Mystery Vibration

[kyman9000]

I have a 2015 Ram 1500 SLT. It's an 8' bed with a regular cab. It's the 3.6L gas 6 cylinder. The thing vibrates and feels just like a tire or wheel balance problem. Its got a brand new set of tires. A dealer tried to find the problem by switching all 4 wheels and tires from a new vehicle. No change. The vibration is most noticeable from 42-50 mph. They said the rear axle is ok and the driveshaft is ok. They checked their "forums" and said others have reported this problem and they don't know what it is. I'm tired of putting up with it and was considering replacing u-joints just to try something. Here's my question: It has a 2-piece driveshaft and I don't know whether to change all of the u-joints, just the end ones or just the middle ones. Has anyone had similar experience and/or any luck in changing u-joints to fix a vibration problem. Thank you.

 

[ramsare4real]

I haven't replaced it myself, but I had a vibration in the replacement driveshaft they installed under warranty. Replaced two days after.

 

[chopperman1]

Did it do it before the new tires? Common thing with new tires is the places not cleaning the mating surfaces of the rim and hub.

 

[jws123]

If it has the 2 piece driveshaft like a 8ft bed truck your driveshaft center support/bearing might be bad common failure.

 

[Daw14]

Carrier bearing in middle of drive shaft, check others while your at it .

 

[Jeepwalker]

A good yank on all those bearings can reveal wear and slop. Check the transmission/transfer case (whichever is your trucks final drive) output shaft for 'freeplay' as well. Would be a good idea to check the front driveshaft and all wheel bearings for free-play. They may have done all these ...they are kind of a standard approach to uncover vibrations. But some techs are sloppy and can miss things.

Ask the tire shop if they checked the tires on a Road Force balancer. If he says no, go find a shop which has one. They can detect broken chords, out of round-ness, and other faults a normal spin balancer won't uncover.

 

[indept]

Even though the dealer said the drive shafts were OK, get under & look at the u-joints, if there is any rust around the needle bearing cups that could be the issue. It may not have any noticeable play, if there's rust, the needle bearings are shot.

 

[kyman9000]

I haven't replaced it myself, but I had a vibration in the replacement driveshaft they installed under warranty. Replaced two days after.

Do you know if it was caused by the end u-joints or the carrier bearing?

 

[kyman9000]

Did it do it before the new tires? Common thing with new tires is the places not cleaning the mating surfaces of the rim and hub.

Yes but of course I thought it was the tires. I'm pretty convinced that it is not due to the tires or rims.

 

[kyman9000]

If it has the 2 piece driveshaft like a 8ft bed truck your driveshaft center support/bearing might be bad common failure.

Thank you. Do you happen to know if you can change the center support/bearing without disconnecting the ends of the driveshaft? I mean at the transmission and the rear end.

 

[kyman9000]

Carrier bearing in middle of drive shaft, check others while your at it .

Thanks

 

[kyman9000]

A good yank on all those bearings can reveal wear and slop. Check the transmission/transfer case (whichever is your trucks final drive) output shaft for 'freeplay' as well. Would be a good idea to check the front driveshaft and all wheel bearings for free-play. They may have done all these ...they are kind of a standard approach to uncover vibrations. But some techs are sloppy and can miss things.

Ask the tire shop if they checked the tires on a Road Force balancer. If he says no, go find a shop which has one. They can detect broken chords, out of round-ness, and other faults a normal spin balancer won't uncover.

Thank you

 

[kyman9000]

Even though the dealer said the drive shafts were OK, get under & look at the u-joints, if there is any rust around the needle bearing cups that could be the issue. It may not have any noticeable play, if there's rust, the needle bearings are shot.

Thanks

 

[jws123]

Thank you. Do you happen to know if you can change the center support/bearing without disconnecting the ends of the driveshaft? I mean at the transmission and the rear end.

you have to unbolt the carrier bearing/support and 100% remove the driveshaft.

 

[RamInfo]

Is the driveshaft phased properly?

Drive Shaft Phasing | Driveshaft U Joint Phase, Yoke Alignment - Drivelines NW

Phasing is the correct alignment between yokes at each end of the shaft. If the yokes are not in phase, speed fluctuations will not be cancelled out. These fluctuations cause vibration, which may damage components on the engine and the Jet pump.

www.drivelinesnw.com

Driveshaft U-Joint Phasing

Weber State University (WSU) - Automotive Technology Department - Transmission Lab. The proper measurement procedure of propeller shaft (driveshaft) U-joint ...

www.youtube.com

best,
DG

 

[ramsare4real]

Do you know if it was caused by the end u-joints or the carrier bearing?

Honestly, don't remember if I ever asked. The first replacement only vibrated in the 55-70mph range.

 

[brianw0048]

The thing vibrates and feels just like a tire or wheel balance problem.

did the u-joints fix the problem?

 

[BuschLatte420]

My new truck has a little rotational vibration pretty much at 50 mph, Varys in how intense it is. Goes away if I don’t give it any power.

 

[RamCares]

We see that you have received some great advice from your fellow forum members! However, if these suggestions do not address your concern and you decide to visit your dealer, our team would be happy to offer additional assistance throughout that process! We're available via private message.

Callie
Ram Cares

 

[billdozer79]

I had something similar happen. After a ton of investigation we found that it is called radial runout. Where the wheel isn't correct. You can look it up and see if it fits what you're noticing.