Is anyone else's shuddering when coming to a stop. I can roll to a stop (in neutral-no brakes) and it shudders pretty bad. I've very close to going to the new GMC. I know mine's 3 years old, but it only has 36K miles.

 

yes sir!!!!

 

My '03 F 350 4dr 4x4 with the short box shuddered until I lowered the carrier bearing about 3/4" with a spacer kit.

The truck in my sig does the same thing. The carrier bearing in it needs to be lowered too, just haven't done it yet.

A u-joint doesn't travel in a circle when running at an angle, it rotates eliptically, so the drive shaft has to be in phase. The opposing ends need to be within a few degrees of each other anglewise as well so the eliptical movements at both ends will cancel each other out.

 

SO there's a kit? What and where exactly needs spacing? Any pics? Thanks.

 

Just bringing this back to see if anyone has tried out tractions bars and if it helped the situation at all? Mine has been getting REALLY bad in reverse with a load almost to the point where I cant even back up loaded!! I need to figure something out quick before im replacing my rear end or tranny!

 

Guys with 6 speeds read this thread please:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...d.php?t=155517

 

I have my traction bars basically done, but can't find any time to get them installed. I think another 2-3 hours and they will be finished. I am hoping maybe this week, but it seems there is always something else that comes up and needs priority.

I'll let you know, and hopefully post some pics.

Vince99- If your problem is getting worse, I would look into the u-jount thing pourindiesel suggests. It sounds like you have a mechanical issue that is detiorating, such as a U-joint or center bearing. My issue has been there ever since the truck was new, and remains consistent. The dealership replaced the entire driveshaft assembly in an attempt to fix my problem, and it actually made it worse. I am fairly confident that simply replacing u-joints in my case will not solve the problem.

I don't think we have the exact same cause to a similar problem.

 

Mine is doing this also ( an 04.5 ). I have 34,000 miles on mine so I took it into the local dealership and they acknowledged the problem and told there is a fix but the part or parts are on back order. I can dig a little deeper to find out what my local dealer has coming for me and report back.

 

Could some of the problems be caused by the limited slip in the rear differential?

 

It is caused by the driveshaft set-up. mine did it when i bought it. my dealership replaced the entire driveshaft setup and shimmed the carriaer bearing. problem solved, never returned

 

where is the best place for a new carrier bearing? mine is SHOT as of last nights lead footed run down the freeway

 

had the prototype piece from engineering installed and it helped a bit unloaded, but didnt eliminate it by any means. when loaded it made it far worse where loaded before it was better for the most part unless i was really loaded up then it shook bad.

long story short, took the truck to a spring shop and added a leaf to the back and stiffened it up alot. unloaded it now doesnt shudder at all, but loaded it now shudders constantly and the more load the more shudder.

chryslers response has been to talk out of both sides of their mouth - its inherent to the vehicle, but they have a prototype fix...

this is edited by admin as the leas truck i had with this problem chewed thru 3 transmissions. i paid dearly for this truck.

anyways its going back to the dealer and we'll see again...


will keep u all posted.

Oren

 

If anyone has their heart set on a carrier bearing spacer to solve the issue rather than going to the dealer you can make one (like I did) with a simple piece of 1/4" steel.
Just drill two holes for the mounting bolts and buy some 3/8" bolts, nuts and washer from the hardware store and you have yourself a homemade carrier bearing spacer.

The whole job might take you all of an hour tops.
You'll need some 1/4" thick steel/iron and something to cut it with. A drill to make your holes for the bolts.

You dont even have to remove the driveshaft to install.
Simply unbolt one side, loosen the other and slide one side of the spacer in then install the new bolt and nut and start the next one.

You can also change driveshaft angles: like moving it over to one side or the other (truing) and that has seemed to help in certain instances.

 

I did the same thing, made a spacer. I used some square tube stock. It resolved my problem, not sure if I got the perfect angle on the drive shaft though. I need to check it again.

 

Just to forewarn I am going to do a liitle venting here...

I have tried the center bearing spacer thing, going as much as 3/4" in 1/4" increments, and it did eliminate it when unloaded, but did nothing for me with the 5th wheel in tow. Since I bought the truck primarily to tow my trailer, this is a problem.

I have also tried to tapered axle shims to try to get the driveline angles changed. I followed the service bulletin to the letter, and ended up worse than it was before, both loaded and unloaded. I did find some success with this, but it was at the expense of a steep pinion angle the I wasn't comforable with running.

The truck has had 2 complete sets of driveline in it, so I am fairly confident I don't have a u-joint issue.

My best hope so far is the ladder bar idea, but even if it does fix it, it is not without issues. It may limit re-sale, as prospective buyers would wonder what "those things" are for, and if I sell the truck without them, I would have to hope they never towed with it, as it is a very noticable problem. I don't have any plans to sell it, but it is still a considersation.

The center bearing spacer seems to work for most people, and if it solved my problem, I would be all over it. But to repeatedly tell me to put one in, and your problems will be solved is over-simplification, and doesn't help me in the slightest.

My plan B may end up being buyback.

I realize there are people on this board who have a lot of experience with these trucks, and I respect thier opinion, but constructive advise at this point is appreciated.

Ok I am done now!