I have an 02 with front end vibration at highway speeds. It is more noticable the faster I go. Starts getting bad at 65 and then by 70 I start getting nervous. One thing I did notice is if I'm going down the highway, and I go thru a long dip in the road, the truck will squat and the vibrations stop. When the truck comes back up, the vibs start again. I'm not sure if it happens in 4x but I really don't think I'm supposed to go 65 in 4x. There are no clunks like a bad universal. I did have some work done at the dealer trying to chase a different problem, but the only thing they replaced up front was the drive shaft from the transfer case to the front differential. The vibration was not there after they did the work, only noticed it recently.
Any ideas??

 

Assuming you have a 2002.5, no CAD-front driveshaft spinning all the time, it's your front driveshaft, CV joint letting go most likely.

New front DS fixed it temporarily, now it's dying as well.

PM'd you before I found this post, more detail in the PM.


phox

 

If there is nothing noticeable i would make sure tires are balanced right. same thing happened to me and that was my problem

 

I have the same kind of vibe, off and on usually between 60 and up and intermittment. I have replaced all front end parts had the tires rebalanced several times and even pulled off the front driveshaft and driven it. It is almost undetectable 1/4 of the time and not a strong vibe enough to **** ya off! I have rotated tires different times and had one guy at Discount tell me it appears that one of my rims is bent some. Other discount fellows tell me they are true.

With the front shaft off it seems a little better. I am going to take it back off again and put a days driving on it to better assess.

Question- the shaft/u-joints on the front shaft appear tight with out any rough spots, but how do you know how to assess the CV joint for damage/wear? I have 198,000 miles on Besse.

I still question the tires because of the amount of weights on them, however this problem was with my other set of Nittos as well.

Right now I am trying to find someone in Austin/Bastrop with a 3/4 ton set up and smooth ride to swap tires/rims with me for an hour or so to see any difference!

Thought ideas desperately sought. My 2000 was ordered-built in Oct of 1999. One of my happiest days when she was delivered to the dealer!

 

Yes, the front driveshaft turns all the time. So, I'm not sure how to tell specifically by looking at it...someone said in a different post that you can tell by the location of the vent...but I'm pretty sure it's not a CAD. BUT, as I mentioned in my first post, the dealer replaced that driveshaft. I had a friend of mine take it out for a drive with me in the passenger seat, and WOW I could feel it in the floor boards real bad.

 

I was going by that statement, the vibe wasn't there after they did the work.

Maybe it's not the driveshaft, but it mirrors my symptoms exactly.

Yes, if the vent comes out of the differential cover, it's the CAD-less D60.
Forgot about that difference.

phox

 

When you take the shaft off again, just put that joint through it's range of motion,
any slack in the middle section of the joint will be obvious.
If you see any needle bearings fall out (like I did), even more obvious.

Your 2000 shouldn't have the vibe there in 2 wheel drive though, as the front shaft isn't turning, unless your CAD is stuck closed?


phox

 

OH, I don't have a vent on the front D60 ccoming out of the cover. I was under the impression the front shaft always turns with or without it being in 4wd. Am I clear that you are saying that may not be the case?

In 4wd there is not difference either way.

 

I've heard that it doesn't.

Looking at how it is set up in a CAD system, it should turn, perhaps just not as fast as a CADless setup,
it is still pysically connected to half the axle and one wheel,
unless the differential spider gears just rotate around instead of turning the driveshaft.

I know front driveshaft problems started showing up in the late 2002's, and the 3rd gens have had a higher than expected failure rate.


phox

 

Well, problem solved...traded the '02 for this:

http://www.webgarages.dynu.com/phpnu...g2_itemId=1727

 

Heck , wish I could do that.

Next time my truck needs washin', ill just get another!

 

More like problem postponed.

The new trucks still have the front driveshaft spinning all the time.
At least they tell you you have to grease them.

Nice tradeup though.


phox

 

Hey, sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do. You're tellin me it's a trade up!! THis thing is a beast. I have no problems towing my camper. (8900gvw) Don;t even know it's back there.