QBall

My Uncle's 03 quab cab longbed is vibrating at take off and then vibrates again at 40mph. It feels like it's up front. He had the tires rotated and balanced. The front u joints were replaced 3000 miles ago. It's got about 50,000 on the truck now. Anybody else have this problem or have any help? Thanks!

Hounddog

Humm.I'd take the driveshaft loose and FEEL the u'joints.They BIND long before they feel loose.

Smithereen

When you say the front u-joints, is that on the drive shaft only or does that include the steering knuckle u-joints? I`ve heard that the knuckle joints can cause a vib when they are going out.

Hounddog

I'd start with the easy ones first.Rear driveshaft then move forward.

QBall

It was the front knuckles. So maybe they are binding? Or now the front driveshaft could be going.

Hounddog

Have read some posts that thought it was in the front when it fact it was driveshaft u/joints is why I mentioned them first.

QBall

I'll double check the driveshafts.

QBall

I think it's the plastic/rubber hanger for the rear driveshaft.

nriver

sounds like launch shudder. a fix is to lower the center support bearing. mine is about 1.5" lower. shudder is gone.

it did feel like it was from the front, but the rear caused it. easy fix to try.

there is a TSB on this as well. http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2004/03-003-04.htm

Hounddog

The 40 mph shudder he describes dosen't really seem like the launch shudder TSB. Another stab.Trans slippage(auto)?

nriver

sure, this is just a easy thing to check. just put a spacer on the carrier.

when mine did it, I was thinking the worst. Thinking I would need to change out all of the above.

turned out a simple $20 fix took care of it.

njmaier

Where did you get the spacer for the carrier?

nriver

I just used a piece of stock I had sitting around. Square tube, grade 8 bolts and a drill is all it took.

grade 8 bolts may of been overkill, but I had them

duddin10

Check the front hubs. I just had the same thing happen to my 02 chevy. It would vibrate after going about 40. It would stop if I would turn the steering wheel slightly to the right. It was the left hub. Check that out.