It's not real often that I get the oppurtunity to tell the service manager "I told you so", but tomorrow I get to do just that. I've told them repeatedly that the angle in the driveline (drive shaft) was wrong. I have been following NotShudderingAnyMoreBOB's posts, and tried to explain the spacer solution...wasn't working...just got the deer in the headlights look. Well, now they have to fix it, because when I decelerate it sounds and feels like somthing's gonna fly apart under there. So, if you have a shimmy while pulling heavy loads, especially in 1st and 2nd gear, chances are your gonna be in the same situation. FYI my truck has 24,500 miles on it.

Cat Cracker.

 

Have them try different sized shims to determine the best for yours. We started at 1/4", then 3/8", then 1/2", ended up at about 5/16. Still get a little shudder in first, touch in second, gone it third, but it's liveable. Have them use some large washers for the shims and don't push it when shimmed - - just enough to test it. The final was a solid plate with two holes drilled in it. I kept the original bolts in the glove compartment just in case I'm on the Alcan highway and say "OOOPPPSSS".

 

I have already gone through a ds u-joint in the middle of the ds and I have a shuddering taking off in 1and 2 even when empty. it's pretty much gone by 1600 rpm.
and after the ujoint replacement I have a nasty driveline vibe at highway speeds in the 1900 rpm range. guess I have to make time to get it in the shop again.

Hey bob, what are they shimming on your truck?

 

Rob,
We shimmed down the carrier bearing assembly. My problem was only when loaded with a heavy fiver. Several autos commented they got some shudder when launching fast when empty. You can't launch the stick very good - - it just takes off so fast you have problems pulling your foot back off to shift before she is screaming. We dropped the whole assembly and it decreased the shudder by about 75%. It is completely liveable now - - only notice it if I really push the peddle in 1st or 2nd. No change in the unloaded condition which was fine.

 

Thanks Bob, I'll try to talk them into doing that, but they haven't been very co-operative so far. I am a customer, what could I possibly know??? I took the service manager for a ride loaded, pulled out hard in 1st and 2nd, felt the vibration, and said "see what I mean", he just looked at me and said "what vibration?" He's in denial. maybe when I need another u-joint @ 50K he'll pay attention. I also have some injector knock, and the fan clutch sounds like its ready to fly apart...but he didn't hear that either...

Cat Cracker.