I have the part/full time transfer case and when in full time 4wd I notice a very strong vibration in the front end. It is worse when the wheels are turned off center. Anyone else experience this? Thoughts?

 

Yes, mine vibrates when I accelerate, noticeable but not strong. Feels to me as if it is coming from the front also. My 04 Ram did the same thing so I assumed it is normal?

 

Same for me. I was told to rotate tires. Let you know if it helps.

 

I highly doubt that it is tires or tire balance. It would do it all the time. I suspect that there is something in the front drive train that is out of spec.

 

that is what i told the tech at the dealership. but he insisted it was the tires.

 

when your wheels are turned off center, your drivetrain is binding. That's how 4x4 works. To be able to turn in 4x4, your tires need to slip. That slipping and binding is what you are feeling. Have you owned a 4x4 truck before?

 

All ten trucks I have owned have been four wheel drive, a mix of solid front (live axles) and independent front suspensions. My wife has a full time all-wheel drive Yukon. I know on dry surfaces part time drives will bind when the wheel is cranked, been there done that. This was a slight turn on very, very wet surface and it wasn't the binding feel. I had the same vibrations with the wheels dead center, just not as pronounces. Not binding, 100% sure of that.

 

In a straight line there isn't any binding or slip. All I know is that a 40,000 dollar truck shouldn't shake back and forth like this in a straight line. Also occurs on gravel. My last Ram didn't do this and the 3 dakotas before that didn't do that and all were 4X4. I would have to guess it is the front driveshaft. Maybe the CV joint is binding causing a poping in and out making the **** under, engine/trans/transfer case, move side to side. My 2cents.

 

Front drive shaft is out of balance.....

 

guys,
I needed to be in 4x4 to back up over some grass and parallel part on blacktop...and 2 times i had the wheel slightly turned and it felt like I was rubbing on the curb/ it wouldn't move an inch...so I put it in drive and when the wheels were straight there was no binding?? Is that normal...no speed involved just backing up and putting a slight turn on the wheel. Wheels felt locked up.

any ideas,

Dave