I've got a 97 3500 dually 4 x 4 that is soon going to get parted out if I can't solve this issue. Since I bought the truck I have had an issue with vibrations at 80 plus kmh (50mph). Problem is it's intermittent. I can drive one day and no issues, the next it starts as soon as I exceed 80kph. I tend to drive under 80 with short Hiway trips of less than 20 mins at a time. So most of the time I forget about it. The vibration is hard to determine the location. Doesn't seem to be front tires. Cant say it is the rear end of the vehicle either. Based on passenger feedback it seems to be more drivers side.
In the last 12 months I have replaced both front hubs, and the bearing for the driveshaft inboard of the CAD. Both output seals for the TC have been replaced. With the front DS removed the pinion will spin while driving. The TC front flange will spin while driving with the DS removed.
Previous problems have included replacement of CAD fork and replacement of CAD motor with a posi-lock. Axle u-joints appear to be ok.
I am suspecting there is an issue with either the TC, front axle carrier /pinion, or rear axle and possibly the transmission (5 speed manual). I don't know what to take apart or start replacing first. Up to now it seems like I am replacing one part at a time only to say nope not that one.
Basically I drive and all seems fine and then i get a vibration as if a tire was badly out of balance but not from the front end as I don't get the steering wheel feeling. As soon as I reduce speed under 80kph the issue disappears. I have tried driving in 4th and 5th to see if the issue is trans related but that us not definitive either. I can drive for an hour and then it just fades away or then gets real bad. Sometimes in the winter it was worse or non existent. I can stop for fuel and all of a sudden it is gone again. I am at a total loss to decipher this one.
At this point I don't drive out of the city and wont drive more than 30 miles if I have to use the highway. I was about to buy a used truck yesterday until i did some research and found out my new old truck may be just as problematic as the current one. I need a reliable truck. This one is not. Short of spending as much as it cost to buy I don't know what to fix or where to start.
Steve
In the last 12 months I have replaced both front hubs, and the bearing for the driveshaft inboard of the CAD. Both output seals for the TC have been replaced. With the front DS removed the pinion will spin while driving. The TC front flange will spin while driving with the DS removed.
Previous problems have included replacement of CAD fork and replacement of CAD motor with a posi-lock. Axle u-joints appear to be ok.
I am suspecting there is an issue with either the TC, front axle carrier /pinion, or rear axle and possibly the transmission (5 speed manual). I don't know what to take apart or start replacing first. Up to now it seems like I am replacing one part at a time only to say nope not that one.
Basically I drive and all seems fine and then i get a vibration as if a tire was badly out of balance but not from the front end as I don't get the steering wheel feeling. As soon as I reduce speed under 80kph the issue disappears. I have tried driving in 4th and 5th to see if the issue is trans related but that us not definitive either. I can drive for an hour and then it just fades away or then gets real bad. Sometimes in the winter it was worse or non existent. I can stop for fuel and all of a sudden it is gone again. I am at a total loss to decipher this one.
At this point I don't drive out of the city and wont drive more than 30 miles if I have to use the highway. I was about to buy a used truck yesterday until i did some research and found out my new old truck may be just as problematic as the current one. I need a reliable truck. This one is not. Short of spending as much as it cost to buy I don't know what to fix or where to start.
Steve