Another vibration noise problem
New member but old hand.
Big Jeep fan and bought this 2001 ram 1500 with 5.9 auto mainly for towing (Jeep XJ to events and camping).
Same noise/vibration 35-45 reported by members on this site as well as other sites. Quite loud and scary in the 35-45 range and gets drowned out a bit above that.
What I've done so far.
1) Put truck on stands and ran up to 45. Same noise vibration still there but could not locate. Did feel vibration on my feet at the floor board.
2) Removed rear driveshaft and ran again. Seemed the noise was gone and focused on pinion problem.
3) Pulled cover and axles and I just don't see it. Gear oil reasonably clean and pinion has no end to end play or lateral play. Just backlash. Rotates by hand smooth with no noticeable growling.
4) Refocused on transfer case as that was my original guess until I read so many issues about 9.25 pinion bearings. Drained fluid into clean bucket and found it to be a 5 or 6 in a 0-10 burnt range. Also had some particulates in it.
5) pulled transfer case figuring replacing chain wouldn't be a waste of time as truck has 172k. Again I just don't see what I'm expecting. No damage at all, bearings turn smooth with no noticeable wear.
6) Dropped the transmission pan and found nothing there. Fluid clean and in good shape. Didn't figure the transmission for this as noise/vibe is related to vehicle speed not engine.
7) Examined driveshaft u joints and found none with play or binding. Replacing would certainly be in order anyway.
I don't mind doing the pinion rebuild or the transfer case but sure would like to have some confidence I'm fixing the problem. Any ideas?
Thnx
Big Jeep fan and bought this 2001 ram 1500 with 5.9 auto mainly for towing (Jeep XJ to events and camping).
Same noise/vibration 35-45 reported by members on this site as well as other sites. Quite loud and scary in the 35-45 range and gets drowned out a bit above that.
What I've done so far.
1) Put truck on stands and ran up to 45. Same noise vibration still there but could not locate. Did feel vibration on my feet at the floor board.
2) Removed rear driveshaft and ran again. Seemed the noise was gone and focused on pinion problem.
3) Pulled cover and axles and I just don't see it. Gear oil reasonably clean and pinion has no end to end play or lateral play. Just backlash. Rotates by hand smooth with no noticeable growling.
4) Refocused on transfer case as that was my original guess until I read so many issues about 9.25 pinion bearings. Drained fluid into clean bucket and found it to be a 5 or 6 in a 0-10 burnt range. Also had some particulates in it.
5) pulled transfer case figuring replacing chain wouldn't be a waste of time as truck has 172k. Again I just don't see what I'm expecting. No damage at all, bearings turn smooth with no noticeable wear.
6) Dropped the transmission pan and found nothing there. Fluid clean and in good shape. Didn't figure the transmission for this as noise/vibe is related to vehicle speed not engine.
7) Examined driveshaft u joints and found none with play or binding. Replacing would certainly be in order anyway.
I don't mind doing the pinion rebuild or the transfer case but sure would like to have some confidence I'm fixing the problem. Any ideas?
Thnx
New member but old hand.
Big Jeep fan and bought this 2001 ram 1500 with 5.9 auto mainly for towing (Jeep XJ to events and camping).
Same noise/vibration 35-45 reported by members on this site as well as other sites. Quite loud and scary in the 35-45 range and gets drowned out a bit above that.
What I've done so far.
1) Put truck on stands and ran up to 45. Same noise vibration still there but could not locate. Did feel vibration on my feet at the floor board.
2) Removed rear driveshaft and ran again. Seemed the noise was gone and focused on pinion problem.
3) Pulled cover and axles and I just don't see it. Gear oil reasonably clean and pinion has no end to end play or lateral play. Just backlash. Rotates by hand smooth with no noticeable growling.
4) Refocused on transfer case as that was my original guess until I read so many issues about 9.25 pinion bearings. Drained fluid into clean bucket and found it to be a 5 or 6 in a 0-10 burnt range. Also had some particulates in it.
5) pulled transfer case figuring replacing chain wouldn't be a waste of time as truck has 172k. Again I just don't see what I'm expecting. No damage at all, bearings turn smooth with no noticeable wear.
6) Dropped the transmission pan and found nothing there. Fluid clean and in good shape. Didn't figure the transmission for this as noise/vibe is related to vehicle speed not engine.
7) Examined driveshaft u joints and found none with play or binding. Replacing would certainly be in order anyway.
I don't mind doing the pinion rebuild or the transfer case but sure would like to have some confidence I'm fixing the problem. Any ideas?
Thnx
Big Jeep fan and bought this 2001 ram 1500 with 5.9 auto mainly for towing (Jeep XJ to events and camping).
Same noise/vibration 35-45 reported by members on this site as well as other sites. Quite loud and scary in the 35-45 range and gets drowned out a bit above that.
What I've done so far.
1) Put truck on stands and ran up to 45. Same noise vibration still there but could not locate. Did feel vibration on my feet at the floor board.
2) Removed rear driveshaft and ran again. Seemed the noise was gone and focused on pinion problem.
3) Pulled cover and axles and I just don't see it. Gear oil reasonably clean and pinion has no end to end play or lateral play. Just backlash. Rotates by hand smooth with no noticeable growling.
4) Refocused on transfer case as that was my original guess until I read so many issues about 9.25 pinion bearings. Drained fluid into clean bucket and found it to be a 5 or 6 in a 0-10 burnt range. Also had some particulates in it.
5) pulled transfer case figuring replacing chain wouldn't be a waste of time as truck has 172k. Again I just don't see what I'm expecting. No damage at all, bearings turn smooth with no noticeable wear.
6) Dropped the transmission pan and found nothing there. Fluid clean and in good shape. Didn't figure the transmission for this as noise/vibe is related to vehicle speed not engine.
7) Examined driveshaft u joints and found none with play or binding. Replacing would certainly be in order anyway.
I don't mind doing the pinion rebuild or the transfer case but sure would like to have some confidence I'm fixing the problem. Any ideas?
Thnx
Still there? Rebuild rear driveline and try again. Maybe find a shop that can balance drivelines. It might have thrown a weight off at some point. Just ideas for you to try. New u joints in a truck with an unknown history doesn't hurt anyway.
*I know the front driveline isn't suppose to spin while driving, but I've only found a hand full out of all that I've been around that didnt.
Got the same or similar problem. Although I've never read anything on here about a common vibration so not sure where you come up with that.
Mine started three years ago and is a high speed buzz felt in the floor board at certain speeds and rpms. However, it also does it in neutral coasting and with clutch disengaged so I have narrowed it to the drivetrain. Which means it could be anything.
Just yesterday I did the fluids in my two diffs and everything checked out also. Little glitter in the d44 but no chips or shavings. All oils have been checked or serviced. Ujoints do not buzz like this. Ujoints vibrate like a wobble in the butt. This feels like an electric razor hitting the floorboard. So I'm right there with you OP. If you can figure it out, I'm all ears. Lord knows I'm frustrated.
And yes, the front driveshaft spins but is not engaged. That's how our systems work.
Mine started three years ago and is a high speed buzz felt in the floor board at certain speeds and rpms. However, it also does it in neutral coasting and with clutch disengaged so I have narrowed it to the drivetrain. Which means it could be anything.
Just yesterday I did the fluids in my two diffs and everything checked out also. Little glitter in the d44 but no chips or shavings. All oils have been checked or serviced. Ujoints do not buzz like this. Ujoints vibrate like a wobble in the butt. This feels like an electric razor hitting the floorboard. So I'm right there with you OP. If you can figure it out, I'm all ears. Lord knows I'm frustrated.
And yes, the front driveshaft spins but is not engaged. That's how our systems work.







