Vibrations can't be fixed

[blacksheep4x4]

The have had problems with the bell housings not being machined right. Which puts th trans off to one side just enough to cause prblems. A local shop here in town has seen this alot when they go to repower a ford or chevy with a cummins.

 

[blacksheep4x4]

Make sure they check the universal joints very close. My truck was in the shop for a month and a half because of a vibration nobody could figure out. I finally got fed up with the dealer and took it to a local shop. The guy took the shafts out and took the caps off the u-joints and found two bad ones. They were the same two that a dodge tech checked by trying to twist the joint in his hand. Had he actually taken the caps off and checked the bearing surface he would have saved the dealer from having to replace a transmission, throw out bearing, carrier bearing, rear gears, front pinion gear, and a bill from the local shop for having to fix it. Mind you I'm not complaining about all the new parts I got out of the whole ordeal.

 

[steved]

I just got my truck about 3 weeks ago, 2005, and I also have the vibration around 65MPH. Its not too too bad, just wondering if its even worth getting into with the dealer about this. Does it get worse with time?

Mine hasn't gotten any worse... it seems to have gotten a little better changing the transfercase fluid.



Mine was actually a lot worse when new and has gotten slightly better with more miles... not much, just slightly.



steved

 

[ACF]

Stand your ground

I got my 05 because my 04 did the same thing. They did a buy back after 11 months and 22,000 miles. All I had to do was pay the difference in the price of the two trucks new and a small mileage penalty because I did not make them aware of the issue till the truck had 3,000 on it. The dealer was of no use at all, I went right to D. C. Don't put up with such an expensive product not being built right, stand your ground and document it all. This website was of some use to me as it shows that the problem in not just in your truck as some would have you believe.

 

[DMcAnulty]

My 2005 LWB SRW had the 70 MPH drone from the beginning. I realized what it was at 1800 miles and took it to the dealer. Most dealers, if they're honest, will tell you this is an issue with some 2003-2005 CTD's, especially those with an auto transmission. The dealer acknowledge I had "driveline noise" but deferred to the Regional DC Rep who emailed the dealer that the noise is "normal for that truck".



I never could get the Rep to call me to discuss the problem until I filed a Lemon Law Complaint in Texas. That produced a call from the Rep who was an arrogant sort who insisted there was nothing wrong with me truck. Because I had filed the complaint, however, he had me bring the truck in to a dealer so their Regional Tech could check out the truck. I did that and after putting 103 miles on my truck, stated it was performing as intended and was "normal".



A few weeks after this, I took the truck on a road trip and noticed the drone was diminished significantly. I became curious and inspected underneath where I discovered that the Tech had removed the metal support strap and grommet that connect the exhaust pipe as it comes down from the engine and attach to the bell housing.



I was pretty upset over DC's denial of a problem and then to find out they removed parts from the truck and don't even tell me. After communicating this to TXDOT and DC, a Negotiator from DC calls up and offers to give me a 7yr/100K warranty if I will settle. Before I made a decision, I asked to speak with their Tech who told me that the support strap he removed was put there in 2004. 5 to try to minimize the drone/vibration but in some cases, it increases it. He assured me that removing it wouldn't cause a later problem with the exhaust stability. He also said that several different conditions can cause the vibration and each truck has to be evaluated individually to diminish or stop the vibration. He believes that the vibration is caused by the combination of the HO engine, the front drive shaft turning all the time, and the lack of flex in the frames. The 2006 trucks have had some flex put back in them and there has been a significant drop in vibration complaints as a result.



DC elected to settle with me by paying me the retail value of their 7yr/100K premium warranty in lieu of going to a joint inspection under the Lemon Law Complaint. The bottom line is, if your truck has this drone, it is NOT "normal". If you can't live with it, you HAVE to do something affirmative to force DC to listen to your complaint or respond to you. The Dealer's hands are tied because DC won't reimburse them for replacing parts to resolve the vibration.



Perhaps I could have forced DC to give me a new truck, but I liked my truck from the beginning and just wanted the vibration to be stopped. In my case, removing the support arm diminished the drone significantly. DC's attempt to deny a known problem and then be sneaky about it cost them.

 

[FLynes]

The Dodge Dealer in Sierra Vista, Donovan Dodge

I was stationed at Fort Huachuca several times. The last time I was there, I had my 97 Gasser. Those morons at Donovan Dodge don't know their heads from their fourth point of contact. Go to Tuscon or Phoenix. I know it's a hike, but it's worth it. I dealt with the guys in Phoenix (I wish I could remember their name... they're a huge complex), and I was glad I did. The pressure sensor in my 46RE was trash, and the knuckleheads at Donovan Dodge told me that I had total pump failure and would need a new transmission... . btw, I didn't have total pump failure and towed my travel trailer back to Maryland, after the pressure sensor was replaced.



Frederic

 

[dmurdock]

My 2005 LWB SRW had the 70 MPH drone from the beginning. I realized what it was at 1800 miles and took it to the dealer. Most dealers, if they're honest, will tell you this is an issue with some 2003-2005 CTD's, especially those with an auto transmission. The dealer acknowledge I had "driveline noise" but deferred to the Regional DC Rep who emailed the dealer that the noise is "normal for that truck".



I never could get the Rep to call me to discuss the problem until I filed a Lemon Law Complaint in Texas. That produced a call from the Rep who was an arrogant sort who insisted there was nothing wrong with me truck. Because I had filed the complaint, however, he had me bring the truck in to a dealer so their Regional Tech could check out the truck. I did that and after putting 103 miles on my truck, stated it was performing as intended and was "normal".



A few weeks after this, I took the truck on a road trip and noticed the drone was diminished significantly. I became curious and inspected underneath where I discovered that the Tech had removed the metal support strap and grommet that connect the exhaust pipe as it comes down from the engine and attach to the bell housing.



I was pretty upset over DC's denial of a problem and then to find out they removed parts from the truck and don't even tell me. After communicating this to TXDOT and DC, a Negotiator from DC calls up and offers to give me a 7yr/100K warranty if I will settle. Before I made a decision, I asked to speak with their Tech who told me that the support strap he removed was put there in 2004. 5 to try to minimize the drone/vibration but in some cases, it increases it. He assured me that removing it wouldn't cause a later problem with the exhaust stability. He also said that several different conditions can cause the vibration and each truck has to be evaluated individually to diminish or stop the vibration. He believes that the vibration is caused by the combination of the HO engine, the front drive shaft turning all the time, and the lack of flex in the frames. The 2006 trucks have had some flex put back in them and there has been a significant drop in vibration complaints as a result.



DC elected to settle with me by paying me the retail value of their 7yr/100K premium warranty in lieu of going to a joint inspection under the Lemon Law Complaint. The bottom line is, if your truck has this drone, it is NOT "normal". If you can't live with it, you HAVE to do something affirmative to force DC to listen to your complaint or respond to you. The Dealer's hands are tied because DC won't reimburse them for replacing parts to resolve the vibration.



Perhaps I could have forced DC to give me a new truck, but I liked my truck from the beginning and just wanted the vibration to be stopped. In my case, removing the support arm diminished the drone significantly. DC's attempt to deny a known problem and then be sneaky about it cost them.

Was John your guy from TxDOT? That's who did mine. Very professional and a pretty well organized system they have for dealing with the Lemon Law.

 

[Briman]

I reported the vibration on my '03 to the dealer at 700 miles. Ten months later at 30300 miles the dealer let me have my new truck. They tried many things to repair it. The local DC rep also offered me a 100K mile max care extended warranty. I said, "you would do that for me. . " and then turned him down. Not long after that DC agreed to replacing the truck and buying back all options purchased at time of sale. I was fortunate to have included the exhaust brake, running boards and fiberglass shell at the time of purchase and they bought it all back. I paid $175. 00 for milage (. 25x700 miles). The new truck cost a little more than the old one but because of the accessory money that got refunded they also gave me a check for $48. 00.



2000 miles later the NV5600 self destructed, thats another story.

 

[mlewis73]

My opinion? There ought to be a class action lawsuit against Dodge for this problem. It seems fairly frequent, and is no doubt making your BIG purchase less than a joy to drive.

 

[DMcAnulty]

My TXDOT contact was Robert. He was very polite and professional. I don't know if he expressed any opinion to, or had any communication with the DC Negotiator during the pendency of my complaint.



He only acted as a conduit for exchanging information between me and the Negotiator. After a few exchanges, we made direct contact and eventually made an agreement to settle. If the vibration had not been significantly diminished, I would not have willlingly settled. In my case, all I had asked for from the beginning was for DC to try to do something to stop the vibration. I was perfectly happy with my truck except for that one problem and it was a major issue for me.



The removal of the metal support strap may not help resolve someone else's problem the way it did mine. This is because there are several combinations of conditions that can cause the vibration. What is wrong, is for DC to take the position that "it's normal" and essentially deny the problem and ignore your complaint. I wrote emails, letters, and spoke with their Customer Service folks and got absolutely no response from them UNTIL I resorted to filing a Lemon Law Complaint. It was clear that they won't do anything until they are forced to.



Shame on them. I encourage anyone with this problem to not allow a legitimate complaint be ignored.

 

[steved]

The only way mine goes away is by dropping the front driveshaft... which means it would have nothing to do with an exhaust hanger... but thanks for the heads up.



I'm hoping to buy the dynatrac kit through a group buy at the end of this month as this WILL cure my vibration in 2wd (I don't drive 70 mph in 4wd).



steved

 

[jungledave]

Lemon Lawyer

Well, 25,000 miles and a year and a half later I'm still dealing with the same old 70mph vibration problems. My local dealer has done everything in the book including replacing the entire transmission and motor mounts along with drive shafts etc.



Anyone in here ever invoke the lemmon law for this situation?



I'm going to try a different dealer in Tucson even though it's an hour drive for me. I like the truck but the vibrations are driving me nuts.

Dial 1-888-4 lemons. This guy took care of the buy back of my 04 drone truck.

 

[akshadow]

where is infor on the group buy for the dynatrac kit?

have been out of touch for a while.

thanks

 

[steved]

where is infor on the group buy for the dynatrac kit?

have been out of touch for a while.

thanks

The group buy I was referring to is happening on another board... www.thedieselgarage.com...contact LIPD (Long Island Performance Diesel) on that board... the buy ends the 31st and I believe we have enough people, but we might be one short... I don't really know.



steved

 

[cojhl2]

I notice a couple of posts on this thread that mention misalignment of the input/output shafts.



Unless you are working with CV Joints,, U-Joints must be installed in pairs, in time, and the input and output shafts must be zacley parallel.



Failure to comply with this rule(s) will cause vibration.



I agree with Motero,, the engineers did not design a vibration into this vehicle,, therefore its fixable!

 

[Wdoucet]

My dealer tried almost everything and a dealer about 100 miles away did try everything except changing engines. I got a buy-back from Chrysler and am now driving an 06 with MANUAL transmission.



The DRONE drove me completely nuts, I would have sold it and probably bought a f. . if I would not have gotten the Buy-Back