Rear end vibration

Asked by packfan3110 Feb 26, 2019 at 08:58 PM about the 2010 Dodge RAM 1500 SLT RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I have a 2013 Ram 1500.  It developed a vibration in the rear end that
causes my seats and center console to shake.  Replaced the tires, rims, rear
shocks and the drive shaft with no cure.  I noticed this is an issue with Rams.  
Can anyone help?  A couple of things I read was to check the drive shaft
trans yoke, and I saw on here about checking the center drive shaft bearing.  
Do you agree? and do you have any other suggestions.  The dealership
gave up!  It's a 2013 Reg Cab 2 wheel drive Tradesman, not a 2010.

19 Answers

290

This problem could be several things. Number one on the list it could be the driveshaft. It could be loose which is causing a violent shake under the truck. To test this get on a strait road and go about 35 then mash the gas till you hit 60. If it shakes worse in that span till you hit 60 then it is definitely the drive shaft. Another problem could be in the hog head. A tooth on a gear could be stripped of ridged and make all sorts of violent matters. To test this go on an open stretch of road and do the same like before. Accelerate and once you level off at 60 if it shakes rapidly without interruption then that could be the source.

29 people found this helpful.

Hey Packfan3110, Did you get your vibration corrected? I have the same problem and have not been able to resolve it. Looking for help! Thanks

60

I don't have a answer. Rather, I have a question. I've just replaced my rear differential ( complete ) less than 50 Miles ago. I'm getting a bad vibration, at 45-50 miles per hour. AutoZone, told me that a little vibration is normal, until break in. I'm getting a bad vibration. Any suggestions??

6 people found this helpful.
120

I just bought a 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 Outdoorsman and I'm getting the same vibration. After reading many post on different sites about the vibration issue, has anyone thought about changing out the rear springs or redoing bushings in control arms? Seems like this is the only thing people have't changed or checked.

12 people found this helpful.
60

Call The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and file a complaint. I did because the vibration with mine got worse. The more complaints they get the better chances of a recall for the problem. My 2012 has 90k on it. It's been to the dealer 3 times.

6 people found this helpful.
60

My truck has the same problem!! I've replaced, rims,tires,shocks so far, Its had this issue for the last 20k miles.

6 people found this helpful.
150

2017 ram 1500 8 speed 4×4 same problem 4th set of tires second set of rims.. ive noticed the heavier the tire the more the shake...

15 people found this helpful.
140

My 2016 had a bad rear axle bearing at about 35,000 miles. Ram replaced the whole axle since it’s bearing housing spun in place. A new vibration occurred around 60,000 miles. I got new tires and it didn’t change. New shocks and it didn’t change. I even replaced the rotors and pads and it didn’t change. It feels like warped rotors

8 people found this helpful.
90

2017 Ram 1500 4x4. Balancing done twice tires changed. Changed callipers and rotors. Still have vibration. Would really like a solution

9 people found this helpful.
270

I have an answer for you via my ordeal with RAM and NCDS (NCDSUSA.org) - you're stuck with a truck that intermittently vibrates. This vibration will occur at varying speeds, varying temperatures, varying road surfaces and with varying intensity. OEM wheels, non-OEM wheels, highway tires, A/T tires, with or without a front leveling kit, with or without a bed load, with or without a trailer in tow, and with or without RAM/FCA acknowledgment. Insofar as NCDS's ability to serve as a neutral dispute administrator, I'm stating from my own experience. . .they are definitely in bed with FCA, period. My NCDS representative played the part: Asked detailed and often difficult questions (for the RAM representative), reviewed my 11+ service visits (equating to 60+ days of my 2015 1500 being in RAM's service department(s)), highlighted the discrepancies on multiple service tickets, and took note when the RAM representative had no answer to some of those 'difficult' questions. However, a short time after the meeting, I received a letter in the mail stating the evidence provided failed to rule out the vibration wasn't being caused my my non-OEM wheels (despite a 30+ day service visit in which the then-current service manager experienced the vibration with my OEM wheels/tires on the truck). I loved my RAM and would've been a lifetime customer had they handled the issue with a grain of respect and responsibility. RAM 'cares' is their tagline. . .but it ends as soon as you walkout of the dealership after the initial purchase.

27 people found this helpful.
10

I have a 2012 4x4 big horn edition with the same vibration shop after shop say they can't find anything new tires new rims shocks brakes calipers u joints I give up.. last thing I am going to try is have a down force balance done on the tires .

1 people found this helpful.
140

FCA refuses to cover me further or even admit there is a problem. So when The ecodiesel lawsuit is done, I’ll take my check from FCA and go back to F150

6 people found this helpful.
170

Drive shaft U-Joint knuckle. Took the dealer 2 weeks to diagnose. The rear drive shaft has an outstanding TSB from FCA, the front does not. The U-Joint develops a "notch" and that causes a drive line vibration. Had this on my 2016 RAM Laramie, drive shaft fixed it...$1400 later.

17 people found this helpful.
40

I have a similar vibration in my 96 1500 Ram. It appears only at highway speeds. I have had a road force wheel balance done which proved tires and wheels are not the issue. Ran the truck on a hoist with the wheels removed and drums secured and the vibration was very visible, the whole diff assembly was jumping up and down on the leaf springs. So it’s drive shaft (unlikely on a single shaft) or something in the diff.

4 people found this helpful.
60

Had this vibration at highway speed, typically cruising 65-75, rpm 1600 to 1800. Tried a lot of the stuff mentioned here. Incidentally I had, like all dodge ram owners get sooner or later, a check engine for cylinder misfire. It would come and go so I was not in a rush to have it looked at. Finally took it in and injector 2 was bad so I had it replaced. Wa-la! no more vibration, my theory is it was causing an imbalance in the engine when MDS was activated (which typically happens at highway cruising speeds).

6 people found this helpful.
30

My question, I have that vibration, but only when pulling out, or under load at low rpms

3 people found this helpful.
280

I had the same issues and finally fixed mine. I had vibrations that you can feel on the seat of your pants. I start to feel it after 40+mph. After 55 mph it gets worse. I thought the issue was with my tires. I was due for a new set anyways but that didn't cure the issue. I balanced my tires 3 times using 2 different tire machines and had them road forced balanced. I needed new brakes pads so I changed all the rotors, pads and 2 bad calipers. I still had the wobble. I took the rear drive shaft and the u joints appeared to be fine. I spun the front drive shaft and didn't feel anything. After many months of dealing with the vibrations I finally took off the front drive shaft. I was amazed how bad the joint was. It was a little tight but had worn flat spots where the yolk would snap in position.. I couldn't feel it while the shaft was in place. Well the OEM shaft doesn't have serviceable u-joints so you have to buy a new front drive shaft. Good thing the new non OEM drive shafts comes with replaceable u-joints. So I'm still waiting drive shaft but I'm driving around with out it. And sure enough I still feel a vibration but not as intense. I took off the rear drive shaft and they feel OK but I'm still going to change them since they have 70,000 miles. After a few too many hours of swearing replacing them, I reinstalled the drive shaft and the wobble was gone. I'm not a religious man but I thanked him anyways. So if you have this issue after doing all the same stuff that I did... just change all 3 u-joints regardless how they feel. Check out www.BuyAutoParts.com for the drive shaft. Great price of $217. That is for the 8 speed transmission. There is a different shaft for the 6 speed transmission and much much cheaper. My Truck is a 2013 RAM 1500 Crew Cab Sport 4x4 with 8 speed transmission. Take care and be vibration free. Lloyd

28 people found this helpful.
30

I have a 2006 ram 1500, 5.7 hemi. 191K. About a month ago my truck developed a moan- muffler sound at around 55-65 MPH. Nothing before and after, and only when accelerating no matter how slight. I let off the gas and nothing but smooth sailing. The weekend I completely rebuilt the rear-end all bearings seals, gaskets. fluids. The vibration is worse at lower speeds and maybe a little worse at 55 to 65mph. Again nothing at coasting. I triple checked the pinion set up (the pinion was loose at tear down) (nothing near the 25 in-lbs that are specified). The back-lash also was looser than standard 0.006 to 0.008 inches. I did not think mine was tires because of the accelerating and coasting tests that the noise went away. I did not check the drive shaft. The driveline does feel tighter now. I guess that I will go to a friends shop and put the truck on the lift and run the truck and watch for anything that is vibrating.

3 people found this helpful.

Did you ever find out what the problem was? Mine is doing the same with the vibration only when pressing the gas, even the slightest and goes away when coasting

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