Shuddering upon take-off
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 26
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My '04 and '05 both do it. I have had the carrier bearings replaced and shommed, and it helped, but did't eliminate it. I got the same "it's normal" thing from my dealer, too. It just sucks that when you spend $45k a piece for trucks, you get to deal with weird vibrations! I found it by riding in the bed of the truck, and looking between the cab and bed. I could see the driveshaft wiggling when accelerating. I'm sure there has to be a bearing that is retro fittable that would take care of this. Anybdy looked at Ford or Chevy bearings? I should call a driveline shop, I thought my truck were an isolated case.
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,578
Likes: 8
From: Charleston SC
my 06 Mega does it, seen that TSB posted on here several times.
most posts have also talked about the 65~70 mph drone.
both of mine have got less and less noticable (or i just gave up on Dodge being able to fix anything)
15k miles on it. roaring pretty loud this weekend, using cruise buttons to go from ~68 to ~70, it's VERY LOUD.
it's just ignorant that they don't put a carrier bearing shim & a yellow stickie in the glove box, with a note on the stickie "uh, we forgot to put this in...."
the 20 year old kid at my dealership "don't feel nothing"
um, ok....
most posts have also talked about the 65~70 mph drone.
both of mine have got less and less noticable (or i just gave up on Dodge being able to fix anything)
15k miles on it. roaring pretty loud this weekend, using cruise buttons to go from ~68 to ~70, it's VERY LOUD.
it's just ignorant that they don't put a carrier bearing shim & a yellow stickie in the glove box, with a note on the stickie "uh, we forgot to put this in...."
the 20 year old kid at my dealership "don't feel nothing"
um, ok....
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,777
Likes: 0
From: Alta Loma, CA
Mine has done this since new also. Most find if you space the carrier bearing down 3/8"-1/2" it seems to solve the problem. If you don't like the spacer idea, you can use a temporary spacer to find what works, and then order a proper height bearing support from Dodge.
I attached a link from an old TSB that has the part #s and associated heights.
If your lucky this will permanently solve your problem, but a few like mine shudder very badly when towing, and the spacer does not cure that. I have decided traction bars (like the Glacier Diesel ones) are the best fix.
The best part is you will not get any help from your dealer, as this problem, as rediculous as it is, is "a characteristic of the vehicle", so Dodge considers it normal.
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2004/03-003-04.htm
I attached a link from an old TSB that has the part #s and associated heights.
If your lucky this will permanently solve your problem, but a few like mine shudder very badly when towing, and the spacer does not cure that. I have decided traction bars (like the Glacier Diesel ones) are the best fix.
The best part is you will not get any help from your dealer, as this problem, as rediculous as it is, is "a characteristic of the vehicle", so Dodge considers it normal.
http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2004/03-003-04.htm
If it's driveline shudder traction bars aren't going to help. In my truck it's caused by driveline angles, not axle wrap, and like Joe's (JuzPlaneKrazy) truck it goes away when loaded. I'm used to it and don't even notice it anymore.
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Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 249
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From: Southern Alberta
In the numerous hours I spent trying to rid my truck of this, I found the only time it went away when loaded was to angle the diff. down with a tapered shim to about 5 1/2 degrees pinion angle. I also tried angling it up, and it made it much worse.
One day I asked my neighbor to help me locate the driveshaft in a certain spot to measure pinion angle (with trailer in tow), so he crouched down beside the truck as I inched forward. He commented that he could not believe the pinion moved up and down as much as it did. He figured the pinion angle changed a degree each way just by the torque applied inching forward, and applying the brakes.
So I am thinking the problem is when you apply enough torque, the pinion rotates up enough to get your driveline angles unhappy. This makes sense because when I had shimmed the pinion down, it made it better, essentially compensating for the spring wrap upward when taking off from a stop. And when your loaded it is worse because your applying more torque to get the load moving. And when I shimmed the diff. up, it made it worse ( it was so bad unloaded, I never did try this combination loaded).
So I am thinking a set of traction bars will hold the pinion angle constant, and not allow the diff. to wrap upwards. I have checked the driveline angles loaded and unloaded, and as long as nothing changes (axle wrap) they are well within spec to run smoothly. I think this problem seems to stem from the long leaf springs used by DC the get a nice ride, but seem prone to allowing wrap.
The other thing I should mention is my truck seems to be unlike most, as it does it both unloaded and loaded. When loaded, it is bad enough to rattle your teeth! I am not going to get used to that ever, and if this doesn't work, then on to plan B, although I don't know what that is yet.
My traction bars are almost done, so I will know one way or the other if it works. Here's to hoping!
Banned
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,660
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From: Florida
I am actually hoping it will, and I'll tell ya why.
In the numerous hours I spent trying to rid my truck of this, I found the only time it went away when loaded was to angle the diff. down with a tapered shim to about 5 1/2 degrees pinion angle. I also tried angling it up, and it made it much worse.
One day I asked my neighbor to help me locate the driveshaft in a certain spot to measure pinion angle (with trailer in tow), so he crouched down beside the truck as I inched forward. He commented that he could not believe the pinion moved up and down as much as it did. He figured the pinion angle changed a degree each way just by the torque applied inching forward, and applying the brakes.
So I am thinking the problem is when you apply enough torque, the pinion rotates up enough to get your driveline angles unhappy. This makes sense because when I had shimmed the pinion down, it made it better, essentially compensating for the spring wrap upward when taking off from a stop. And when your loaded it is worse because your applying more torque to get the load moving. And when I shimmed the diff. up, it made it worse ( it was so bad unloaded, I never did try this combination loaded).
So I am thinking a set of traction bars will hold the pinion angle constant, and not allow the diff. to wrap upwards. I think this problem seems to stem from the long leaf springs used by DC the get a nice ride.
The other thing I should mention is my truck seems to be unlike most, as it does it both unloaded and loaded. When loaded, it is bad enough to rattle your teeth! I am not going to get used to that ever, and if this doesn't work, then on to plan B, although I don't know what that is yet.
My traction bars are almost done, so I will know one way or the other if it works. Here's to hoping!
In the numerous hours I spent trying to rid my truck of this, I found the only time it went away when loaded was to angle the diff. down with a tapered shim to about 5 1/2 degrees pinion angle. I also tried angling it up, and it made it much worse.
One day I asked my neighbor to help me locate the driveshaft in a certain spot to measure pinion angle (with trailer in tow), so he crouched down beside the truck as I inched forward. He commented that he could not believe the pinion moved up and down as much as it did. He figured the pinion angle changed a degree each way just by the torque applied inching forward, and applying the brakes.
So I am thinking the problem is when you apply enough torque, the pinion rotates up enough to get your driveline angles unhappy. This makes sense because when I had shimmed the pinion down, it made it better, essentially compensating for the spring wrap upward when taking off from a stop. And when your loaded it is worse because your applying more torque to get the load moving. And when I shimmed the diff. up, it made it worse ( it was so bad unloaded, I never did try this combination loaded).
So I am thinking a set of traction bars will hold the pinion angle constant, and not allow the diff. to wrap upwards. I think this problem seems to stem from the long leaf springs used by DC the get a nice ride.
The other thing I should mention is my truck seems to be unlike most, as it does it both unloaded and loaded. When loaded, it is bad enough to rattle your teeth! I am not going to get used to that ever, and if this doesn't work, then on to plan B, although I don't know what that is yet.
My traction bars are almost done, so I will know one way or the other if it works. Here's to hoping!
Be sure to keep us updated and let us know if it cures the problem!
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: SW Utah
Well, after 36,000 miles mine started shuddering. I want to know, is there permenant damage that will result?
I was in 1st gear pulling my trailer, and it started surging so bad I thought I was going to stall and the truck fall apart. Now, since then, I've noticed it while empty.
Not pleased.
I was in 1st gear pulling my trailer, and it started surging so bad I thought I was going to stall and the truck fall apart. Now, since then, I've noticed it while empty.
Not pleased.
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
ok folks here it is right from the horses mouth
i have an 07 5.9 and asked about the tsb for the o3 o4 abd was told that it its not compatible due to hole spacing and such.
my service manager has a prototype piece coming up from chrysler engineering next week which they are eager to try out
fyi.
oren
my service manager has a prototype piece coming up from chrysler engineering next week which they are eager to try out
fyi.
oren
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
The other thing I should mention is my truck seems to be unlike most, as it does it both unloaded and loaded. When loaded, it is bad enough to rattle your teeth! I am not going to get used to that ever, and if this doesn't work, then on to plan B, although I don't know what that is yet.
My traction bars are almost done, so I will know one way or the other if it works. Here's to hoping!
My traction bars are almost done, so I will know one way or the other if it works. Here's to hoping!
also in fact I seem to have it MUCH worse when loaded and hardly ever at all unloaded so yes please post it up if the traction bars do help cause if its wet out, I have a slight incline or a slippery surface (different types of asphalt) that thing gets bucking so bad I can barely move and if I quickly push in my clutch it makes a real bad noise!I had thought wheel hop cause sometimes on occasion it seemed like I could almost see the wheel move more then the truck was moving and it seemed to hop but well this seems to make more sense since more people are commenting on it.
This is turning into a pretty darn good thread!
