Slight vibration

[Smoot178]

The way the air works, from what I understand, is that the flow over the top creates a circular bubble in the bed... and that hard bubble (think, rolled haystack) then acts as another piece of body for the new air to glide over and on down to the top of the tailgate.

Of course that happens around 50mph and higher. Slower speeds cant generate that kind of air flow.

My figuring and theory is that the haystack of air, was affecting the bed in some way.

Now that the cover's there, that variable of the haystack has been eliminated to a large degree.

When I left this morning, the truck was cold and hadn't been used in several days. The vibration was significantly worse than normal for the first few minutes of travel. It eventually settled down as the tires warmed up. My issue is not going to be related to airflow.

As far as the alignment goes, my main dealership does alignment checks on every single car that rolls in. They have 2 drop off lanes and at the end of both lanes they have a hunter machine to do a check of alignment on the way in. Probably makes them a lot of money, but the alignment on my truck is good.

 

[Longhorn5G]

When I left this morning, the truck was cold and hadn't been used in several days. The vibration was significantly worse than normal for the first few minutes of travel. It eventually settled down as the tires warmed up. My issue is not going to be related to airflow.

As far as the alignment goes, my main dealership does alignment checks on every single car that rolls in. They have 2 drop off lanes and at the end of both lanes they have a hunter machine to do a check of alignment on the way in. Probably makes them a lot of money, but the alignment on my truck is good.

Sounds like tires. Depending on how cold, maybe its possible the tires are out of round until they warm up more. These are heavy beasts sitting on relatively low profile tires, especially the 22s. Cold, heavy truck, mediocre quality tires, and a truck sitting square for a few days...

Just throwing thought. I have low profiles on my BMW that sits for weeks at a time. Not quute as heavy and doesnt sit in any temps below 60, and that car does have a slight shimny for a few miles until the tires work themselves out.

 

[Smoot178]

Sounds like tires. Depending on how cold, maybe its possible the tires are out of round until they warm up more. These are heavy beasts sitting on relatively low profile tires, especially the 22s. Cold, heavy truck, mediocre quality tires, and a truck sitting square for a few days...

Just throwing thought. I have low profiles on my BMW that sits for weeks at a time. Not quute as heavy and doesnt sit in any temps below 60, and that car does have a slight shimny for a few miles until the tires work themselves out.

I could understand if the vibration went away after a few minutes, but it doesn't. It is there all the time, just worse when cold.

The dealership is working things out with Chrysler. The tech I talked to today made me very happy in his methodology. Instead of just trying to balance everything again, he will be trying to see if there are other factors involved.

And while these tires are a bit skinny, they aren't exactly rim huggers. There's still a good amount of sidewall. The question is, will Chrysler play ball and at the very least give me a set of Defenders so I can be on my way after my 5th visit.

 

[Nlg4021]

I have been waiting to see if anyone gets any solid info. I've tried unplugging the mass modules and a few other things. So far for me the raising the tire pressures between 42 to 44 psi have made the largest difference. I've had two different place check my balance. One had a road force machine and the other one didn't. I'd prefer to just buy new tires BUT it would be a waste if it didn't fix it. I have the stock 20's with the alenzas.

 

[zman9119]

Got mine back today. They put 150+ miles on it, 2 new scratches in the door ("they were there before you dropped it off" which is BS since I hand washed it the day before it went in and my GF knows how anal I am about it) and all I got was an official answer of:

"Tech test drove and compared to similar vehicle off the lot and found no problem at this time".


13 days at the dealership and nothing. I am done with this dealer.

 

[Longhorn5G]

Seems like someone took it home and back to work for 2 weeks.

 

[zman9119]

General Manager admitted he, "took it for the weekend and did at least 100 miles or so".

This is after the fact they said on Saturday at 11am that there was no way they would be able to finish up the repairs until today, which they were promptly told that I would be there first thing this morning to remove it from their lot.

 

[jimk hunt]

After your car or truck sits for a few days, it is expected to have a slight vibration till the tires warm up. You cannot put that much weight on a round flexible object with steel belts and not expect temporary flat spots. I would suggest trying an on car balance. It's not cheap and not every store has the equipment, but it may help. Vibrations like these are very hard to track down and often it's not as simple as the tires.

 

[Longhorn5G]

I always wonder if the people who upgrade sway bars and links in the rear lose any vibrations they had. I think I tried to do a post asking just that... that if those who installed them sways and links, if they had the vibes before, are they there anymore.

Also asked people who lifted or leveled, be it mopar 2 inch or readylift, whoever, if they had any vibes before akd if they're gone now.

 

[Jasonml24]

The last two weeks the weather here in NE Ohio has been unseasonably warm and my truck has been as smooth as ice. My dealer still hasn’t figured out the issue, but they do acknowledge it exists In my truck and 2 other trucks they’ve sold. A good friend of mine is a mechanic and while he hasn’t been able to ride in my truck to feel it himself, he feels it could possibly be something suspension related, either bushings or bad components related to the suspension. My first thought was bad tires and so did the dealer. They roadforce balanced the tires twice and no change. I’ve read in earlier posts of guys switching tires and still having the issue. I’m truly at the point where I do feel there is a bad part somewhere on the truck and they just can’t figure out what. Hopefully someone stumbles across the fix.

 

[Jasonml24]

@Jasonml24 I have not been driving much due to the holiday up did go out earlier today and did not experience any wobble at speed or the vibration between 1500-2000 rpm under light load. Next week I will be back to my normal driving patterns and can really give it a better test but so far so good.

Any change since you last posted. Still holding out hope that maybe you solved it.

 

[Sinister04L]

I have a crew cab Laramie with 22's and 3.21's and I also have a vibration. It's a little different than what I've read in this thread though. It happens when I first drive it in the morning after sitting overnight or when I leave work. It starts coming on at 55mph and peaks at 60-61mph. I can feel it vibrating through the floorboard, pedals, and into the steering wheel and seat. It's not violent but definitely noticeable. It's worse on smoother roads. I have a freshly blacktopped road near my work that's long and straight and when I leave it's very noticeable. My previous truck (2016 F150 King Ranch) rode smooth as glass on this road. The vibration does go away though after about 15 minutes of highway driving. I only have 450 miles on the truck so far. I didn't drive it much until I went back to work on Monday, but all 3 days now I've noticed it on the way to work and the way home. I guess I'll have to take it back to the dealership to have them look at it.

 

[Longhorn5G]

I have a crew cab Laramie with 22's and 3.21's and I also have a vibration. It's a little different than what I've read in this thread though. It happens when I first drive it in the morning after sitting overnight or when I leave work. It starts coming on at 55mph and peaks at 60-61mph. I can feel it vibrating through the floorboard, pedals, and into the steering wheel and seat. It's not violent but definitely noticeable. It's worse on smoother roads. I have a freshly blacktopped road near my work that's long and straight and when I leave it's very noticeable. My previous truck (2016 F150 King Ranch) rode smooth as glass on this road. The vibration does go away though after about 15 minutes of highway driving. I only have 450 miles on the truck so far. I didn't drive it much until I went back to work on Monday, but all 3 days now I've noticed it on the way to work and the way home. I guess I'll have to take it back to the dealership to have them look at it.

Thanks for putting your scenario in here...

Are u air or coil? Also, are you 4x4 as well?

 

[Sinister04L]

Thanks for putting your scenario in here...

Are u air or coil? Also, are you 4x4 as well?

No problem. No air and it's 4x2.

 

[Longhorn5G]

I have a crew cab Laramie with 22's and 3.21's and I also have a vibration. It's a little different than what I've read in this thread though. It happens when I first drive it in the morning after sitting overnight or when I leave work. It starts coming on at 55mph and peaks at 60-61mph. I can feel it vibrating through the floorboard, pedals, and into the steering wheel and seat. It's not violent but definitely noticeable. It's worse on smoother roads. I have a freshly blacktopped road near my work that's long and straight and when I leave it's very noticeable. My previous truck (2016 F150 King Ranch) rode smooth as glass on this road. The vibration does go away though after about 15 minutes of highway driving. I only have 450 miles on the truck so far. I didn't drive it much until I went back to work on Monday, but all 3 days now I've noticed it on the way to work and the way home. I guess I'll have to take it back to the dealership to have them look at it.

I like your scenario, because you have a fresh patch you routinely drive on. My vibration was just that as you described. Noticable, but not violent or scary. Floorboard, pedal, seats. If the left knee was left to chill and full relax and not leaning on anything, maybe shaked left and right a centimeter or to left and right.

Usually shakes in floor and pedals amd seats indicate something in the rear.

Since you have that smooth patch may I suggest two things, perhaps do it separately each and then, combine the two, for 3 different tests? Again, since you have to take that fresh patch regularly.

1. Find something to haul about 3 to 500 pounds, something to simulate a tongue weight or similar. Take your trip and see if anything changes, at the tire psi labeled in the door jamb.

2. Air your tires to 3 to 5 above door jamb psi, pick a psi, all 4 equal of course. Try your ride again.

3. Combine 1 and 2 and try it out.

This, assuming, all tires are properly balanced and no alignment issues.

Its a small twst to see if its more suspension component related.

 

[Jasonml24]

I like your scenario, because you have a fresh patch you routinely drive on. My vibration was just that as you described. Noticable, but not violent or scary. Floorboard, pedal, seats. If the left knee was left to chill and full relax and not leaning on anything, maybe shaked left and right a centimeter or to left and right.

Usually shakes in floor and pedals amd seats indicate something in the rear.

Since you have that smooth patch may I suggest two things, perhaps do it separately each and then, combine the two, for 3 different tests? Again, since you have to take that fresh patch regularly.

1. Find something to haul about 3 to 500 pounds, something to simulate a tongue weight or similar. Take your trip and see if anything changes, at the tire psi labeled in the door jamb.

2. Air your tires to 3 to 5 above door jamb psi, pick a psi, all 4 equal of course. Try your ride again.

3. Combine 1 and 2 and try it out.

This, assuming, all tires are properly balanced and no alignment issues.

Its a small twst to see if its more suspension component related.

From my experience I can definitely tell you it’s more noticeable pulling my utility trailer that weighs about 500 pounds. My vibration is exactly as you describe, floor, pedals, steering wheel and like you said if I have my knee against the door you feel it.

 

[tdeperte]

I recently purchased a Laramie crew cab, no air susp, stock 18 inch Goodyear Wrangler tires and have noticed this vibration. My vibration is minor, slightly felt, but I can see the bed shaking when I get up to speed after the truck has been parked for several hours or more. After a few miles, about 5, the vibration is gone and the bed shaking stops. It appears my vibration is emanating from the rear, the lightest portion of my vehicle in weight.

This is my guess on what is occurring. In my case I think the tires are flat spotting after sitting. As suspension and driveline parts have become lighter in weight the flat spotting creates an out of round/balance situation that is more easily felt. This makes the most sense to me as it only occurs after my truck is parked for awhile, goes away after a short drive, and never occurs after a short stop. I am running 36 psi front, 34 rear, under the recommended 38 psi because I carry no load and want the smoothest ride possible.

I think all the variables in the posts to date are due to different tire sizes, tire manufacturers, suspensions, tire balancing, ambient temperatures, air pressures, tire weights, and individual tire tolerances, even within the same exact tire. This means some will have it worse than others, depending on all these variables. On tires that are out of round or balance this problem may not go away after driving. It would seem to me that larger heavier tires would make this situation worse. The farther out from the axle centerline, the more any imbalance is magnified. The heavier the tire, the more effect any imbalance will have on the lighter weight suspension components.

I haven't played with mine yet but I suspect if I increased the psi closer to the cold max there would be no vibration due to less flat spotting. Of course that is not a solution due the harsh ride that would result.

I don't think we are going to see a solution to this problem in the near future.

 

[Smoot178]

No problem. No air and it's 4x2.

Goodyear Eagles?

 

[Sinister04L]

I recently purchased a Laramie crew cab, no air susp, stock 18 inch Goodyear Wrangler tires and have noticed this vibration. My vibration is minor, slightly felt, but I can see the bed shaking when I get up to speed after the truck has been parked for several hours or more. After a few miles, about 5, the vibration is gone and the bed shaking stops. It appears my vibration is emanating from the rear, the lightest portion of my vehicle in weight.

This is my guess on what is occurring. In my case I think the tires are flat spotting after sitting. As suspension and driveline parts have become lighter in weight the flat spotting creates an out of round/balance situation that is more easily felt. This makes the most sense to me as it only occurs after my truck is parked for awhile, goes away after a short drive, and never occurs after a short stop. I am running 36 psi front, 34 rear, under the recommended 38 psi because I carry no load and want the smoothest ride possible.

I think all the variables in the posts to date are due to different tire sizes, tire manufacturers, suspensions, tire balancing, ambient temperatures, air pressures, tire weights, and individual tire tolerances, even within the same exact tire. This means some will have it worse than others, depending on all these variables. On tires that are out of round or balance this problem may not go away after driving. It would seem to me that larger heavier tires would make this situation worse. The farther out from the axle centerline, the more any imbalance is magnified. The heavier the tire, the more effect any imbalance will have on the lighter weight suspension components.

I haven't played with mine yet but I suspect if I increased the psi closer to the cold max there would be no vibration due to less flat spotting. Of course that is not a solution due the harsh ride that would result.

I don't think we are going to see a solution to this problem in the near future.

Makes sense. I might just need a better quality tire. We'll see.

Goodyear Eagles?

They're Goodyears but I'm unsure of the model.

 

[PTRAM]

I purchased my Ram about 4 weeks ago (see signature for details) and have the "vibration" that this thread describes. I noticed it from about 50 mph up, but maybe slightly at lower speeds. I also noticed it more before the tires warmed up so similar to many posts on here. I had my tires balanced at the dealer and it may have helped some but I need more miles to make that a definite help. My tires are 275/55-R 20 as LRR TIRE. (Code TTH) No idea what the LRR stands for. The brand of the tires are Nexen which I had never heard of before this.. (CodeTZNP) All my previous Rams all had Good Year Wrangler tires from the factory. This must be a tire for the Big Horn model. I thought maybe this vibration was coming from these brand of tires, but apparently not from what I have read on this thread with various brands of tires.