Stop and go shudder/vibration

[BowDown]

They have already replaced my driveshaft due to "rust" making it bind up. This fixed it for about 9k miles but it is back and getting worse. This makes it seem that it is something with the driveshaft. Sone owners on here are reporting that greasing the crap out of the driveshaft fixes it, at least for awhile. FCA should really work on a fix for this.

From the description to this, I highly doubt it a slip joint in the drive shaft or that greasing a cap will fix it, that's just not the way the drive shaft works.

Secondly the time that it's described as occurring, from a stop, the slip joint would not be the problem and only come into play if you were going over say a large bump or crown in the road of the intersection that causes the suspension to compress and rebound.
That's the only time a yoke and a slip joint are going to really come into play in a drive shaft, not from a standing start.
The only thing that's going to impact this from a standing start is going to be bad U-joints or backlash in the differential or the transmission actually slipping

 

[PowerJrod]

They have already replaced my driveshaft due to "rust" making it bind up. This fixed it for about 9k miles but it is back and getting worse. This makes it seem that it is something with the driveshaft. Sone owners on here are reporting that greasing the crap out of the driveshaft fixes it, at least for awhile. FCA should really work on a fix for this.

Ya know...there was a thread on here not too long ago where people stated how the not so greased driveshaft was causing hard downshifting...making me wonder if that shudder you were feeling had something to do with the transmission....weird $hit lol

 

[Chanyote66]

I have the same thing on mine, and you can actually feel it more at 1-5 mph in a turn. I have the 3.92 differential and the 6'4" bed. It almost feels like wheel rub in a tight turn (for those that have used oversized tires) but it continues in a straight line as well. I was suspecting the hill hold but have not turned it off yet. Differential lash would make sense and probably why the 3.92 feels it more than the 3.21 "we gotz more torquez bac thar" as my coworker stated.

 

[Mopar_maxi]

I’m starting to think it’s backlash in the rear differential. The slip yoke wouldn’t or shouldn’t move unless the suspension has been manipulated. Which on flat ground, going from a dead stop, the suspension isn’t coming into play so therefore the driveshaft shouldn’t have to extend or contract at the slip yoke.

 

[Cheddy]

Has anyone tried checking and changing the rear differential fluid? Could it already be compromised after several thousand miles and that is why we don’t notice it for the first little bit. Seems like if it was backlash in the driveline then it would have been present from the dealership at the beginning.

 

[RAMinNH]

Has anyone tried checking and changing the rear differential fluid? Could it already be compromised after several thousand miles and that is why we don’t notice it for the first little bit. Seems like if it was backlash in the driveline then it would have been present from the dealership at the beginning.

This exactly what mine turned out to be. Had the same symptoms as everyone has described. Took it in last week and they replaced the rear diff case and side bearings and drained the fluid and re-added (don't forget the proper additive). No more shudder! They stated it was a limited slip issue.

 

[Cheddy]

This exactly what mine turned out to be. Had the same symptoms as everyone has described. Took it in last week and they replaced the rear diff case and side bearings and drained the fluid and re-added (don't forget the proper additive). No more shudder! They stated it was a limited slip issue.

Glad you were able to get it fixed. It sounds like they did more than just replace your fluid,....did they also replace the case and did bearings? Do you have the Locking rear diff.? Trying to figure out how to get my dealer to do the same fix. Thanks for any additional input you can give.

 

[RAMinNH]

Glad you were able to get it fixed. It sounds like they did more than just replace your fluid,....did they also replace the case and did bearings? Do you have the Locking rear diff.? Trying to figure out how to get my dealer to do the same fix. Thanks for any additional input you can give.

They did replace the case and bearings but I'm not sure if that was the resolution. They did that first and told me everything was fixed. Not so much. Had to take it right back in the next day. That's when they did the fluid drain and made sure the right additive was put in (I guess they missed it the first time around) and voila...all fixed.

I have the limited slip diff, not locking.

Good luck with yours!

 

[BowDown]

They did replace the case and bearings but I'm not sure if that was the resolution. They did that first and told me everything was fixed. Not so much. Had to take it right back in the next day. That's when they did the fluid drain and made sure the right additive was put in (I guess they missed it the first time around) and voila...all fixed.

I have the limited slip diff, not locking.

Good luck with yours!

My suspicion is that it was the additive all along. My 2003 with the LSD would do the same thing when the gear oil was worn out. You'd accelerate away from a stop sign and it was like something in the bed rolled backwards as you drove forward hitting the tailgate and making the truck shudder a bit. Changed the gear oil and used Mobil 1 full synthetic (no additive as M1 already has it) and the problem was gone. It would reappear about every 30-40K miles and I'd change the fluid and no issues for another 30-40K miles

 

[Cheddy]

Thanks guys this is good to hear. I think I will attempt changing the fluid myself. Now to figure out the correct additives for the locking rear diff.

 

[wallyuwl]

Is anyone having this issue WITHOUT either the locking or limited slip diff?

 

[gscarazz]

Is anyone having this issue WITHOUT either the locking or limited slip diff?

Yes I have the issue too, no limited slip or locking. Have you had yours solved?

 

[jlemley]

My dealer finally admitted that they detected a problem after doing multiple ride-alongs with a tech. They greased the driveshaft and did the fluid change in the rear-diff at the request of STAR, but it didn't help - it's not any better than before. They advised that STAR is aware of this being an issue, and they are working back with them on additional suggestions. Maybe mine is a little different from what everyone else is experiencing? Or maybe they forgot the magical additive? hmm

As an aside, I also started to hear a clunk in the front-end intermittently on acceleration, especially if I'm not completely stopped. Sounds like mounts are starting to loosen up, maybe?

2019 Laramie 4x2 w/ 5'7" and no eTorque

 

[BowDown]

My dealer finally admitted that they detected a problem after doing multiple ride-alongs with a tech. They greased the driveshaft and did the fluid change in the rear-diff at the request of STAR, but it didn't help - it's not any better than before. They advised that STAR is aware of this being an issue, and they are working back with them on additional suggestions. Maybe mine is a little different from what everyone else is experiencing? Or maybe they forgot the magical additive? hmm

As an aside, I also started to hear a clunk in the front-end intermittently on acceleration, especially if I'm not completely stopped. Sounds like mounts are starting to loosen up, maybe?

2019 Laramie 4x2 w/ 5'7" and no eTorque

I'm not surprised this did nothing as despite what many here say, it makes no sense. The only time that would come into play is during suspension travel. IMO, this is backlash in the gear set or in the diff clutches which a fluid change should correct

 

[jlemley]

I'm not surprised this did nothing as despite what many here say, it makes no sense. The only time that would come into play is during suspension travel. IMO, this is backlash in the gear set or in the diff clutches which a fluid change should correct

They are going to replace the driveshaft, which is on backorder. We'll see if that helps.

 

[RamCares]

My dealer finally admitted that they detected a problem after doing multiple ride-alongs with a tech. They greased the driveshaft and did the fluid change in the rear-diff at the request of STAR, but it didn't help - it's not any better than before. They advised that STAR is aware of this being an issue, and they are working back with them on additional suggestions. Maybe mine is a little different from what everyone else is experiencing? Or maybe they forgot the magical additive? hmm

As an aside, I also started to hear a clunk in the front-end intermittently on acceleration, especially if I'm not completely stopped. Sounds like mounts are starting to loosen up, maybe?

2019 Laramie 4x2 w/ 5'7" and no eTorque

Hello @jlemley, we are sorry to hear about the trouble this has caused you. Please do not hesitate to send our team a private message for support while you are working with your dealer. We would be happy to connect you to a specialist if needed.

Kathryn
RamCares

 

[Franksss27]

Alex
Hoping you can point me in the right direction. Just bought the new 5th GEN 2020 ram 1500 Big Horn 5.7 hemi with etorque. I noticed when accelerating from a stop I feel a Shutterfly vibration. At first I thought it possibly had to do with me towing my trailer but noticed it happens whether I am hitched up or not. I went onto Google and ask the question and it put me onto this forum. I have now also registered with this forum.
possible you can point me in the right direction and if anybody has had this problem with the new 2020 ram could let me know what the outcome was would be appreciated.

Please let me know what you find my truck does the same thing

 

[PowerJrod]

I have this same issue... is it like a jolt when you accelerate from a stop? like someone rear ended you slightly?
please let me know guys! I'm starting to think that I am crazy


thank you!!

Sounds like the transmission didn't downshift to first when it stopped, but shifted to first when you started driving....what happens to the RPMs when this happens??

 

[jlemley]

They are going to replace the driveshaft, which is on backorder. We'll see if that helps.

Replacement driveshaft helped for now, but I've only driven it home from the dealer. The good news is that the truck now drives very smoothly and feels great pulling out again. This is definitely not related to transmission shifting, it's more likely driveshaft deflection or something like that.

Hopefully others are able to also get theirs resolved. I'll be sure to come back if it starts "bumping" again.

--J

 

[aabel16]

I know this is a older thread, but has anyone had any luck with a long term fix? I have a 2019 that'll be coming up on lease soon. Already had it in once and they couldn't "reproduce", so I'm bringing to a different dealer. If they can't fix it, I'll be returning the lease instead of buying it out. Love the Ram, but I'm not going to buy something that surges during deceleration.