Possible 70 MPH Vibration Fix
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 231
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From: Prescott, Arizona
HdPower, for me, my vibe was evident right off the lot. When I test drove the truck, I only got it up to something like 65 and didn't notice anything wrong. After the deal was done is when I first noticed it. The ride home was 80 miles of 75mph freeway and it reared it's ugly head right away and continued the entire trip. It felt like the truck was rapped out at 70 and the noise from the drone sounded like when you are on a jetliner that is landing, you know... when they hit the full reverse thrust to slow down!! 
About a week ago I removed the exhaust mount that connects to the tranny and I just installed some H2 wheels with 315's yesterday... It's a little better now, but definitely still there. 
About a week ago I removed the exhaust mount that connects to the tranny and I just installed some H2 wheels with 315's yesterday... It's a little better now, but definitely still there.
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 288
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From: Seattle
How about this? I will keep it short. I had a "starting shudder" in 1st, 2nd and sometimes 3rd gear at first and have had it in the shop several times to fix. They replaced clutch, drive lines, rubber carrage where the 2 drive lines conect and the u-joints. No resolve. Now I notice the 70 MPH vibration. RPM's are not the problem here because it is still there in nuetral or with the clutch in. I truley believe it is due to the 2 piece drive lines not being perfectly balanced and also having the rubber carriage provide some "slop". So, to help diagnose this, I bungeed a camcorder underneath my truck to video my drivelines and and carriage housing. My findings......they studder under acceleration until over 2000 RPM's in 3rd gear and you can almost see a vibration at 70 MPH. It's hard to tell if the vibration at 70 is for sure because of the over all vibrations of driving down the road. Anyways, I'm off to my dealer with a VHS tape to go to the next level. I will share my results later.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 231
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From: Prescott, Arizona
BEHRMAN, you should work for C.S.I. 
I have to say that you have a lot more guts than I do to put your camera on the line like that... great idea tho... let us know what you find out once the dealer sees the tape.
I have to say that you have a lot more guts than I do to put your camera on the line like that... great idea tho... let us know what you find out once the dealer sees the tape.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 98
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From: Houston TX
I had the vibration from new at 2000-2100 rpms. The vibrations did get better as the truck mileage increased.
After reading a multitude of posts on the subject I went to the dealership. The vibs were so bad I would get numb on the way to work. The dealer performed the "mod" to the hydroboost line, the counter weight.
The vibs still remain, I even took the dealer for a drive and he admitted the vibration not only exists but it was "not normal". He had no fix and didn't want to attempt anything more until DC could come up with anything.
A couple of things did happen, the vibration did reduce in magnitude and also now occur at 1900-2000 rpm.
After reading a multitude of posts on the subject I went to the dealership. The vibs were so bad I would get numb on the way to work. The dealer performed the "mod" to the hydroboost line, the counter weight.
The vibs still remain, I even took the dealer for a drive and he admitted the vibration not only exists but it was "not normal". He had no fix and didn't want to attempt anything more until DC could come up with anything.
A couple of things did happen, the vibration did reduce in magnitude and also now occur at 1900-2000 rpm.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 98
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From: Hilliard,Fl
My truck is at the dealership right now getting a new rear driveshaft (4 weeks on backorder), guess what he just called and said it made a worse vibe than before. I also noticed that the truck didn't want to downshift during stop and go driving. You know, all the way back down to first when when you stop. Well new valve body on order now!
I read a great thread on TDR that AAM recomended a different harmonic balancer on the driveshaft but DC didn't want it. The driveshaft a apparently has a 85 Mhz harmonic balancer and AAM recomended a 385 Mhz balancer. Any thoughts on this?
I read a great thread on TDR that AAM recomended a different harmonic balancer on the driveshaft but DC didn't want it. The driveshaft a apparently has a 85 Mhz harmonic balancer and AAM recomended a 385 Mhz balancer. Any thoughts on this?
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 231
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From: Prescott, Arizona
Things that make you go hmmmmmm...
I'd say that anything is worth a shot at this point. Is this something that can be retrofitted by a custom driveline shop onto the existing driveshaft or would it have to be incorporated into a new, custom driveshaft?? I've seen mine on there, but haven't really looked into how it is attached.
I'd say that anything is worth a shot at this point. Is this something that can be retrofitted by a custom driveline shop onto the existing driveshaft or would it have to be incorporated into a new, custom driveshaft?? I've seen mine on there, but haven't really looked into how it is attached.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 231
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From: Prescott, Arizona
Yeah, I experienced the same phenomenon when I bolted up my 315's over the weekend, still does it at the same exact speeds (even taking into consideration the variance for the speedo being off). It goes against all logic...
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 13
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From: 10,000' above sea level
Picked up my new dually last week. No vibs for the first few hundred miles or so and then it hit. Just like driving over the rumble strips on the highway only all the time between 65 and 70 mph. The dealer pulled the front drive shaft and no more vibration (or 4 wheel drive). I have a new shaft on order and will let you know if this works after it's in.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 414
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From: Ontario,Canada
I think DC needs to put unlocking hubs on these trucks real soon. I dont thing its a really good idea to have all that stuff turning up front all the time if its not needed.
I have been looking into getting a new truck but to be honest because of the high mileage that I do I am leaning towards something else other than a Dodge.
I am hoping that they will smarten up and fix this for 2005 but I cant hold my breath forever
Jason
I have been looking into getting a new truck but to be honest because of the high mileage that I do I am leaning towards something else other than a Dodge.
I am hoping that they will smarten up and fix this for 2005 but I cant hold my breath forever
Jason
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 70
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From: Orange County,So Cal
Originally posted by skelly
Picked up my new dually last week. No vibs for the first few hundred miles or so and then it hit. Just like driving over the rumble strips on the highway only all the time between 65 and 70 mph. The dealer pulled the front drive shaft and no more vibration (or 4 wheel drive). I have a new shaft on order and will let you know if this works after it's in.
Picked up my new dually last week. No vibs for the first few hundred miles or so and then it hit. Just like driving over the rumble strips on the highway only all the time between 65 and 70 mph. The dealer pulled the front drive shaft and no more vibration (or 4 wheel drive). I have a new shaft on order and will let you know if this works after it's in.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 14
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From: WV
I had the vibration between 65 and 70 mph. I found out that the drive shaft was bent from the factory. The dealer changed the ujoints and that didnt help, he test drove it and said it was definitely the shaft. The shaft caused the ujoints to go out. Dodge replace the shaft, ujoints and the plates that fasten the shaft to the trans and diff as one unit and balanced. It definitely made a big difference
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 745
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From: SE PA
Originally posted by BiggRigg600
Yeah, I experienced the same phenomenon when I bolted up my 315's over the weekend, still does it at the same exact speeds (even taking into consideration the variance for the speedo being off). It goes against all logic...
Yeah, I experienced the same phenomenon when I bolted up my 315's over the weekend, still does it at the same exact speeds (even taking into consideration the variance for the speedo being off). It goes against all logic...
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Posts: n/a
My vibe started at 68 MPH. My dealer tried the force balance route, disconnected the tranny exhaust mount, replaced the TSB PS hose, and the last "fix" was a new rear driveline as the original was supposedly bent. Now, the vibe is worse and starts at 63 and runs up to 68. I ran 285 BFG AT’s for the winter which greatly diminished the vibe….when I put back thee original tires to run out for summer, it came back hot and heavy. My truck had the vibe the first day……the test drive was mountainous and did not exceed 65 (who would have known). After signing the papers and 30 minutes later hitting a 70 zone, the vibe reared it’s ugly head. Options ant 31,000 miles:
1. Try to ignore it
2. Get my old driveline back
3. Rebalance the new one
4. Hang in there for the DC miracle cure
5. See how the AT’s feel later this year
6. Take the buy back rout as stated by another subscriber. Issue here is I would not want a 600 with the poor mileage issue
7. Trade it in on a Ford ! READ THIS DC…WE ARE SICK OF THIS CRAP !!!!!
1. Try to ignore it
2. Get my old driveline back
3. Rebalance the new one
4. Hang in there for the DC miracle cure
5. See how the AT’s feel later this year
6. Take the buy back rout as stated by another subscriber. Issue here is I would not want a 600 with the poor mileage issue
7. Trade it in on a Ford ! READ THIS DC…WE ARE SICK OF THIS CRAP !!!!!
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 231
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From: Prescott, Arizona
Hoot, I have not had mine reprogrammed yet. Stopped by my local dealer (not the one that sold me the truck) yesterday, but they said that they would need an appointment, take a half hour and they'd charge me $45-50, so I left. When I take it to the dealer where I bought it for my first oil change, I'll see if they'll throw it in for free. Also, those guys are aware of my vibe, and want to get my truck in to check it out, but I'm a little nervous about that since I've read, like in the post above, that they can screw it up even worse than it is now. Maybe your 5" sewer pipe is the solution?