41pawpaw....I told the service manager today about the cracks I noticed on my old set of tires. He knew right off the bat why they were there....A new vehicle may sit on the lot many months before it is sold and to avoid permanent flat spots on the tires the dealer raises the air pressure to 50 psi. On the flip side, sitting all that time with 50 psi causes the cracking. He said it is a no win situation.
My truck was there to attempt another fix for the vibration, however no attempt was made due to the fact the truck wasn't vibrating during the short drive with the service manager. During the drive he began alluding to the fact that the vibration is probably "normal". I may try another dealer.

 

Guys, My cracks were the result of tire dressing, (by the Michelin dealer and there was no indication of a problem. Naturally I didn't buy it, I told him "we'll see" and I'd be back. I did hear about the 50 psi technique also.
Has anyone else been told there vibration is from the "torque converter lockup "drone"? I'm waiting to hear from Daimler Chrsyler and the svc manager for a fix. I read that unlocking it causes poorer fuel mileage though. The factory rep even mentioned that my oval side step rails were mounted to the frame and body and shorting out the body to frame insulators. But removing them allowed the vibrations to be worse! I passed this info to the svc mgr. He is waiting to hear from thefac. rep. also.
Happy New Year!

 

I would be interested in hearing what you're told by DC on this situation because, frankly, I'm not buying it. I've been studying the FSM and a drone from the torque converter doesn't seem possible unless it is a faulty converter and was out of balance from the start. It contains most of the fluid in the transmission and that is one heck of a dampening factor for vibrations. Of course there are so many selonids and bells and whistles on the tranny, who knows.
http://www.hotrodlane.cc/New%20HEMI%...mi%20trans.pdf
Starting on page 96 it explains how the torque converter works. If you can stay awake reading it, maybe it will help answer your questions.
I was able to reduce my vibration problem greatly by placing the rear of the truck on jack stands, removing the rear wheels, reinstalling the lug nutsand spinning the axle and driveshaft up to the speed where the vibration starts. From here I indexed my shaft and shimmed the tranny about 1/2" with poly bushingsand it helped alot. I did notice though, and I know this is strange, that the vibration that was still in the truck is nearly the exact same pitch as the exhaust drone which gives credibility to the exhaust being clamped to tightly to the truck.
BTW, I have a recordingstudio and do a lot of live sound recordings and such. I'm kind of "tuned" to those things.....

 

I am lucky enough not to have a vibration, but I have heard on other forums that it *may be* fixed by dampers attached to the frame. I know that I have 2 dampers, one on each side of the bed, attached directly to the frame. Not sure if what I heard holds any water, but if you don't have those things attached to your frame it may be something to look into.

 

HelloForum, I heard from the svc mngr, he states that the factory rep. said: "I can't do anthing else with that vehecle." Well, I sent a 3 page certified letter to DC today. I gave them this vibration / drone history and asked them some questions concerning the rep's statement. I "hope" I hear from them soon.
I'm in so. CA, does anybody know the other factory rep for this area? Any dealer in this area would have the same rep; (Dan Rapp), and I would like to get a second opinon from a diff. rep.
I'll stay in tough, Keep the faith!