Vibration Noise?
 

I have an 05 cummins and recently had the clutch replaced from factory to south bend dual disk. Everything works great but I have noticed a vibration and some noise bit only intermittently. I haven't had a chance to take it to the shop because, like I said, it only happens at times and when it rains, it completely quits. I have had two suggestions as to what it is which was throw out bearing or flywheel. Need suggestions as to what it might be...

Does it feel like a "wobble" when you depress the pedal?

No vibration during that time just when at a set highway speed. No vibration during acceleration either. Once the noise begins it continues for a bit. I just got home from driving it to see if it would do it again and of course it didn't so I can't take it to the shop. No vibration today I guess but it will be back when I can't get it to the shop.

High speed vibration? Ever have the rear drive shaft u-joints replaced?? The AAM joints tend to seize more than become floppy loose...they start squeaking, then start vibrating as they get worse. Mine were so tight they wouldn't flex by hand when I removed the shaft...

The only thing that puzzles me is that I would have expected someone to notice a stiff joint when you had the clutch replaced as they got to pull both drive shafts.

I have a vibration that starts around 50 mph, from your post above ^^ ^ I'm guessing it's the u-joints. What does AAM mean, and is there any reason a regular DIY guy can't replace these joints? Thanks, sorry for the tangent on the thread.

AAM is American Axle Manufacturing...people who made the differentials...

AAM American Axle Manufactering, I have not replaced drive shaft u-joints on my truck yet but don't see y not, a par of pliers and a hammer should do just fine

I got under my truck this weekend I found the rear-most u-joint was toast. Time to replace that, I'm hoping that will get rid of the vibration. OP, have you gone underneath and checked out your u-joints?

id also recomend to give the carrier bearing a glance and see the condition of that, mine is shot and vibrates like a some bitch wen ever it wants then smooth at other times,

check your tires too :humm:.. a vibration can also mean a seperating tire.......:) specially the 20' wheels which suck ass for our highway up here.. I swore it was a wheelbearing on the passenger side, and i get it checked out. sure enough wires sticking out of my drivers side front tire..so u never know......:)

Just FYI, I replaced the rear u-joint and it completely solved my vibration issue.

:jump:

Well that was easy :tu:

Thanks guys for the heads up. I am starting to think U-Joints as well but I would think the vibration to be more constant if it were them. The vibration is getting more common now and had the guy that put in the clutch drive it which he said it could possibly be the tranny. I don't think he is right because, I can disengage the clutch, have the truck out of gear, and coast down the highway and still hear and feel the vibration. I'm still troubleshooting though cause I cant figure out where the noise is coming from so any other feedback would be very grateful....

Seizing joints are intermittent...until they completely seize.

Thanks Steve, I just called and found out that 15.99 for a U-Joint isn't bad. So, I think I might just replace them and see if that works. It sure beats the tranny work that the garage that put the clutch in is wanting to do just to find if the noise is coming from the tranny.

Before buying joints, pull the shaft and inspect it...

Sorry so late getting back to the thread. I wanted everyone to know that the rear u-joint was toast. No pivoting whatsoever and when we got the cap off, we found rusty dust. I replaced both u-joints located on the drive shaft (the use of a ball or u-joint press is highly recommended). Problem solved! Hopefully this thread may help out some other cummins driver having the same problems.

Similar problem
 

Before you changed out your rear axle u-joints did your truck make a rhythmic "growling" sound? Mine also has a real small amount of vibration in the stearing wheel and seat and interior componants. So far I have replaced upper and lowe ball joints, both front hubs. Axle u-joints in front. Pulled axles from rear and removed hubs to checks bearings. New brakes/rotors front and back. And the problem persists. I only checked the driveshaft u joints for tightness and lack of play. Did your truck show some similar problems prior to fixing it or any other ideas?

What year of truck...if its an early 3rd gen, it might be the 70mph vibrations.

2004.5
 

Its the 2004.5. Bought it new and this problem just started last week.

When my joints started to fail, they started squeaking then would intermittently vibrate/hum. They didn't "growl"...

How many miles?

Truck now has about 96,200 miles on it.

If you haven't already replaced the joints, I would pull the shafts and make sure the joints are still good. NONE of my joints made it to 75k before failing...including the knuckle and front driveshaft...

I think I will give that a try. I never realized the joints would go bad and still be nice and tight w/o play while installed. Maybe I'll just do a little preventative maint. and just replace them all. The only one that was replaced was the forward joint on the rear shaft. That one failed and was really loose w/ a lot of play about a year ago.

Thanks for the replies. Will advise if it fixes the problem.

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Well, since I was called into work today I dropped the truck off at the Dodge dealer. (We're leaving for Canada on Friday, so I need it fixed.) They called and said that one of the drive shaft balancing weights had fallen off and the drive shaft was not true. They recommended a new drive shaft which comes w/ new U-joints installed. Price including installation - $575.00. I have been trying to find out how much a replacement shaft would cost me if I bought it on my own but haven't found a website that sells the whole assembly. The Dodge Parts page lists about 20 different part numbers that fit my truck though no good descrpitions to make sure I am getting the right one though they run from $225.00 - 599.00. I just don't think it makes sense that that was the problem. If the drive shaft was bent or out of balance I would think the vibration and noise would be constant - not just at high speeds and when under load. Any thoughts? Any ideas if I was getting a good price or getting ripped off?

Bob, the noise I was getting along with the vibration in the cab was similar to a rearend vibration. The best way for me to describe it toya is remember back when you rode the school bus and you heard the loud noise coming from the rearend. That's what I was hearing and feeling. As to what you are saying about checking the joints, they are going to feel tight, very tight. The front U-joint was fine but the rear was so warn, it had seized up and had no movement. That's what you want to look for. I didn't find the bad U-joint until I dropped the drive shaft. Good luck. Hopefully this will fix your truck.