Dodge Cummins question?

[GoldTip]

2005, 3/4t, 4x4 quad cab with the 5.9 turbo diesel, 85,000miles.  Truck is bone stock, other than 5" exhaust.  Two different times now when in coast mode while rolling between two stop signs, the truck just shudders, the entire truck.  Best description I can think of is it feels like driving over a set of rumble strips.  Then it's just gone?  Happens for about 5 seconds maybe.  I have no loss of power, no loss of mileage.  Starts fine, idles fine.  Just a sudden shudder, like you hit a patch of rumble strips.  Drove around 700 miles between last Wednesday and Monday, and like I said it happened twice, 48 hours apart.  Any idea's or suggestions what to look at first?

[Woodchuck]

I would start with looking at front suspension components. Ball joints, track rod etc. 

[Doc Sauce]

I have an F350 and my truck would do this sometimes too.  It only happened when I was lightly covering the brakes and turning to the left, like coasting through a residential left turn.  My brake rotors were badly warped and the slight brake pressure was enough to induce a death wobble in some of the front end components.  Changed the rotors, tightened the front end, problem solved.  I did not notice it at all with Heavy braking because the weight of the truck would shift forward and load the front suspension.

I agree... start with the suspension...

[jackelope]

I would start with looking at front suspension components. Ball joints, track rod etc. 

Death wobble.

[BsB]

Death wobble.

This is what I'm thinking. I had an old Toyota 4x4 that would shake violently between 23-30mph. Only way to stop once it started was throttle through it or get to 20mph quick. Granted it was a wheeler/beater with 35" tires, not a dodge like yours.

Do you feel it in the steering wheel?

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[Tharius]

Check the front suspension as stated before but also check the motor mounts. Dodge trucks have been known for weaker motor mounts. I recently had a similar type vibration and thought it was the front end but it ended up being a motor mount was bad. If it is the mounts, don't buy stock replacements, buy the aftermarket ones.

[Fl0und3rz]

A dying U-joint can also cause a speed/load sensitive shudder.  Easy to check first.

[jackelope]

http://www.dieselhub.com/tech/dodge-death-wobble.html

[GoldTip]

Thanks guys, it doesn't seem to be quite as violent as what I read at that link of yours Jackelope, but sound like it could certainly be the problem.  Like I said, seems to vibrate the whole truck like your hitting some rumble strips.  Will start with checking the front end, thanks guys!

[barracuda163]

My  07 6.7l had a high speed death wobble. Took leveling kit out and re aligned. no
 prob  since.

[jackelope]

My  07 6.7l had a high speed death wobble. Took leveling kit out and re aligned. no
 prob  since.

The death wobble will happen with or without a leveling kit.
 

[Gamehunter034]

Had this happen on my 99 powerstroke twice the first time ended up being ball joints, the second time it occurred i figured out it was the rear u joint. I now have an 06 cummins and less than a yr into owning it i had basically the entire front end replaced due to vibration at normal highway speeds and rear u joint..thank god I paid for the extended warranty which covered all the repairs.


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[Forks]

Replace your track arm bushings and bolts if needed. good luck.

[6x6in6]

Manual trans?
In gear when it happens?
 

[jrebel]

Had this happen on my 99 powerstroke twice the first time ended up being ball joints, the second time it occurred i figured out it was the rear u joint. I now have an 06 cummins and less than a yr into owning it i had basically the entire front end replaced due to vibration at normal highway speeds and rear u joint..thank god I paid for the extended warranty which covered all the repairs.


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06 Cummins....best motor / truck in that era, especially if you have the manual transmission!!

[6x6in6]

Low speed shudder.  Drive shaft issue.  One or more of the 3 rear u-joints is toast.  Or your carrier bearing rubber isolator is torn and time to replace the carrier.  Grab the drive shaft at the carrier.  If you can move it more than about an 1/8" in any direction, your carrier is toast.
Carrier #3 for me in a 125k on my '05.  Carrier #2 on my '07 in 72k. 

[get one leakin]

death wobble, have 3 dodges and happened with each of them.  Replace the steering stabilizer and make sure that it didn't kick off the balancing weights on on side, had that happen too.

[Gamehunter034]

Had this happen on my 99 powerstroke twice the first time ended up being ball joints, the second time it occurred i figured out it was the rear u joint. I now have an 06 cummins and less than a yr into owning it i had basically the entire front end replaced due to vibration at normal highway speeds and rear u joint..thank god I paid for the extended warranty which covered all the repairs.


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06 Cummins....best motor / truck in that era, especially if you have the manual transmission!!

Yup got the manual and love it

[huntnnw]

Auto? I have seen a few when they downshift off the pedal they shutter into gear

[6x6in6]

Auto? I have seen a few when they downshift off the pedal they shutter into gear

Yep, torque converter coming out of unlock, valve body and the 48re electronics get in an argument.