pourindiesel...
thanks for saving me a HUGE headache...glad I didn't try that. I'm still a little unsure of the u-joints at only 6k miles but I'll try it.

 

With an auto tranny and 6k miles you might want to enquire further as to what is going on with your truck.
I can only speak on behalf of 6 speed owners and the 2 piece driveshaft people.

I would find it hard to believe that at 6k miles your u joints are shot (anythings possible) but if you did end up replacing them with greasables at least you would have piece of mind and eliminate a potential future issue.

 

Ok, here is the latest update on my vehicle.

Got a call from the service rep this morning and the first thing he said was, "I don't know what was going hoist on Sat., because we couldn't find anything wrong with the u-joints. But we put it on a different hoist today and the center u-joint is definitly loose. And, instead of just messing with one u-joint, we are going to replace the whole driveline."

When I asked him if this included a new carrier bearing, he replied that he thought they came with a new carrier bearing, but he wasn't real sure.

They had to order the new driveline from Portland and I should be getting a call telling me my truck is once again ready to roll tomorrow afternoon. I guess I will find out then whether or not the new driveline comes with a new carrier bearing.

Hopefully, it will drive a little better then new, and good luck to all of you who are still having the shudder problems.

DMH

 

The new driveshaft assembly WILL come with a new carrier bearing. I just bought one earlier this year.

 

Well, the new drive shaft did the trick. No more shudder at takeoff.

I can't feel any shudder now. Much better.

DMH

 

did they look at this TSB?

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2004/03-003-04.htm

sounds like it is fixed, but hope it does not happen again soon for you.

 

Do the 2006 models use the same U-joints? Precision 351A. Also, do the 2006 models use the same carrier bearings, are they greasable? If so, anyone have a p/n for them?

I used to always carry a set of U-joints just in case I needed them somewhere along the road in my travels. It was a great peace-of-mind to have the parts. I always broke down on Sundays or holidays with stuff, or, wherever I was, usually out in the boonies, it was hard to get parts.

If these start having problems in the 22K+ mileages, it would be just better to change them out, carry a spare set, and be done with it. So inexpensive to just fix and be able to lube them vrs all the other headaches. Even if you got a new set under your warranty, they would still be the same inferior crap as you started with - be right back with the same issues in the same amount of time only to finally change out to the greasables. Sometime prevention does equal a pound of cure.

CD

 

Great thread. I think I've found the answer to a recent problem...

I started experiencing something similar this weekends on my 2004.5 SWB quad cab. Now a couple days later it appears to be getting much worse. I am hearing a noise somewhere mid-chassis or back along with a vibration and loud groan at highway speeds. My milage is currently at 75,000 (mostly highway) and I only tow about 1 day a month, load varrying between 5,500 - 10,000lbs. I had both front u-joints (at each hub) replaced at 72,000mi.

Thanks for the info guys.

 

do the 351a fit auto trans models also