60-65mph shaking

Bobby M · #1 07-10-2009, 04:10 PM

First off, this is what I have: 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 SXT, Reg Cab, Automatic Transmission, 6 cyl engine. I don't use it to haul around anything; I pretty much just use it for driving around.

A few days after I bought it I noticed the truck would shake when driving between 60-65 mph. It wouldn't shake below 60mph, and seemed to stop shaking after I got it above 65mph. I was going to take it back to the dealer but then all of a sudden it just stopped doing it. Or I think more accurately... The shaking became so unnoticeable that I was no longer certain I could convince the dealer that it was actually shaking. So I just chalked it up to being a new vehicle and I was going through some sort of "break-in" period and it just worked itself out.

But now it seems like the shaking is coming back and becoming more noticeable again. Again, same as before, it only occurs when driving between 60-65 mph. I've read up on all sorts of theories about this:

- bad tires
- front end is out of alignment
- the overdrive transmission kicks in too early to up the mpg for the epa
- it's a design flaw in the truck

So, has anyone else out there had this problem?

I bought it brand new less than 4 months ago, but I know that it had sat on the dealer's lot for awhile (it was built in like May 2008). I just chalked that up to it having 2 things few other people wanted - a regular cab and a 6 cyl engine. I also had a problem with it spitting out gas whenever I would fill up. The dealer fixed that problem by replacing the entire gas tank. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Bluesmanjesse · #2 07-10-2009, 05:37 PM

My buddy had a similar problem on his 2nd gen Ram,as it turns out alot of the driveshafts on those trucks were out of balance from the factory,Dodge Paid to fix it for him. The vibes only showed up at certain speeds kinda like what you are saying,the bad tire theory is a good one too especially if it sat in one spot on thier lot without moving for a long time.

dirtydog · #3 07-10-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluesmanjesse

My buddy had a similar problem on his 2nd gen Ram,as it turns out alot of the driveshafts on those trucks were out of balance from the factory,Dodge Paid to fix it for him. The vibes only showed up at certain speeds kinda like what you are saying,the bad tire theory is a good one too especially if it sat in one spot on thier lot without moving for a long time.

Radials don't get "flat spots" like the bias ply tire used to, so i doubt that is the issue.
I'm thinking that maybe the vibrating you are experiencing is possibly from the torque converter slipping?
Generally when a driveshaft is out of balance or a u-joint is worn the vibration is proportional to your speed and has a low/high vibration. it pulses back and forth low/high/low/high..etc
Tire balance/wheel damage is a steady vibration as are as most other issue's.
i would consider the tq'verter
Just a guess

tuned93 · #4 07-10-2009, 05:45 PM

i have an 03 quad cab 4.7, and have the same problem... it rode fine until i lowered it. springs up front and a flip kit in the rear. i checked the rear (pinion angle and all that stuff) everythings fine, but i never got the front re-aligned after the drop. so i figure thats what it is, the alignment. i say go get one and see if that helps. i know thats what im gonna be doing soon...

Bobby M · #5 07-10-2009, 06:27 PM

Thanks for the input, guys. I figure sooner or later I'm going to figure this problem out if I bounce it off enough people's heads. I figure I got about 2 1/2 years left on the bumper-to-bumper warranty.

I forgot to mention that I actually mentioned this problem to the dealer when I had my gas tank replaced. Of course, they claimed they couldn't feel the shake. But I was supposed to bring it back so the service manager could drive it when he came back from vacation. When the shake went away for a little while, I figured why bother?

I just hope I'm able to nail down this problem (and get it fixed) before my bumper-to-bumper warranty runs out. I have no idea what this would cost to fix - worst case scenario - if I had to pay for it out of pocket.

Bluesmanjesse · #6 07-10-2009, 06:35 PM

Ya I agree Dog you would feel a tire problem all the time,but in my buddys truck the drive shaft vibes were only there to the point you could feel them from like 52mph to like 58mph or something like that. I remember me and him drove all over the country side trying to figure out where it was coming from.

Bobby M · #7 07-10-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirtydog

Radials don't get "flat spots" like the bias ply tire used to, so i doubt that is the issue.
I'm thinking that maybe the vibrating you are experiencing is possibly from the torque converter slipping?
Generally when a driveshaft is out of balance or a u-joint is worn the vibration is proportional to your speed and has a low/high vibration. it pulses back and forth low/high/low/high..etc
Tire balance/wheel damage is a steady vibration as are as most other issue's.
i would consider the tq'verter
Just a guess

So, that's 3 votes for the drive shaft. Is that an expensive thing to fix if I have to end up doing it out-of-pocket? Is that something covered by my bumper-to-bumper warranty? Lifetime powertrain warranty?

Keep in mind I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to fixing cars/trucks/kitchen sinks...

dirtydog · #8 07-10-2009, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby M

So, that's 3 votes for the drive shaft. Is that an expensive thing to fix if I have to end up doing it out-of-pocket? Is that something covered by my bumper-to-bumper warranty? Lifetime powertrain warranty?

Keep in mind I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to fixing cars/trucks/kitchen sinks...

Lifetime Powertrain Warranty! so, no rush....lol

kjun · #9 07-10-2009, 08:14 PM

Tire out of balance does not have to show itself at all speeds. I have seen tire balance cause exactly what you say on a Jeep Cherokee.

May not be your problem but try and rotate the tires and see if it goes away or feels different. An out of balance tire will cause different feelings depending on whether it is in the front or back. Worth a shot and its free.....

Bluesmanjesse · #10 07-10-2009, 08:52 PM

Also and this is a long shot,if you are frequently in mud/snow it can get caked in your wheel and put it out of balance and then go away as it comes off/melts,probably not your problem but worth an honerable mention for future generations.