I'm new here too but I've observed what seems to be more than one cause for the vibration we have. I had three when I bought my '03 that my previous three DC trucks didn't have sept for the normal 2100rpm harmonic vibration that was amplified with the advent of the hydraulic brake booster lines. The weighted brake booster line took care of the buzz in the steering wheel. The dealership swapped the drive shaft out of another truck and greatly reduced the drive shaft vibration. But in the process of trying to cure the driveshaft vibration, they rebalanced my tires three times and the driveshaft vibration was still there... Now I have four tires that are not properly balanced as they were from the factory. So I actually had two vibrations fixed and a third added at no extra charge. I noticed a couple of folks have the vibration at 65-75mph although their rpm is different. The auto/3.73 with a vibration starting at 1900rpm 65mph and my auto/4.10 at 2100rpm 65mph has only the tires and axles in common. So now I"m focusing on tires and possibly the rear end. I even thought that since I filled the differential up to the fill hole shortly after delivery, maybe more than a quart over the 2.5qts the 10.5" calls for is letting the carrier slap the oil at 700rpm (highway speed) causing a slight vibration. Just a little to think about. Ok, I'm being taken back to the nut ward...

 

What did it cost to have a shop balance your driveshafts?

 

My 04.5 is my first diesel. It is my third dodge product with several negative issues with my '02 Durango (engine replace at 2998 miles on it, which by the way if you read the book it states to replace engine, oil, every 3000 miles; wow what a difference a comma made and a '00 Intrepid with a couple issue but all in all Dodge / DC stood behind the issues each and every time. With response to all the issues with the Rams vibration be it harmonic resonance of the muffler, unbalanced front or rear driveshafts or hydroformed body, I think everyone experiencing this issue should make their dealers directly state exactly what the problem was and how they are trying to correct it and get them to put it in writing. That being the case somewhere down the line when the large class action lawsuit is filed regarding this issue we all have proof to back it up and can get in line. I'm taking my "service manager" for a test ride who states that he has "never heard of this issue at all and can't belive it" will keep everyone updated to his findings.

 

Isn't this interesting that I received this in an e-mail response from DC regarding their current findings on the 70 mph, 2000 RPM issue on the Ram? See the orginal question on the bottom: Enjoy.

Possible contributors of vibration include:

front or rear propshaft runout
front or rear propshaft balance
Excessive tire road force variance
Wheel runout/balance
Incorrect indexing of front propshaft to yoke/flange
T-case front output shaft run out or imbalance
T-case, front prop, yoke, flange, pinion excessive stack up of runout or
balance

Our Axle Engineering is currently investigating this high speed
vibration. A task force team has been created and are working on a field
repair solution. A field diagnostic procedure is currently being
developed and will be posted immediately after approved.



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Sincerely,

Frank
Senior Staff Representative
DaimlerChrysler Customer Assistance Center


Original Message Follows:
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Form Selected:
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Category: US Customer Service
Brief Description:
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Vibration at 70 MPH in 2004 Dodge Ram
Comments:
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Has there been any reported problems with the 2004 & 2004.5 Dodge Ram
Cummins 600 Diesels with a Short Wheel Base that complain of a
shudder/shaking/vibration at approx. 70 mph with the tach at 2000 RPM?
Has this problem be narrowed down to "unbalanced" front driveshafts as I
have been reading? If so, has any any other research been done into
correcting the problem in the near future

 

Sounds like they're "on it"...
I just had my tires rebalanced at the local Goodyear store so I could rule out tires. Carlos said my tires are good and only one was out .5 ounce. He took the time (45mins) to make sure they were all perfect so I'll take their word for it.
The only other clue that comes to mind is, I made a couple of short interstate trips when I first bought the truck. Other than the 2100rpm buzz in the steering wheel, I don't recall having this other vibration that starts at around 62mph, gets a little better right at 70mph and is the worst at 75mph. Then I topped off the rear end of my 4x2. The very next trip out I looked at my Mrs all puzzled and perplexed at the new lower frequency vibration at 65-68mph. It's been steadily getting worse so that now it starts at 62mph and will almost rattle the change in the ashtray at 75mph.
It's not motor... I can run it up to 75, slip it into neutral, let the motor idle or run it at any rpm. The vibration is there and constant no matter what the motor is doing.
It's a long shot in the dark with a limb in the way but, I'm tempted to drain the rear end and add the 2.38qt of GL-5 fully synthetic gear lube and see what it does with the proper amount of lube in it. I keep picturing the carrier slapping the oil at 700-800rpm. If an ounce of tire weight is noticeable, I would assume a qt of oil being hammered might be noticeable. What have I got to lose?

On second thought, it's a simple vibration. I think they know what the cause is but between DC, AAM and whoever makes the driveshafts, they're trying to figure out who's going to pay for the TSB repairs. The attorneys are playing hot potato while we're going nuts waiting for a fix...

 

The dealer changed out the front DS(No change). I started looking for it myself since it is 60 miles to a dealer and they seem to keep the truck all day for a simple tire balance. I found that the slip yoke of the rear output seems to have a little too much play and the pinion ange seems a little low and does not match perectly to the angle on the slip yoke(they dont have to be perfect but dang close). Monday I am going to have them identify these issues also.

 

I just received my truck July 16. On the test drive before delivery (only had 3 miles on it) I noticed a shudder in 2nd gear. Had them check it out. There is a service bulletin for adjusting drive shaft angles. Mine was not done at this time as not serious enough. Angles are set for weight of truck and 2 persons.

I will see what happens when I get some weight on and a few miles but I fully expect to have vibe problems. With a load and suspension down a bit, it may be that drive shaft alignment angles will make it better.

I also have an 01 3500 and took a look at both of them to compare. My 01 never had a vibration or shudder. The 04.5 angles between 1st and 2nd drive shaft do not look right to me. I believe the steady bearing is about 1/2 an inch to high or maybe more. We will see later I guess.

 

Just a thought. If it's a driveshaft vibe issue, why would replacing the driveshaft solve anything? The new part comes from the same supplier that made the one in the truck. So whatever flaws they have in their balancing would apply to new and old shafts.

 

true about the shafts, never the less, it is just one step in the scheme. Mine goes back tomarrow to replace "who knows what" next. maby they will "guess" right this time. At least they are giving me a rental for the week, and a free oil change.

 

The dealership told me that they had several front DS's that they thought were bad so they had them balanced professionally and it actually made the problem worse. Sounds like a Transfer case prob to me.

 

Sort of off topic but not really. Hannibal had a really good point about the carrier slapping the oil in the housing. My question is this. I have a 11.5" rear end, and I notice other have the 10.5". Whay are they different? Is the larger one for the 48re? Then I would like to see the difference in people having vib probs with the different diff's.
I have a VERY slight vib at 68, then just gets worse from there. No where near what some are reporting, but its there.

 

All SO's had the 10.5, except the SO dually, in 04 there was the option of the SO or HO, all HO's had and have the 11.5. If you have the 11.5, you have the HO or an SO dually. With the 04.5, all are now 11.5

 

This vibe issue is very complicated. I had an early built 2004 that had the problem at 2000 rpm 70-75 mph. I also noticed it at much lower speed when towing at 2000 rpm. The dealer changed out motor mounts, drive shafts, wheel bearings?, and Turbo Unit as well as tweaking the exhaust pipes. None of those made a significant difference. Eventually, I swapped trucks for a new one that didn't have the problem. I am somewhat familiar with reasonance issues at work and efforts to eliminate them can go on for a long time. It is "rocket science", in my opinion. I always though it was related to the exhaust flow and really thought changing the turbo out would have some affect, but it didn't. I'm very happy with the new truck (600 model) with the exception of the fuel milage which seems to be about 10-20% less than the 555 model. Also the newer engine seems to produce much more contaminents in the oil, the older engine never seemed to get very dirty between oil changes.

 

Don't know about the vibe yours had Bill unless your 2100rpm vibration was worse than others. My 2100rpm was isolated from the steering wheel and peddles with the power steering hose weight. It's all but gone now with 35,000 plus miles.
The vibe I'm dealing with isn't engine. I can put the shifter in neutral at 70mph and let it slowly coast down through the 62-70mph vibration speed. The vibration is constant no matter the engine rpm. It's also constant with or without a load (2200 lbs in the bed with 5th wheel on) or with heavy throttle or no throttle pulling down with the torque converter locked. It kinda makes me think mine's not driveshaft angles and I'm sure it's not motor with mine. But it could still be driveshaft run out, balance, pinion bearings or run out. or front yoke. Or even tire squirm but Dodge and Goodyear both say tires are good with their road force balancing act.

 

Dodge knows what is causing the problem by now. It a matter of getting the vender to pay for the TSB fix. As soon as the lawyers all agree on whos paying there will be a TSB out and the problem will be resolved. Till then we suffer. I suggest we all spend more time on the phone and e-mails with Dodge rather than venting here. I e-mail my district Dodge service tec once a week and call Dodge about the same. If we all do this it might get resolved sooner. The squeeky wheel gets the grease!