jnaker

I know there was another thread on this subject. I just traded an 03 2500 for a 03 3500 DRW with 6 speed. Didnt notice the vibration on the 2500 but on the new 3500 vibration definately from 69mph to 75mph and smooth either side of that.

Did anyone find a solution, let alone what was causing this?

Going to the dealer tomarrow for some other work and Im sure he wont have a clue!

mymaur

On mine it's the ac. Sets up a harmonics vibe. Turn off the ac, if thats the problem it will stop immeaditely.

On mine it also has virtually gone away with time. Very sever when brand new. Now at 11,500 miles, it's almost gone.

I only ever took the truck in for service one time and it was for this. Of course, they were clueless.

jnaker

Thanks,
Mine was vibrating without the AC today, I can live with it and hopefully it will get better when everything loosens up. Better get my 5th wheel hooked up and pull some to break it in faster. Havent gotten the hitch installed yet but hopefully this week. That should do something to the vib. Course I wont be pulling that fast with the trailer.

Thanks

MEJDodge

I have a 2500 HO with auto. It has a definite vibration that comes on at 2000 RPM. Very annoying between 70 and 80 MPH. It was new (1500 mi) when we left on a trip 6 weeks ago and has 13000 mi when we returned yesterday. It is no better. The dealer was clueless before we left. He did admit that I wasn't the only one with the problem.

silver_goat

Mine seems to start at around 2000 also. Only have 2300 miles on it. Hope it goes away once its broken in. My 02 never had any vibration. I thought it might be becasue of the lower gears in the 03. My 02 had the 355's.

bulabula

Mine was related to the AC cycling too. Either its gone away over time (16,000 miles) or I don't notice it anymore. Like it was said above, it was pretty noticable, and disconcerting when new. Don't forget that the AC cycles during defroster use.

Hummin Cummins

Talk to the guys with the big rigs, the cummins creates a lot of vibrations to the point where accessory bolts become loose on industrial applications.

Very much normal.

jnaker

Well getting used to it now and when I pull I only run around 65 to 70 and no vibration there. It seems to have changed some with a few miles. Now instead of 70-75 I noticed it in a narrow band around 76-79. I just wont drive that fast.

Thanks

pinzgauer

[quote author=Hummin' Cummins link=board=20;threadid=19097;start=0#msg185584 date=1063751997]
Talk to the guys with the big rigs, the cummins creates a lot of vibrations to the point where accessory bolts become loose on industrial applications.

Very much normal.
[/quote]

With all due respect, the vibration most of us are talking about is not the normal cummins hum.... it is some harmonic/resononance, beat note, etc.

It is hand numbing, sounds like something is about to self destruct, and is not the normal diesel vibe/rattle.

It's also noticable enough that passengers ask if a tire is out of round, if you have mud tires, etc. Knowledgable mechanics ask if there is a drive shaft problem, or some other drivetrain issue.

It was not present in 2002 and older models, over a dozen people have commented on the difference between their earlier CTD's and the 03 vibration.

If you don't have the buzz/roar/drone, then I'm glad. But you do those of us who do have the problem a disservice by dismissing it as "normal". Unless you have ridden in someone's truck which does exhibit the problem, then you are really not qualified to state that.

This is not really directed at any individual, and I know that everyone is trying to help. But if you don't have the problem, then just be thankful! You would know if you did!

Diesels do have more vibration, and older cummins had more than the 03's, with the exception of this particular one. This one is unlike any cummins I have ever driven, and the 6.0/7.3 Fords and GM's, for all their problems did not exhibit anything like this.

All that said, I still am please with the truck. I'm going to keep working the issue with the dealer and DCX. Ultimately, I'm pretty confident it will get resolved. A vibration analyser will pick it up.

Thanks,

Alan Barrow
'03 3500 HO SRW 4x4 4.10

Lightman

I thought I read someone had solved this problem, in correcting driveline angles?

silver_goat

not sure if there is a solution yet. :'( Mine does seem to be getting a little less noticeable the more I drive it. ;D Not sure if I am just getting use to it or the drive line is beginning to loosen up a bit. Only have 4k on her. I guess time will tell.

msatow

My 2000 rpm vibration is in the drive line some where. If you get up to 80 mph and put it in nutral and coast I get the vibration around the same speed 70 mph. If I get to 80 and turn off the motor the vibration is still the same around 70 mph. This tells me that the vibration is somewhere from the transmission tailshaft through the transfer case into the driveline. I am on my third drive shaft. Had the tires force balanced. And it goes back to the dealer again Monday for the vibration. I would like to get e-mail from people that do not have the vibration to see how their trucks are equipped and when and where they are made. This would help me out.

rjweiss

msatow,

No drivetrain vibration on my 03.

But at 75mph + when I floor it feels like a 747 on take off, no vibes, just a big increase in the overall noise level in the cab.


Ron W.

msatow

Dodge is aware of the problem. They have a couple of trucks at one of their venders for testing. A fix is in the works and a tsb should be out in under two weeks. I have talked with the engineer on the project about the vibration, they have isolated it. They have a meeting friday the 7th. At that point they hope to issue a tsb.

bluerattler

my '03 Cummins SO has the same "vibration" that is most evident around 70-72mph- feels like an electric shaver- problem is not in the drivetrain- dealer said Chrysler has all but admitted the problem and it appears to be centered around the hydro boost- they expect a tsb very soon