Slight Vibration

[RamCares]

Hasn't been resolved Kathryn. Just got my driveshaft back from the driveline shop and the driveshaft was out of balance...cost me $120.00...what is FCA going to do to reimburse me? Still don't know if this is the fix either.

I am sorry to hear this, Brandon. What we are able to do from this level would be to escalate a case on your behalf to a specialist for an additional layer of support as you work with your dealer. This will provide the dealership and yourself with an individual who will review your concern, then assist you and the dealership in exhausting all available resources to have the concern addressed and resolved. If this is of interest to you, please visit our profile and send us a direct message with your VIN.

Kathryn
RamCares

 

[brandonjscioneaux]

I am sorry to hear this, Brandon. What we are able to do from this level would be to escalate a case on your behalf to a specialist for an additional layer of support as you work with your dealer. This will provide the dealership and yourself with an individual who will review your concern, then assist you and the dealership in exhausting all available resources to have the concern addressed and resolved. If this is of interest to you, please visit our profile and send us a direct message with your VIN.

Kathryn
RamCares

I've already had a "SPECIALIST" involved. I'm being blackballed because I've altered the truck trying to fix a factory issue!

 

[brandonjscioneaux]

Hey, new member here. I just bought a 2019 Limited, 22 inch rims, Goodyears and am experiencing the same vibrations as other people from 57-60 mph. Tried disconnecting active dampening modules under truck as well as turn off MDS but the vibrations didn’t go away. I’ll go through the whole tire replacement and balance with alignment as everyone else and see if it helps. Has anyone had their driveshaft balanced just to see if it makes a difference? It seems like we need to go through a process of elimination to find a solution. Going to the dealer is never the solution unfortunately.

I've just recently had my driveshaft checked and it was out of balance. Shop rebalanced it and I pushed them to change the rear U-joint. It helped slightly but the same damn vibration is there. I have identified the pinion shaft and transmission output shafts are off by 4 degree's. Driveline shop said that will cause my vibration. Now I've got to spend another $400.00 to get adjustable rear upper and lower link bars to correct the pinion angle. I've replaced 95% of the suspension on this truck, rims, tires, etc. I'm now in the rabbit whole approaching $8,000.00...RAM and FCA...WTF?

 

[brandonjscioneaux]

I have a 2016 Ram 1500 Sport CC 4x4, while I know this is not a 5th gen, this vibration issue spans back through the previous models and this is the latest updated thread I could find on the subject.

After researching for quite a while, I haven't found a singe thread that encompasses all the symptoms and attempted resolutions (that I have seen so far), so I wanted to add that here.

Symptoms:
1. Vibration that seems to be coming from the rear of the truck.
2. Vibration is felt in the seats, floor and console, but is not felt in the steering wheel.
3. The vibration comes and goes at highway speeds seeming to be more prevalent in the upper 60s to 75mph.
4. The vibration seems to be worse when turning, like in longer sweeping turns on the interstate or coming on to an exit ramp.

Attempted Resolutions:
1. Multiple tire balancing efforts - (may help, may not) Many argue this depends on the knowledge of the tech performing the balancing.
2. Multiple Road Force balancing efforts - (may help, may not) Many argue this depends on the knowledge of the tech performing the road force balancing.
3. Rotate tires - makes no difference.
4. Replace tires - may help, may not.
5. Replace the shocks - may help, may not.
6. Balance or replace the drive shaft - may help, may not.
7. Replace the coil springs - makes no difference.
8. Replace axle shafts - may help, may not.
9. Verify trans yolk bolts are tight - if they are loose, tightening would help, but this doesn't seem to be the overall issue.
10. Install OEM Rebel wheels with standard Rebel tire size - did not make a difference.

Things I tried before coming to the forums and realizing this has been an ongoing issue.
1. rotated tires to see if the vibration moved from the rear to the front - it did not.
2. replaced all 4 shocks with Bilstein B6 4600 shocks - made no difference.

My conclusions:
1. If it is a tire balancing/road force balancing issue, it doesn't seem like the vibration would change/get worse when turning at highway speeds.
2. If rotating the tires does not change where the vibration is coming from, and is not felt in the steering wheel, this would seem to rule out tires/wheels.
3. If the vibration changes/get worse when turning at highway speeds, this seems like it would point to some sort of driveline issue.
4. The biggest glaring fact to me so far is that the Rebel does NOT have this vibration issue.

Remaining questions:
1. If the Rebel does not have this issue , other than the air suspension, wheel/tire size and softer rear stabilizer bar, what are the differences that might cause this vibration issue for the non-Rebel models? Or is the air suspension and/or the softer rear stabilizer bar the reason it does not have the vibration?
2. Wind buffeting - if this is the cause, I would think the Rebel would have the same issue.

FYI I've got post's under the Slight Vibration thread on this site. I've done all of the same and more with no resolution to the underlying problem. Everything I've done has helped...but not fixed it. I have 2 more things left to try and I'm done. I've found that the pinion output shaft is at 90 degrees and the transmission output shaft is at 86 degrees, that's off by 4 degrees. In my research I've found that those two angles have to match and in speaking directly to a driveline shop owner he's agreed that this will cause a vibration. So going to get a set of adjustable rear upper and lower link bars to correct the pinion angle. If that doesn't fix it, it's in the pinion gear preload or the backlash in the differential. This is ******** that FCA and RAM aren't identifying and isolating the problem, let alone fixing it. Servicing dealership sunk about $5,000.00 in parts into it and have since refused to work on the truck... DeMontrond DCJR in Conroe, TX. Since then I'm approaching $8,000.00 in... Democracy! Complete insanity!!! Corporations need to be held accountable. Lemon law is on the horizon. I've got plenty of documentation for proceeding.

 

[brandonjscioneaux]

Hasn't been resolved Kathryn. Just got my driveshaft back from the driveline shop and the driveshaft was out of balance...cost me $120.00...what is FCA going to do to reimburse me? Still don't know if this is the fix either.

Update...Helped ever so slightly, but didn't fix it. Waiting to replace the rear upper and lower link bars that are adjustable to correct the pinion angle. After that it's in the differential!

 

[Granite2WD]

I've already had a "SPECIALIST" involved. I'm being blackballed because I've altered the truck trying to fix a factory issue!

Are you able to return your truck back to stock for the warranty work or lemon law case? It's a frustrating situation but you can't expect a warranty or lemon law to cover modifications.

I fixed my vibration issue by changing out the wheels and tires (at my expense) to another set of Ram wheels and tires.

Ram Cares helped me out with an unrelated issue. I was pleasantly surprised as my experience with different dealerships had been so unhelpful. It's free to give them a chance.

 

[Scram1500]

Something that is often overlooked is run out from the brake rotors or the hubs

 

[Hydroblueguy]

FYI I've got post's under the Slight Vibration thread on this site. I've done all of the same and more with no resolution to the underlying problem. Everything I've done has helped...but not fixed it. I have 2 more things left to try and I'm done. I've found that the pinion output shaft is at 90 degrees and the transmission output shaft is at 86 degrees, that's off by 4 degrees. In my research I've found that those two angles have to match and in speaking directly to a driveline shop owner he's agreed that this will cause a vibration. So going to get a set of adjustable rear upper and lower link bars to correct the pinion angle. If that doesn't fix it, it's in the pinion gear preload or the backlash in the differential. This is ******** that FCA and RAM aren't identifying and isolating the problem, let alone fixing it. Servicing dealership sunk about $5,000.00 in parts into it and have since refused to work on the truck... DeMontrond DCJR in Conroe, TX. Since then I'm approaching $8,000.00 in... Democracy! Complete insanity!!! Corporations need to be held accountable. Lemon law is on the horizon. I've got plenty of documentation for proceeding.

Don’t wait any longer, I let mine go on for a year with sleepless nights, days without my truck, missed work and extra stress. My replacement 2021 is being built now. I hope it doesn’t have the same issue! I should have squashed my issue after a few months and 3000 miles. Got to the point dealers would tell me no more they can do or there’s nothing wrong, just driver it as all my tires are wearing away and I’m vibrating down the road! Good luck and don’t play their game any longer, enough is enough. Check your state laws, lemon laws and have all your ducks in a row. I know your pain and it sucks!

 

[Hydroblueguy]

Are you able to return your truck back to stock for the warranty work or lemon law case? It's a frustrating situation but you can't expect a warranty or lemon law to cover modifications.

I fixed my vibration issue by changing out the wheels and tires (at my expense) to another set of Ram wheels and tires.

Ram Cares helped me out with an unrelated issue. I was pleasantly surprised as my experience with different dealerships had been so unhelpful. It's free to give them a chance.

I’m sure it has nothing to do with the modifications, but he will have to prove that! Also why should the owner have to pay to put new rims and tires on a new truck, they tried that with me, he’ll no, this truck came from the factory with this issue! You either fix it or give me my money back!

 

[ThinBlue-Ram22]

So, just to catch up here. I sold my 2019 Laramie that had Bridgestone Duelers on 20" rims. Road forced balancing was the only thing that help improve the vibration, but it never was fully resolved. One of the several reasons I decided to sell it. I'm thinking about a new 2021 Limited that has the Goodyears on 22" rims. Anyone been able to confirm vibration issues on 2021 models yet? Also, what about the Limited 22's running Goodyear tires. I'm already worried that the 22's are going to ride rougher to begin with, but if I'm going to have to be concerned that the vibriation issues still exists on the 2021 models and/or those tires and rims, then I may end up not buying a new truck and look elseswhere

 

[ThinBlue-Ram22]

I have a 2020 Limited on Goodyear 22’s. It vibrates so bad the tires are scalloped already after rotation and rebalanced balanced. What ever the cause is has ruined the set I have now with only 8k miles. I’m calling Ram again tomorrow.

 

[Gitter]

I feel I should chime in and give my experiences from the 1.3k miles I have on my new Limited.

When I test-drove this Ram, I noticed the vibrations between about 56 to 65 mph immediately. It is only a slight vibration/nothing serious and so far my wife and kids have not commented on it, but was enough for me to notice even when I wasn't looking for it. Unfortunately for me, I travel in that speed range every day when I go to work...so I wasn't happy. The only time it wouldn't vibrate was when I was under load while towing my travel trailer. The dealer said they'd take care of re-balancing the tires for me, but I didn't want to hassle with it (yet) since I knew I was getting new tires.

About 2 weeks ago, I had the new larger & e-rated tires installed by a local auto shop (not the dealer). I am happy to report that the vibrations are now completely gone! Well, at least 80mph and below. I have yet to get it above 80 mph...but that won't be happening until I travel to another state with a higher speed limit.

I know some in this thread seem to have worse vibration issues what I was experiencing...but if you are able, changing tires might be a solution for some.

This made me especially happy since we had similar issues with the 3rd Gen Tacoma's. The vibrations happened at slower speeds (in the 40's), but wheel/tire balancing and/or changes did nothing. It wasn't until 2 different people changed out their entire drive shaft that we started to see positive results. I think it eventually became a TSB, but I was already looking to sell it and didn't want to go through the hassle with the dealer.

 

[Hydroblueguy]

I have a 2020 Limited on Goodyear 22’s. It vibrates so bad the tires are scalloped already after rotation and rebalanced balanced. What ever the cause is has ruined the set I have now with only 8k miles. I’m calling Ram again tomorrow.

Sounds very familiar, good luck! The outer edges of mine were chewed up in the first 3500 miles. After being rebalance 3 times and rotated once. I was told that was normal wear and because of my driving habits. I drove that truck like a old man until recently. The 4 year old truck I traded with 32,000 had more tread left on the outside then this ram did at 5000 mile. This is not normal wear, it’s BS!

 

[Hydroblueguy]

I feel I should chime in and give my experiences from the 1.3k miles I have on my new Limited.

When I test-drove this Ram, I noticed the vibrations between about 56 to 65 mph immediately. It is only a slight vibration/nothing serious and so far my wife and kids have not commented on it, but was enough for me to notice even when I wasn't looking for it. Unfortunately for me, I travel in that speed range every day when I go to work...so I wasn't happy. The only time it wouldn't vibrate was when I was under load while towing my travel trailer. The dealer said they'd take care of re-balancing the tires for me, but I didn't want to hassle with it (yet) since I knew I was getting new tires.

About 2 weeks ago, I had the new larger & e-rated tires installed by a local auto shop (not the dealer). I am happy to report that the vibrations are now completely gone! Well, at least 80mph and below. I have yet to get it above 80 mph...but that won't be happening until I travel to another state with a higher speed limit.

I know some in this thread seem to have worse vibration issues what I was experiencing...but if you are able, changing tires might be a solution for some.

This made me especially happy since we had similar issues with the 3rd Gen Tacoma's. The vibrations happened at slower speeds (in the 40's), but wheel/tire balancing and/or changes did nothing. It wasn't until 2 different people changed out their entire drive shaft that we started to see positive results. I think it eventually became a TSB, but I was already looking to sell it and didn't want to go through the hassle with the dealer.

I’m happy you issue is resolved! However owners of these trucks, mine stickers at 62,440, should not have to replace the tires on a new truck to make it operate properly! That’s crap!

 

[Gitter]

I’m happy you issue is resolved! However owners of these trucks, mine stickers at 62,440, should not have to replace the tires on a new truck to make it operate properly! That’s crap!

100% agree!! I almost walked from the dealership because of it. Only reason I didn't was because I was pressed for time and it was the only truck within 500 miles that had basically everything I was looking for in options (only missing the 33 gal tank) without the added extras. I took that gamble and glad it worked out

 

[Dusty1948]

The art of diagnosing tire and wheel problems apparently has been lost. Then again tire and wheel quality isn't what it should be, either. Unfortunately in the last couple of years I've been witness to a number of these issues with acquaintances, friends, and family. In each case tires were exchanged with little positive result. In those cases it was a fault of a wheel, but not always. Sometimes a tire was replaced with another new, but out-of-spec tire.

In the old days when I turned wrenches there was this secret device called a dial indicator that was used to actually measure radial and lateral runout of the wheel, and also used to measure tire wobble. Today, I guess, the Road Force machine is suppose to replace hand measurements, but I keep hearing instances where that didn't resolve the issue. This leaves an impatient technician with a dead end, or so he thinks. After all, that new $10,000 Road Force machine is suppose to find or fix everything.

I've never used one, but I've been told the Road Force machine can give a compromise position of balancing weight if the heavy part of the tire is not the high spot of the tire, thus causing an inadequate balance.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 044130 miles.

 

[Hydroblueguy]

The art of diagnosing tire and wheel problems apparently has been lost. Then again tire and wheel quality isn't what it should be, either. Unfortunately in the last couple of years I've been witness to a number of these issues with acquaintances, friends, and family. In each case tires were exchanged with little positive result. In those cases it was a fault of a wheel, but not always. Sometimes a tire was replaced with another new, but out-of-spec tire.

In the old days when I turned wrenches there was this secret device called a dial indicator that was used to actually measure radial and lateral runout of the wheel, and also used to measure tire wobble. Today, I guess, the Road Force machine is suppose to replace hand measurements, but I keep hearing instances where that didn't resolve the issue. This leaves an impatient technician with a dead end, or so he thinks. After all, that new $10,000 Road Force machine is suppose to find or fix everything.

I've never used one, but I've been told the Road Force machine can give a compromise position of balancing weight if the heavy part of the tire is not the high spot of the tire, thus causing an inadequate balance.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 044130 miles.

All good to know, however what I’m the most upset about is that when ram told me I needed to go to a tire shop for tire warranty and they told me at the independent tire shop that all the wheels were warped. The tech even show them to me on the balance machine and they were wobbling like crazy. Then ram refused to do anything about it and tells me that rims and tires are not my issue after they told me all 4 tires were out of round. Anyway what really pisses me off it that the person at the factory balancing these tires knows that these rims are bad but still installs them on our $60,000+ trucks very poor quality control at the ram factory!

 

[Dusty1948]

All good to know, however what I’m the most upset about is that when ram told me I needed to go to a tire shop for tire warranty and they told me at the independent tire shop that all the wheels were warped. The tech even show them to me on the balance machine and they were wobbling like crazy. Then ram refused to do anything about it and tells me that rims and tires are not my issue after they told me all 4 tires were out of round. Anyway what really pisses me off it that the person at the factory balancing these tires knows that these rims are bad but still installs them on our $60,000+ trucks very poor quality control at the ram factory!

The Ram factory is responsible, but here's the dilemma. Tires and wheels, like most other non-generic parts used across the various Ram trim lines, are not stocked, giving the factory an alternative to use another part out of inventory. This is the downside to just-in-time supply. The line must continue so the person who just tried to balance a defective tire/wheel has to send it forward.

Most companies nowadays have their own quality inspectors at the supplier site and should be monitoring component quality. Bad components should never leave the suppliers factory.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33 gallon fuel tank, factory dual exhaust, 18” wheels. Build date: 03 June 2018. Now at: 044130 miles.

 

[Dennis Baker]

I am sorry to hear this, Brandon. What we are able to do from this level would be to escalate a case on your behalf to a specialist for an additional layer of support as you work with your dealer. This will provide the dealership and yourself with an individual who will review your concern, then assist you and the dealership in exhausting all available resources to have the concern addressed and resolved. If this is of interest to you, please visit our profile and send us a direct message with your VIN.

Kathryn
RamCares

Hello,
How do I send you a private message ? I clicked on " Ram Cares" but, I don't see a way to private message you.
Thanks.

 

[RamCares]

I've already had a "SPECIALIST" involved. I'm being blackballed because I've altered the truck trying to fix a factory issue!

We would be happy to look into this further for you, @brandonjscioneaux. If you have any questions or would like to relay updates to your case, please do not hesitate to send us a PM.

Hello,
How do I send you a private message ? I clicked on " Ram Cares" but, I don't see a way to private message you.
Thanks.

By visiting our profile, you are able to "start a conversation." Please let me know if you are unable to do so, I will gladly initiate the messaging if needed.

Kathryn
RamCares