My local dealer is doing this TSB next week. The shudder occurs only on low-speed takeoff when towing so I'm hopeful.

The dealer feels they can pick the right size bracket with the truck empty. I think otherwise. From the TSB: "The vehicle should be evaluated under the loaded condition that produces the objectionable disturbance." I'll hope for the best & see what happens.

Question for you guys. Do you think it will need a shorter center bearing bracket to raise the driveshaft or a thicker one to lower it? I would think the shorter to raise it since the truck probably squats a few inches fully loaded.

I have no experience with this stuff, so any knowledgeable replies are appreciated. Thanks!

 

out of curiosity, where/how did you find the TSB? I've had this problem since day 1 on my '03 and have been told it's normal.

 

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/ this has all tsb's. Look under drive shafts.

 

Dealer advised today that their measurements (unloaded) indicate no need for this TSB. Two motor mounts are worn & that's the problem. I'm skeptical, but I'll play along & update after hooking up again. Motor mounts at 36k?

ezytiger: If you're going to see what your dealer says about the problem on your truck and this TSB, I'd like to hear the response.

More to follow on this one...

 

I know this sounds crazy but if the dealer can't fix your shudder try this, it worked for me. Change your rear end oil to a thicker weight, the 75/80 -140. I told the dealer no way will this work, but it did. Mine would shudder terrible after extended time on the highway, take an off ramp,stop, go to take off and you would have thought something was falling out of the rear-end it shook so bad. Even my 12 year old son asked what broke? So changed the gear lube, did a couple of figure 8's to work it in and no more shudder. Worth a try.

 

ezytigr: What are you driving. Do you get shudder only when towing if so, towing what? Thanks.

 

Make sure and carefully check your u-joints. My 2003 had similar symptoms start to show up with 20k miles. First noticed it towing (thought it was spring wrap or something), then it was getting to be noticeable on takeoff in lower gears unloaded. It finally got to the point that it would squeek on takeoff which prompted me to check the u-joints. The center joint was bad. Can't believe how much smoother everything was after that got replaced. Keep in mind the u-joint likely won't be loose, so you may need to take the driveline off to find. I found mine by driving at highway speeds and then feeling each yoke ear - one was almost hot to the touch - all others cold.

Mathew

 

Neighbor had it done but measurements taken with trailer hooked and loaded.Fixed his.

 

Harbaw,

If your launch shudder is really like a "buck," check your codes. I had the lower fan shroud segment being sucked up into my fan causing it to set two fan-related codes, and the ECM started defueling on acceleration or something, and the bucking was really bad. It was embarrassing. Clearing the codes and fixing the problem was the cure.

 

My dealer played with mine before there was a TSB - - no one had heard of it at that point (I had the first 03 - 3500 dually in Florida). Only shuddered when loaded with fiver (about 3200 pin weight). We ended up reducing it some with a 1/4" plate to drop carriage assembly. Still does it in 1st and 2nd, but not like it did.