2001 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 QC 5.9 Noticeable vibration at 40-50 mph on flat, non-bumpy highway. No vibration before or after this range of speed. Tranny shop that recently rebuilt my trans said my transfer case tail housing had broken, and replaced it with one they had in the shop that had 3 ears on it, compared to mine that only had 2 left. He also said torsion bar bushings (might have said sway bar bushings) were shot and were causing front end noise, could these be what are causing the vibration as well as a slight "clank" when I hit a sizable bump in the road? Also, if someone could point out what the sway bars on this truck look like, that'd help me tremendously. I assume they are the 2 large bars parallel with the truck.

EDIT: I don't know why I thought the control arms were sway bars, could the control arm bushings cause this vibration?

 

I would start simple...check the wheel bearings and joints...do you feel the vibration in the wheel or the seat/floor?

 

The sway bar is the wide u-shaped bar that is attached to the frame and both ends of the front axle, it also runs right in front of the front differential cover. It won't cause an issue if the bushings are worn out unless one of the sway bar end links pops out and hits the tire. A lot of guys take them off and the only thing that happens when you do that is a little more body roll when you turn. I ran without one for something like 6 months to a year.

A 45-50 mph vibration is normally wheel balance.

 

Rotate that tires, see if the vibration changes.

 

tire balance or shifted belt in tire

 

But for S&Gs, fix whatever is causing the front end noise...It is just good practice to fix broken "stuff."

 

I vote tire imbalance or out of round. If you have a set of heavy duty jackstands that you trust and makes the truck rock solid, you could pick up the back of the truck and let it run in gear. (Obviously not in 4X4) If a tire shakes or is out of round, you will most likely see it pretty easily.

 

Only reason I am puzzled is that it didn't do this before the tranny was rebuilt.

Sorry it took me so long to reply, been at work.

 

Double check U Joints. Make sure they are tight and centered in yokes. check transmission mount.

 

the shop may be trying to pull more money out of you by removing a wheel weight then telling you need something else for x amount of $ I see it all the time people come in complaining shops did that