Thanks for the ideas and support, emjay and bulabula. Usually Thompsons, 5 Star Daimler-Chrysler is more responsive to customers than this. Could be they are getting too large for the owner to ride herd on the three different locations. If so they will lose customers fast in a community this size.<br><br> Today I received a reply from D-C Customer Assistance, see the following:<br><br><br>Date: Wed, 14 May 2003 06:59:18 -0700<br>From: Phil Abbott<br>Reply-To: customerassist &lt;customerassist@daimlerchrysler.com&gt;<br><br> Dear Philip:<br><br>Thank you for your email to DaimlerChrysler regarding the concerns with<br>your 2003 Dodge Ram 2500.<br><br>Unfortunately, we are unable to diagnose the situation you have outlined<br>in your email. There are too many variables involved and a detailed<br>inspection of your vehicle will be required for proper diagnosis. We<br>recommend that you continue to work with your authorized dealer towards<br>diagnosis and repair.<br><br>DaimlerChrysler dealerships have the factory training, equipment and<br>information available to them to diagnose and correct problems with<br>DaimlerChrysler vehicles. We are confident that this concern is not<br>beyond their capabilities. Should your dealer require factory<br>assistance, it is available through our zone office.<br><br>Seek out the DaimlerChrysler dealerships that are known for excellence<br>in customer service - our Five Star dealers. Visit http://www.fivestar.com,<br>or call 1-800-677-5STAR.<br><br>If a Five Star Dealer is not convenient, you can find a dealership<br>locator in the &quot;Find/Locate a Dealer&quot; area in the Chrysler<br>(http://www.chrysler.com), Jeep? (http://www.jeep.com) or Dodge<br>(http://www.dodge.com) web sites.<br><br>Thank you again for your email.<br><br>NOTE: Please do not use the 'Reply' function of your email system. If<br>you have a need to respond to this message, please visit us at our reply<br>form (link provided below). Our system is NOT able to accept any emails<br>at this address.<br><br>For any future communications related to this email, please refer to the<br>following information:<br>REFERENCE NUMBER: 11252864<br>REPLY LINK:<br>http://www.chrysler.com/wccsapp/wccs...80890C0KM&amp;<br><br>Sincerely,<br><br>Glenn<br>Senior Staff Representative<br>DaimlerChrysler Customer Assistance Center<br><br><br><br><br><br> :'(

 

I found out today why I'm not getting anywhere with service dept. Tech believes that towing a 5500# trailer is the same as &quot;lugging engine&quot; even at 1200 RPM in first gear. Duh! Glad he didn't try to fix the problem. Where did he drop out of or in from?

 

I had the same thing happen on a truck of mine. It would shutter so violantly the tires would actually leave the ground! I did everything I could think of, Replaced shock's, clutch, changed tranny fluid, diff fluid. I still had the problem. I jacked up the rear, dumped the fluid again and was looking at the RING GEAR when I noticed a tooth was missing! Just a thought. New ring gear and the problem was solved. Just a thought. Good luck

 

[quote author=Sierra Phil link=board=20;threadid=13959;start=30#139144 date=1053142714]<br>I found out today why I'm not getting anywhere with service dept. Tech believes that towing a 5500# trailer is the same as &quot;lugging engine&quot; even at 1200 RPM in first gear. Duh! Glad he didn't try to fix the problem. Where did he drop out of or in from?<br> <br>[/quote]<br><br>Man, don't take the Montana in or he will crap his drawers.

 

[quote author=02DSLDOG link=board=20;threadid=13959;start=30#139265 date=1053192692]
I had the same thing happen on a truck of mine. It would shutter so violantly the tires would actually leave the ground! I did everything I could think of, Replaced shock's, clutch, changed tranny fluid, diff fluid. I still had the problem. I jacked up the rear, dumped the fluid again and was looking at the RING GEAR when I noticed a tooth was missing! Just a thought. New ring gear and the problem was solved. Just a thought. Good luck
[/quote]

Interesting. Hey Phil, kinda reminds me of wanntabee's predicament. Wonder how many teeth we're supposed to have. May be easier than dropping the tranny for a look-see. Hmmmm, know a good dentist?

Oh, and I think you're local tech guy is more interested in putting splitfires and 7&quot; exhaust tips in neons.

 

[quote author=02DSLDOG link=board=20;threadid=13959;start=30#139265 date=1053192692]<br>I had the same thing happen on a truck of mine. It would shutter so violantly the tires would actually leave the ground! I did everything I could think of, Replaced shock's, clutch, changed tranny fluid, diff fluid. I still had the problem. I jacked up the rear, dumped the fluid again and was looking at the RING GEAR when I noticed a tooth was missing! Just a thought. New ring gear and the problem was solved. Just a thought. Good luck<br>[/quote]<br><br>Remember mine was the one delivered 2 qts low of Syn GL-5 in rear axle. Developed a howl to put a coyote to shame. Service dept put in new ring and pinion set in December. No more howl from my rear. Coyotes are happy, no competition from my rear end, axle.<br><br>There are two possibilities that I have considered as the source of my truck's problem. <br>1) If I crank the steering wheel a half turn to left or right, there is no way the clutch will engage smoothly when warm. Could my Limited-Slip, Trac-Loc, Diff. be binding or locking up?<br><br>2) Transmission shaft &quot;Output Operating Angle&quot; and &quot;Pinion Gear Shaft Input Angle&quot; are not aligned with each other, preferred difference is 1 degree or less, maximum difference allowed is 3 degrees.<br> <br>With creative clutching I can minimize the rough engagement but not eliminate it. Set RPM about 1200, next lightly engage the clutch to where slight movement of truck begins as well as shaking. At this point if I remove foot from throttle and then pop clutch as RPM drops the shaking will stop with the slight jerk of sudden full engagement. I then can press go pedal and increase RPM without shaking. This technique is not possible to use if towing my 10,800# fiver.<br><br>I am planning on visiting the service of large Dodge Dealer on Tuesday. It is forcast as an 85 degree day in the Valley. Have an appt. with Dr. in morning. <br><br> &gt;

 

[quote author=Sierra Phil link=board=20;threadid=13959;start=30#139361 date=1053220460]<br>There are two possibilities that I have considered as the source of my truck's problem. <br>1) If I crank the steering wheel a half turn to left or right, there is no way the clutch will engage smoothly when warm. Could my Limited-Slip, Trac-Loc, Diff. be binding or locking up?<br><br>2) Transmission shaft &quot;Output Operating Angle&quot; and &quot;Pinion Gear Shaft Input Angle&quot; are not aligned with each other, preferred difference is 1 degree or less, maximum difference allowed is 3 degrees.[/quote]<br><br>I don't think its #2 - unless you changed something, you'd have noticed it earlier. #1: At full steering lock, I sometimes get a bucking caused by the LSD (no psychedelics tho), but not often. I drove a new auto 3500 dooley that bucked pretty good in a tight turn - it almost felt like a locker (it was in 2x4 mode). But it all went away in a straight line.<br><br>I haven't spent much time under my transmission, but is there a weep hole under the clutch where you could see any indications of a lube/fluid leak? Any wet spots on the bottom of the tranny? Still wondering if the clutch is wet from somewhere and causing that shuddering.

 

bulabula,<br>Everything under clutch housing is clean, no signs of oil leaks anywhere on drivetrain. Today we drove some 40 miles without any problem, several turns and stops made. Came to a stop had to make a left turn on starting, about 15 degrees, shaking started.<br>I immediately stopped. Every from then on the problem was there. It seems something in the drivetrain must reach some minimum temperature first. It is as though something either heats and warps or expands and causes a binding or a grabbing until the system has cooled down enough. <br><br>This problem was first noticed at about the same time as when the ring and pinion dirve bearing started howling. It has become gradually worse. It became an almost daily problem when driving solo by the end of February. However we were gone out of town until the last week in March. I have been experiencing this problem now for at least 10,000 miles. Since it is related to temperature it may have been this bad all along as we were still getting snow up till the end of April and daytime temps were not above 55 degrees. Now our temps are in the 70s. The Dr. visits I have at least weekly are in Sacramento where the temps have been in the 80s. The rough engagement problem shows up on my trips usually just before I start my return trip.<br><br>It is so frustrating. The old 36 Chebby Pickup on which I learned to drive had the original clutch and over 100,000 miles. It engaged smoothly all the time. It is so frustrating to have a new truck that starts from a stop like it is going to throw the drivetrain into the next traffic lane. :'(

 

Sorry to hear about the unresolved problem with your truck. I hope you have better luck at the other dealership Tuesday and they figure it out for you.<br>

 

It's always had the LSD chatter when I start on a turn, but now mine's doing exactly what you describe yours is. And it's been since the weather's turned warm here in TX. I haven't done anything to my truck, it just started.<br><br>Seems to have lessened since I had my lift pump replaced and the engine puts out normal power. Weird, huh?<br><br>I hope they figure out what's up with yours 'cause I have no idea where to look, just some shots in the dark. Please make sure and let us know!<br><br>

 

Phil,<br><br>I am still investigating this on my own and listening to what you are going through. We are doing some tests now to duplicate the problem and have someone look under the truck while it is doing it. Your very detailed descriptions and conditions when it occurs are exactly the same as mine. I still do not think that it is the clutch or flywheel though. One possibility that we came up with today is the the rubber mountings for the engine etc.... once warm, tend to be more flexible and therefore could make things shudder. I have not went to the dealer yet as I do not want to get the run around and be without my truck. I am just at 12k miles and the problems does not seem to be getting any worse or better, just about the same. I can keep it from doing it with some creative throttle and clutch work. I just got done doing a haul with the most weight I have towed yet and over the long run it did not seem to be too bad or damaging to the truck, just annoying as you know what!<br><br>I will try to chime in as I get to work on this and let you know how its going, I will also be watching your progress with the dealer. I am sure this problem is solvable.<br><br>CTDCAL.

 

Its late here, but are these symptoms related only to the 5 speed? I've got the 6-shooter and haven't had anything like this. Wonder if any 2nd gen guys (and 1st?) have been looking at this thread (for 5-spd applicability).

 

I have the same issue with my 98.5 5 speed. Just started w/ 83K on it. Weird.

 

Went to the Folsom Dodge Dealer today. One of three service adviser spent considerable witm with me. He then said he wanted the Shop Foreman, also their Diesel Specialist, to take a test drive. After explain the behavior of truck on clutch engagement, we took a 45 minute, unhurried test drive in which he observed the truck shaking. Afterward he stated he didn't believe with what he observed that it was a clutch problem. He did however feel that it was an &quot;drive-train related engineering problem&quot;. He requested that I hook up my 5er and take it to their dealership on Thursday for another test drive as he would like to observe the problem towing under heavy load.<br><br>His advice to minimize shaking, start in 2nd gear except when 1st is absolutly necessary. Engage clutch as quickly possible and keep the RPMs just above idle. (STAR said RPM no less than 800.) He had no solution for shaking when in Reverse.<br><br>Diesel Specialist said after the towing test-drive he will probably contact a Dodge engineering consultant in the SanFran Area. Who works with him on difficult to diagnose problems. <br><br>I told him if it is not possible to back up an incline with 5er attached, It is not dependable as a tow vehicle.<br><br>At least his attitude is cooperative and he has a start toward a diagnosis. <br><br>EncouragedButNotOutoftheWoodsPhil <br><br>

 

TODAY IS THE DAY. Shop Foreman/Diesel Specialist Tech for Folsom Dodge will have his opportunity to see how my truck shakes when backing my fiver. It shook so bad last evening, thought it was going to give me &quot;whiplash&quot; It would make him a believer if he got one. <br><br>I will report on this test drive ADVENTURE after I return from my 80 mile round trip. <br><br>Gottas Keep my KOOL! 8)