Hi, everybody, I'm an new member with a couple of issues with my new to me, 2004 Dodge 1500 4x4 with the 4.7 liter v8.

1. I had the front crank seal replaced about two months ago. After that, a week later started making a knocking sound. It only knocks at start up in the morning, usually for a minute or so, and then goes away. It has been getting a little louder but still goes away. Wondering if it could be related to the crank seal? I would take it back to the mechanic that did the work, but found out that he is not recommended by friends I've talked to...

2. The truck has a weird shake at 65mph and up. Sometimes it feels like it gonna shake itself apart, but then sometimes will not shake at all. When it shakes the stick shift is violently vibrating back and fourth. Took it to Les Schwab had the tires road force balanced, they couldn't find anything wrong with them. Had this checked out by the mechanic, who i mentioned before, while he did the seal. He replaced the u-joints, had the drive shaft balanced, which supposedly was out a lot. Still no luck.. The guy I bought it from said that the shaking started after he had all tires replaced. Tires are only few thousand miles old. Don't want to have tires replaced, and have the truck still shake.

Any help greatly appreciated... THANKS

 

The seal is not related to the engine noise unless it's leaking and the engine is low on oil which I doubt that's the case.
Truck shaking...does it have a leveling kit on it? So the guy that sold it to you obviously knew that the shaking was a problem and never told you about it? Kinda shady. Anyways, there have been a few guys that had pronounced shaking after a tire install due to the size and weight of the tires enhanced the shake. Have you had our tierods and balljoint checked out?

 

It does have a leveling kit, and i'll take it in and get the tie rods etc. checked.

 

My 2003 has always had a quiet knock when the engine is cold. Normally I'd worry, but I heard the knock at least 2 years before I bought the truck (from family) and it hasn't changed. I can't say it's normal for the 4.7, but it is normal for mine.

The shake could be lots of things. Snow/ice in the rim, bad ball joint/tie rod end, a lost wheel weight, bent rim... the timing with a tire change is suspicious. I've heard stories on here of other people going to multiple shops because the others said the tires were fine. This does sound similar to those stories. I hate to waste money, but you could get a second or third opinion on the tire balance.

 

had this problem with a dodge last week. guy thought the truck was running rough and it was shaking at high speeds. turns out it was just a u-joint and ran fine. try twisting your driveshaft by hand to see if you have any unnatural play.

 

i would also pop the driveshaft out and twist/rotate the joint on its axis, if there is any tightness or binding replace it, also pull the caps make sure all the needle bearings are there, under a load that will move the center of the joint and cause a vibration. Any of the above conditions exist replace the joint. You can pull the driveshaft out your self if you have basic hand tools and there are tons of videos on youtube on how to replace ujoints with a hammer and sockets. I have a press and sometimes its quicker to use that method than actually using the press..

 

I had a shake at 60+ awhile ago... thought it was tranny shake, converter messn up or something..
Ended up being U joint.. check those first like others are saying.
Also had a Shake while cornering or braking.. That was the Tie rods
replaced inners and outers bother sides.
No more shakes, except for mud in the rims..