Drive Shaft Issue?
Drive Shaft Issue?
I have my 2003 Dodge 2500 with a Cummins Diesel engine in for service. It has 39,000 miles and has never been off-road. As far as I know I've never gone over a curb, etc. I do use it to pull my 25 foot Airstream Travel Trailer.
When I took it in for service the dealer pointed out that my drive shaft has a dent in it. It is the approximate size of your thumb and between 1/2 to 3/8 inch deep. The repair guy says it also has a thump when putting it in Drive or Reverse. He says the thump is not coming from the transmission but rather the drive shaft. This doesn't make sense to me. I tried to see if there was any play in the shaft but it seemed very solid. They assured me it was not coming from the u-joints.
I'm in Santa Fe, NM and live in Florida. Because of the length of time it takes to get a new drive shaft the dealer is telling me to use it -as is- until I get back to Florida, a 2,000 mile trip but that I should have it replaced when I return.
I'm concerned that if there is something wrong with the drive shaft that it may breakdown on the road where I may not have the benefit of a dealer. My question is: Do you think this is an issue or can I just use it until whenever? Thanks in advance for your help. God knows I can use some good advice.
John
When I took it in for service the dealer pointed out that my drive shaft has a dent in it. It is the approximate size of your thumb and between 1/2 to 3/8 inch deep. The repair guy says it also has a thump when putting it in Drive or Reverse. He says the thump is not coming from the transmission but rather the drive shaft. This doesn't make sense to me. I tried to see if there was any play in the shaft but it seemed very solid. They assured me it was not coming from the u-joints.
I'm in Santa Fe, NM and live in Florida. Because of the length of time it takes to get a new drive shaft the dealer is telling me to use it -as is- until I get back to Florida, a 2,000 mile trip but that I should have it replaced when I return.
I'm concerned that if there is something wrong with the drive shaft that it may breakdown on the road where I may not have the benefit of a dealer. My question is: Do you think this is an issue or can I just use it until whenever? Thanks in advance for your help. God knows I can use some good advice.
John
Registered User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Athens, AL
If it's only a dent and doesn't have any cracks in or around it, I'd say run it. Did you notice any vibration at all in the truck? More than likely, it's been there a while, and they just noticed it. If it doesn't vibrate or have a crack in it then it shouldn't affect anything.
