Who has the launch studder??

[Bouncy]

After the 4th trip to the dealer... Even having them look at TSB 03-003-04.



They claim that can't fix it. The TSB "MAY" make the vibration worse...



As the dealer keeps saying... "Put more miles on it and see what happens... "



Truck has 17,300 on it now... I guess they want me to wait until 36. 001 and they can fix it for $$$.



So the question is... Has anyone had this fixed?

What dealer fixed it?

What was the fix?



Cause I wanna call YOUR dealer and then introduce them to my dealer and DCX so we can get this problem fixed across the board.



Thanks for the help.

 

[SRadke]

I used to have a shudder on launch that was caused by a combination of pinion angle and axle wrap. It was much worse when loaded. Now I have a four link in the rear so I can adjust the pinion angle and guess what..... smooth as silk.



-Scott

 

[NDanecker]

Originally posted by SRadke

I used to have a shudder on launch that was caused by a combination of pinion angle and axle wrap. It was much worse when loaded. Now I have a four link in the rear so I can adjust the pinion angle and guess what..... smooth as silk.



-Scott

I have a slight vibration below 1700 when I accelerate in every gear except 6 (going to fast to notice maybe). Started after I installed 2" blocks under the rear leafs which is part of the 4" Superlift kit. No vibration when engaging clutch…only after and during medium to hard acceleration.



Is this what you guys are talking about?



SRadke: How and where did you get a 4 link setup for the rear??????

 

[jsimpson]

I have a shudder at launch with the automatic. I've got to where i don't notice it anymore. It's not worse when loaded; if anyhting, there's less shudder when loaded. Four link???

 

[TCDiesel]

I have had it since truck was new,Dealer is in the process of changing angle Now, Dc will be force to buy back truck,IF IT DON"T FIX IT. it has already qualified for the Minnesota lemon Law.

 

[SRadke]

If you raise the back end of these trucks so much as 2" you have to slightly adjust the pinion angle. More than 2" and you should also shim the carrier bearing down a little. They are toleranced that tight. The original shudder I had (in stock form) was caused by the angle the pinion settled out to with a heavy load on the springs.



The four link is part of Kelderman's air ride kit.



-Scott

 

[TCDiesel]

I am tried of this problem Almost 2 years and 30k . This post is like being over at the some of other forums.

 

[sag2]

Bouncy



Who is your dealer?



Launch shudder has been around forever. It is drive line angle induced period. They have released different length center supports that should take care of it. Ask your dealer what the angles are that they measured. (this is a test, if they do not have the answer, they can not fix it without guessing). The factory service manual gives a perfect procedure to measure it, however the two piece procedure is a bit confusing.

You should be able to fix it empty, but have some loaded and vice versa.

If they fail the test, you need a different (smarter) dealer.

 

[Bouncy]

sag2



They did measure. They threw out some numbers at me. Like 139 something. They said that was the "longest" they could adjust the driveshaft to be within DCX spec.



I didn't know this was a problem for the last 20+ years. Thought this was ONLY 3rd gen problem. Sorry for my stupidity.



Though is all the Dodge RAM trucks I have been in... (About 20) I have never felt a launch vibration. However, this is my first dually (own/riden in).



Just got the truck back yesterday. They didn't fix anything on the vibration. Basically told me to drive it and see if it gets worse... Next step being to put a new axle in it.



They DID finally fix the passenger door window problem. The aligned the track after telling me the past 3 times to keep the track clean. They greesed it and replaced the regulator.



Aligning the track has fixed that problem.



My dealer is Winners Dodge in Trenton, MI. Really good guys but seem to follow the book to much.



Being a backyard mechanic... I don't have books, so I have to fix problems with common sense. They seem to follow a book step by step and if it isn't in there, they are lost.



But they are really good people that try hard.

 

[mfrost]

I have this launch and I thought it was the 48re. It was a little low on fluid so added a little but still the same. It isn,t that noticeable but it is there. What damage will it cause if it is not corrected?



I just hate going to the dealer:-{}

 

[FJfonda]

My dealer was pretty succesful in fixing my shudder. They optimized the driveline up - down angle per the TSB but also was careful to optimize the side to side angle when tightening the bracket. 90% gone. . even when towing.

 

[bombero]

In 1993 DC had a launch shutter when they came out with the club cab long bed. I think the fix was to do away with the center support and use one long drive shaft

 

[mfrost]

Originally posted by SRadke

If you raise the back end of these trucks so much as 2" you have to slightly adjust the pinion angle. More than 2" and you should also shim the carrier bearing down a little. They are toleranced that tight. The original shudder I had (in stock form) was caused by the angle the pinion settled out to with a heavy load on the springs.



The four link is part of Kelderman's air ride kit.



-Scott

Are we saying that if I take the spacers out that are on top of the rear spring perch to lower the back for better fiver leveling that this may take care of the shudder. If I do that and take it in for warranty shudder repair will they warranty it??



At this point I am assuming that they rotate the rear axle assembly for better alignment and I would be messing with that when I take the spacers out even I was careful and marked things good.

 

[SRadke]

Originally posted by mfrost

Are we saying that if I take the spacers out that are on top of the rear spring perch to lower the back for better fiver leveling that this may take care of the shudder. If I do that and take it in for warranty shudder repair will they warranty it??

There is a possibility that will solve the problem. As for what they'll warrantee, you never know. Some dealers will, others will not touch it if you've so much as looked cross eyed at it. I kissed my warrantee goodbye long ago so I could live a stress free life fixing my own toys.



-Scott

 

[Rosco]

I have the launch shudder and it seems worse if I have the fiver hooked up. The only thing I don't understand is that it's and intermittent issue. Some launches are really noticable and others are smooth as silk.

 

[mfrost]

Dropped it today. Removed the rear spring pack spacers. It lowered the back by 1 3/4 inches Oo. I also lost the launch shudder :--) It has a total different feeling. It's great The bed rails are now identical height as my friends 99 CTD 4x4.



Eager to see what happens when I put a load on it. Will the shudder come back???



Now wouldn't it be great if it improved the MPG

 

[jsimpson]

If it's pinion angle, what's the point in fixing it? The angle will be different every time you load your truck! The shudder doesn't bother me, - prolly had it with my 94 and attributed it to clutch shudder. 200,000 ha rd miles didn't kill anything.

 

[mfrost]

ditto that's what I think also. Most of my driving right now is empty so will savor it while I can

 

[DCaswell]

I have it also & it is getting worse, have 114,000km on truck & warranty expires on drive train @ 115,000 so it is going in tomorrow. So far have been quite pleased with the service dept @ dealer but they will never see me after warranty. Will report on what the fix is.

 

[TCDiesel]

The new bracket install at the dealer today made my shrudder WORSE ,I Am now making a 1/2 riser now in my own shop. The new bracket made the angle from the hanger bearing to the axle greater which made it shrudder all the time, I had dealer reinstall the orginal bracket, I will have spacer install in about 3 hours,IF I DID NOT LIKE THIS TRUCK SO MUCH I WOULD MAKE DC BUY IT BACK IF THEY COULD NOT RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM.



This was the fix for me,The shrudder is only their when empty for a half a second when only turning,When pulling my goosenecks it completely gone.