I recently bought an 04 Duranto with a 3.7. It had a bunch of issues and most of them are cleared up except for two; the growel/rumble noise and a bad catalytic on the left side.

I begin to hear and feel the growel/rumble at 20-25 mph. It seems to be right under the driver/passenger feet and becomes very noticeable in the 40-45 mph range with a fairly heavy vibration/noise. The steering wheel is vibrating and it is felt in both front seats. It sounds like driving over the rumble marks on the side of the road except it is a low base sound and is loud and soft like a turning a reostat switch.

It gets better after the 50 mph mark but at 70+ the front end is vibrating and shaking, getting woese as the vehicle speed increases.
The low speed growel/rumble does not go away if the trani is placed inin nuetral.

I've been to 2 mechanic shops and this has etumped both. This is what has been done thus far:

1. Checked the wheels, ball joints, suspension, etc and all are tight.
2. Bought new tires
3. Complete wheel alignment
4. replace the drive shaft
5. Rebalanced the front wheels - This eliminated 50% of the high speed noise/vibration so I will get the tires rebalanced at a different shop.
6. Ran the drive train with the D on a rack; checked the ujoints. There is some (not much) movement where the shaft goes into the trani but the ujoint is tight.

Any thoughts on this one? What else can be checked?

Thanks much, Kenn

 

Did you replace the sway bar bushings? There is an earlier thread that is very similiar to this problem and he replaced the bushings and all is well,
FF

 

No, it's worth a try.

How much play is normal wher the drive shaft goes into the tranni?

Thanks,

kenn

 

none IIRC

And it's tranny, not tranni, as in HS.

 

Gee, ya missed a bigger and better opportuinty. It's not "wher", it's "where"

I git the last laugh

Now, what is your solution?

kenn

 

Hummm. Not much bigger than a tranni named HS.

 

So, what do you think? Could be bad/worn out exhaust hangers and/or exhaust system. I've read where others have had a similar problem and it was traced to the exhaust system. Something to do with the heat transfer, etc. Not sure it makes sense but .............

kenn

 

Get under there and have someone wiggle the exhaust (cold!) in the area you think you are hearing it bang. Sound the same with you seated in the car? If so, bingo.

With that said, not many reports of aged hangers and none with early failure due to exhaust heat. Always the first time I guess as the 2004 first year Gen2s start to age we may be hearing more of it I guess.

How is the wheel hub on that side? Also how is the body dampener on that side?

IndyD

 

I found this info in another forum:

What, exactly, is a "drone" in regards to this? It's a noise that is caused by something (exhaust system) but presents itself in an area not necessarily at the origin???

kenn

NUMBER: 11-002-04 REV. A
GROUP: Exhaust
DATE: September 9, 2004
THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 11-002-04, DATED FEB. 10, 2004, WHICH SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES. THIS IS A COMPLETE REVISION AND NO ASTERISKS HAVE BEEN USED TO HIGHLIGHT REVISIONS.
SUBJECT:
Exhaust Drone
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves aligning the exhaust system and installing a damper.
MODELS:
2004 (HB) Durango
NOTE : This Bulletin Applies To Vehicles Built Prior To June 8, 2004 (MDH 0608XX).
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
A drive line vibration or drone may be present between 1900 and 2400 RPM. The condition is most noticeable on light acceleration or at steady cruising speed at 1900 RPM on vehicles with 5.7L and 4.7L engines and at 2400 RPM on 3.7L engines.
DIAGNOSIS:
If customers indicate that the conditions present, perform the Repair Procedure.
PARTS REQUIRED:
1-05161304AA Tail Pipe Hanger Pkg.
1-05161308AA Muffler Hanger Pkg.

 

Did you end up finding the fix? I have a similar issue on my 04 durango. 3.7l 2wd, droning sound & vibrations right around 2400 rpms. I was thinking drive shaft since the engine was replaced about 50k miles ago and the loud thunk shifting into reverse but if you found it please pass your knowledge my way!