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Vibrating 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport 4x4
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Mike Butorac
New User
Oct 30, 2008, 10:03 AM
Post #1 of 6
(8169 views)
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Vibrating 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport 4x4
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Hi, I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport 4x4 with a 5.9 V8 with 171000 miles on it. Now here is what is going on. 2 months ago my rim came off my truck while driving. Now I have had it in a couple of shops and they both said my front end needed some work. Which I had done at $2000+ and they replaced everything but the steering box. Now I have after market rims and was unable to find the rim to replace the one that fell of. So I put the regular size wheels and rims on the front and left the after market rims and tires on the rear (they are bigger). Did not have a problem driving it from NY to MO. Now 2 weeks later I am experiencing a vibration when I get the truck up to 40+ mph. Anything over 40 it vibrates bad. Now if I let off the gas it goes away but as soon as I touch the gas it starts again. It is really bad when I hold the truck steady at any mph over 40. I have checked the U joints and have put new oil and seal in the rear diff. (fluid was low but everything seems good in there NO metal shavings). I do not think it is the different size tires and also not the transmission. Tranny does not clunk or slip and the fluid is full and not dark in color. I do not know where to go from here. Please help. I live in WI and am working out of state and with Thanksgiving coming I would like to make it home. HELP PLEASE
Thanks Mike
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 30, 2008, 4:19 PM
Post #2 of 6
(8164 views)
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Re: Vibrating 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport 4x4
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How did you check the U-Joints? Do front axles spin with wheel speed or stationery when in 2wd?
T
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Mike Butorac
New User
Oct 31, 2008, 8:31 AM
Post #3 of 6
(8158 views)
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Re: Vibrating 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport 4x4
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I pulled the u-joints out it is the only way that I know how to check them. Also the front axle does not spin while in 2 wheel drive. Is it possible that they did not balance the tires properly or aline the front end properly? I just do not know why it only vibrates at 40 + mph and goes away when you let off the gas. I would think if it was the tires or front end that it would do it all the time but I am not a mechanic so who knows.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Oct 31, 2008, 8:55 AM
Post #4 of 6
(8157 views)
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Re: Vibrating 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport 4x4
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Correct about the u-joints - they may seem tight and ok when installed but NG when checked off vehicle. Those are load sensitive as the pitch of a driveshaft changes some with load. Joints, center support bearing if used, or I would guess pinion bearing of diff and others possible. Balance and alignment really don't point to the load senstatiity especially if it smoothes out over 40mph when load (accelleration) is removed from the picture.
Back to the u-joint thing: They should be able to flop to extremes or with a nudge by hand with no sticky spots with driveshaft out and u-joints still installed. Any "galling" marks of the needle bearings if seen makes that a bad u-joint and under any load what seems little is greatly magnified as are flaws with bearings.
Still thinking here myself. A bent driveshaft shouldn't be so load sensitive and I would think would have been an issue right away - not totally sure and not sure if it was involved with damage from back when either.
Some items might have been hurt (bent) in the course of replacing tons of parts too with odd support areas chosen -?? -- Still that should have shown up right away so I'm still thinking on this.
Any other observations that may help me/us?
T
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Loren Champlain Sr
Veteran
/ Moderator
Nov 14, 2008, 7:09 PM
Post #5 of 6
(8129 views)
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Re: Vibrating 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport 4x4
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I'd be real concerned about the different sized tires, front and rear. As long as they are the same circumference, there shouldn't be a problem, but if they are different, the differentials may be 'fighting' each other.
Loren
SW Washington
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Jeff Norfolk
Enthusiast
Nov 14, 2008, 7:16 PM
Post #6 of 6
(8128 views)
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Re: Vibrating 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport 4x4
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For sure. Also with the different size tires you can cause transfer case damage. Even as little as 1/2 in difference in hight can cause trouble in this area. I have even seen the difference in a brand new tire and a totally wore out tire cause damage.
Jeff
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