Folk's I read this over in the ATS forum and thought it would benefit some folks here as well.<br><br>Lary<br><br><br> Vibration at 65MPH &amp; Up <br>Just wanted to let some people know the kind of problems that I am having, and what some of our customers have been saying about their late model 2002 Dodge ram's.<br><br>I bought the truck new this year to further my research into the 2nd generation Dodge truck. Having been in this industry as long as I have, I felt that waiting and getting the last production vehicle of a series,is generally the best one to buy. <br>What I did not expect was to see such a massive change in the design of this truck at the tail end of the series. <br><br>Below is a list of some of the changes Dodge made to this truck, and what I have been doing to improve on my own truck.<br><br>The trucks front axle was changed to a solid one-piece stub axle on the right front. This axle has no actuator in it like previous models. Chrysler’s explanation for this was to keep the ring and pinion moving so the entire differential would be thoroughly lubricated full time. This makes sense when you also look at the venting system change due to the constant oiling.<br><br>I decided to move some of my parts over from my 2001 short bed truck. I installed my 35&quot; wheels and tires and immediately noticed the tires would not rub in a hard turn as they had on the 2001 truck. Chrysler had moved the axel 2.125 inches further forward, So I would not be needing my 2&quot; Tuff country spacer kit from my other truck right away. Eventually I will still add it as I wish to bring noise level up in the front end.<br><br><br>Using this truck as an everyday driver, I began to notice a vibration starting around 65-67mph and up, the vibration seemed to change when the suspension would pack under load or unload going up. This vibration was in the truck with the stock tires and wheels, or with the 35” tires as well.<br><br>I took the truck into the dealership for repair, they changed the wheel bearings and ordered a complete new axle for it.<br><br>Five Weeks later the parts arrived and they installed them, and called me to come get the truck it was fixed!. I guess it was to them at least for replacing the parts, as on the way home I still had the same vibration. Thanks Chrysler for the great service and repair work!.<br><br>Here we inspected the transfer case and found no problems, we know the front drive shaft is spinning all of the time so that was the next thing on the list of parts to throw at it if I was going to let Chrysler do it. I figured that if I diagnosed it myself, I could than get it fixed correctly. <br><br>The problem started showing its self when the front drive shaft was removed for a test drive. I was working on and off with this problem for some time and a friend at Dodge bought a new 2003 305hp auto truck and brought it down to us for a TripleLok™ torque converter. He said &quot;you know I have the same vibration in this new 2003 truck as you do in your 2002&quot;. <br><br>The only common thing in the two trucks is the full time spinning of the front drive shaft. Both axles are the same design except I have the Dana axle and he has the American axle Corp unit. The same week as this was being discussed a customer called up with the same problem as the 2002 &amp; 2003 truck. He had a late 2002 and said Chrysler was not addressing this and had no clue as to the cause.<br><br>We were then directed to call a person that has found a fix for this problem, It is in the front drive shaft. When Chrysler was changing the front axle system they must have changed the differential manufactures at the last minute. If you put all three trucks on a lift and start looking at all of the parts they are basically the same with very little changes. (I will make a list for all of you to see the changes that have taken place.) <br><br>What we learned is the differential was not only moved forward but turned down approximately 6 degrees. This causes the drive shaft inclination angle to be at 1 degree bind at the double Spicer joint at the t-case end, this also is past maximum angle at the differential yoke as well. A new style shaft has been designed for this fix, But Chrysler is doing nothing about this. We had to find the cure without support from the (OEM).<br><br>If any of you have this problem we can fix it. We are waiting for the new drive shaft to arrive for my truck now. I spoke with a person that’s has three of the 2002 late model trucks and it cured the problem for him in all three trucks. I will show pictures of this new shaft and what had to be done to fix it later on. I will continue to compile a list of customers with this problem and submit them to Chrysler in hopes of helping any one having this issue. I will also continue to list in this thread other changes to parts I notice on this truck.<br><br>Don Ramer<br><br><br>

 

Don,<br>I may be a little late on this discussion but I've been experiencing a vibration in my '99 QC SB 4X4 being first noticed at 65 MPH and increasing in intensity with speed. My brother has a 2003 QC LB 4X4 and I can notice a vibration in his truck above 65 MPH but it doesn't seem to be as pronounced as mine. Your information indicates the front drivetrain is the culprit from the work you've cited on your '02. My '99 has more vibration than my brothers and I can really feel it through the 4X4 shifter on the floor and through the floorboards. My brother's '03 has the electronic shifter so feeling vibration through the transfer case is not an option but I told him I noticed a small vibration in the floorboards. Other than intensity, it seems that I can hear a little bit of a whine in what I thought was coming from the rear end or rear driveshaft. Changing the gear oil and friction modifier in the rearend yielded no evidence of mesh inconsistency or metal fragments.<br><br>I've had the rear driveshaft out, played the u-joint game, but have never pulled the front driveshaft for a test drive (perhaps I'll try that). I've talked to a Dodge Tech and he indicated that the splines on the yoke of the rear driveshaft will wear and cause the rear shaft to vibrate on the transfer case shaft. I haven't explored that option since I bought the truck used with 50K pulling miles, have to use it daily, and don't like just throwing parts at it. <br><br>However, I found it interesting that we seem to experience the same problems but have different front axles. Wonder if my front axle is not disengaging? Still, that doesn't take into account the difference in the angle of attack with the front driveshaft as you have explained for the '02.<br><br>Now I'm really dazed and confused!!! ???

 

My truck will vibrate fom 15 MPH on up &amp; my uncles 92 does the exact same thing. &amp; we cannot figure out what it is he has tried new rims, Tires, Shocks &amp; I have tried new tires &amp; I have shocks that i'm gonna but in &amp; hopfully it works I have a question though do you have vibration earlier that 65MPH like me? I also notice if i'm off the accell. &amp; rolling at around 15-30 you can actually see the truck kinda like a rocking effect. it started doing this just before I put new tires on, oh also it will smoothe out around 90.

DRecu!

EDIT: it's more like a shimmy @ low speeds &amp; at high speeds it just vibrates.

 

I had a problem with an IH Scout front shaft years ago. After replacing the shaft three times in two years, I finally found out what it was. The shaft tube was almost two inches too long. When the suspension would bottom out, the shaft would bottom out in the splined half and bend the tube. Called IH but you can imagine what they said. Took it to a drive shaft place and had it custom fit and never had the problem again. The thing is still running today.

 

[quote author=drecu link=board=4;threadid=11685;start=0#110882 date=1046638354]<br>My truck will vibrate fom 15 MPH on up &amp; my uncles 92 does the exact same thing. &amp; we cannot figure out what it is he has tried new rims, Tires, Shocks &amp; I have tried new tires &amp; I have shocks that i'm gonna but in &amp; hopfully it works I have a question though do you have vibration earlier that 65MPH like me? I also notice if i'm off the accell. &amp; rolling at around 15-30 you can actually see the truck kinda like a rocking effect. it started doing this just before I put new tires on, oh also it will smoothe out around 90.<br><br>DRecu! <br><br>EDIT: it's more like a shimmy @ low speeds &amp; at high speeds it just vibrates.<br>[/quote]<br><br>Mine does the same as yours. Right around 35-42 it will shimmy so to speak. Then it smooths out until about 69-70. I thought it was wheels a while back but that didn't solve the problem. The kicker here is that mine is 4x2!

 

Mine doesn't have that problem. The only time mine vibrates is if my radio is cranking. ;D

 

I THINK that it may have started when I changed out my shocks in August, but I don't know that for sure. I think back and get easily confused on when it started occuring. I do know that it's been less than a year, and the truck was smooth as glass before then. Being a 4x2, the solution listed above is obviously not going to work for me. I am taking it to the dealer again this week to see if they can find the issue. I need a valve adjustment anyways.

 

A valve adjustment? Already?

 

100k miles.

 

Here is the link to the ATS forums if you think you have this same problem. Let Don Ramer know as he is submitting names to Chrysler of people known to experience this issue.<br><br> The more names they see, the sooner they may acknowledge the fact that they have an issue here.<br><br><br>http://forums.atsdiesel.com

 

Dropped the truck off at the dealer this evening. I'll let you guys know what I find out, since they're going to look at the entire drivetrain tomorrow. I've had pretty good luck with these guys before, so I trust them. <br><br>I'll keep you posted.<br><br>Jack

 

4 X 2, what's that???????????

 

[quote author=dieseldude4x4 link=board=4;threadid=11685;start=0#111467 date=1046790004]<br>4 X 2, what's that???????????<br>[/quote]hey there, watch it buddy ;D

 

Jack,<br>How were the valves on the scooter?

 

[quote author=StakeMan link=board=4;threadid=11685;start=0#111477 date=1046791516]<br>Jack,<br>How were the valves on the scooter? <br>[/quote]<br><br>okay okay, now you guys are going to far.. My feeling is being hurt.