- Transmission to crossmember mount

- Engine mounts

- Output shaft bearings on both sides of the transfer case.

- All front end u-joints and steering components

- Check wheels and tires for balance, straightness, broken belts, missing weights, etc. If possible, swap your wheels and tires out for a set off of another truck and run it down the road.

- Here's an often overlooked one....check all brake compnents and hardware. A slightly warped rotor can create big vibrations even when the brakes aren't applied at speed. (This one burned me with a warped/untrue rotor out of the box).

Also, those rear calipers tend to hang for all sorts of reasons. Make sure you don't have one randomly hanging and adding to your issues.

Hi just had vibe issue on my 06 with 130K, 2 items
1. Front caliper on pass side slightly dragging, replaced both calipers and pads and brake hoses. Vibe different
2. Replaced rear ds ujoints. Vibe gone, on the rack the ujoints seemed tight, but were vibing. I have towed some in the past, up to 14,500 lbs so have used the truck to capacity

Hope this helps
.Luke

 

[Missouri Mule]

Check to see if they loaded one of the tires with a lot of weights on one side. Of course you have new tires and wheels.
Shocks ok ?

 

[highjaxx]

Alignment checked?

Have you replaced any tie-rods, ball joints or the numerous other suspension components that keep everything tracking straight. 240K miles would guess your problem is here.