[declan09]

I have had my Ram for 1 year. I was driving in bad weather last weekend so I placed it in 4x4 HI (for the 2nd time ever). The truck started to shake like there was an earthquake every time I gave it some gas (going around 10 mph). It has been at the dealership for a week and they are clueless. 1 mechanic thinks it is in the front end and another thinks it is in the rear end. They just keep replacing parts. They have installed new front axles and drive shaft, some type of bearings, and now they are going to try the main drive shaft. What happens if they can't figure out what is wrong with it? Just curious.

 

[jacksonsnorth]

I honestly cant imagine it being the rear end since it only does it in 4wd. Does it only do it when the wheel is turned or all the time? Is it equipped with a locker or no? lot of variables there. If you have a warranty then dont worry about it, you should be driving a truck loaner for free and they will repair it no matter what it is if under warranty. keep us posted.

 

[redlightrico]

Definitely not in the rear end. If it was she'd be boppin down the road all the time, not just in 4HI. that being said, you're under warranty so your a$$ is covered, they'll figure it out.
Good luck, keep us up to date !!

 

[IH Scout Driver]

Since it's only happening in 4WD, you are limited to transfer case, front drive shaft and front axle assembly. To me, it sounds as if the u-joints are bound up or the front diff has a tooth bound up when under "drive" conditions. Do you have any knocking or is it just a hard vibration?

The front axle assembly is in free spin mode unless you are in 4x; so it could be a bad chain in the t-case. Sometimes I wish that these trucks had manual hubs so that you could further determine if you have a bound up u-joint or a bad shaft somewhere.

Since it sounds as if it is also under warranty, I don't think you should worry about it unless they cannot fix the issue. If they can't figure it out, then take it to a reputable 4x shop in your area (some trans shops will have a clue) and have them take a look at the situation. They'll probably be able to get it figured out in a couple hours & be sure to let Corporate know you had to go this route since the dealership couldn't fix it. It should still be covered by the warranty!

Good luck with getting this solved.

 

[huntergreen]

i am having the thing, haven't gone back to dealer yet.

 

[seltzer]

No clue what's wrong, but

Hey Neighbor! Finally see someone from my neck of the woods here!

Good luck with the fix.

 

[jacksonsnorth]

Sometimes I wish that these trucks had manual hubs so that you could further determine if you have a bound up u-joint or a bad shaft somewhere.

I remember back in the days of mu old Power Wagon ...Warn Hubs were our friend..lol Yup...miss those days...

 

[declan09]

Update:

I purchased a dodge parts leveling kit from a dodge dealer in Duluth, MN. I paid them to install it. The dealership here in Iowa has an engineer that says they were installed correctly but the parts were never designed for my make and model. He told me I needed to call Chrysler to keep going with this since it was originally put on by another dealership.

I called Chrysler. Just want to say from the get go the customer service has been outstanding. The gentleman I spoke with contacted the dealership that has been working on the problem. They explained that the parts installed for the leveling kit were not designed for this truck. The added height is causing a tube to smack against the axle when it is in 4x drive which in turn causes the vibration. The rep from chrysler is now contacting the dealer that installed the parts to find out why they DID NOT verify that these parts would work on my truck before selling them to me and installing them. Suffice it to say that Chrysler has told me this is not my problem and they will get it figured out.

My last question to him was, I bought these parts in good faith from a reputable dealer and now they have to be removed, what are we going to do about the money I spent?

I'll keep you posted.

P.S. Whats up Seltzer? Hope your keeping Ptown under your thumb while I'm out here working on the road.

 

[Colorado700R]

I bet it's your front output on the transfer case. Especially since you haven't engaged 4x4 in a year, there was possibly a lack of lubrication when you engaged it. I've been told you should periodically engage 4x4 to keep all those components lubed between uses.

 

[SFVDOC]

Interesting. At least Chrysler is stepping up to the plate and trying to make good on your problem. Good luck.

 

[mugapug]

My truck did something like that this year but not as extrem as yours.

 

[declan09]

All said and done. Dealer in Iowa removed the spacers for the leveling kit, this fixed the problem. I called the manager at the Duluth dealership, he says he has put many of these kits on and never had a problem. Regardless, he is sending me a check for a refund of the kit and the install. All is well that ends well, right? Problem is now I need to figure out how to get that lifted/leveled look back on my truck without having this problem in the future.

 

[huntergreen]

have you tried the 4wd to see if the problem was fixed?

 

[jacksonsnorth]

Here is 1 solution to wanting leveling on your front end and not limiting up and down travel.. Read this article about spacers vs Bilstein 5100s it makes perfect sense to me. I plan to use these and will post results once they are installed, along with photos.
http://www.bilsteinus.com/fileadmin/user_upload/user_upload_us/pdfs/Bil_LevShks_WebArticle.pdf