Vibration feels like tire weight

[Lar_s]

After about 2000 miles on this trip I'm running down the road at about 67 or so, and suddenly there is a vibration that feels like I threw a tire weight in the front. At first I thought it was just the highway, but after many miles of different road conditions it is still there. It happens between 67 and 70 or a little higher. I checked the wheels for shiny spots where weights might have been... nothing missing.

I checked Ram web sites and found quite a few articles from other Ram owners... of course, lots of parts replaced, no resolution.

My question: Has anyone had the same experience?

If you've had a similar experience... how did you fix the problem?

I will get it out on the highway tomorrow without the fiver and see if it does the same without my 17,000 or so lbs. of enjoyment dragging behind.

2015 Ram, dually. 4x4

[Camper_G]

There is a u joint that has a grease fitting Thad you have to use a needle valve on your grease gun to grease. On the driveshaft. It's a bit difficult to find but it's there. Has that ever been greased?

[Lar_s]

Thx I discovered the outside of the RF tire pretty worn down and cupped. I put the spare on tonight but won't know if that was the real problem til I hit the road tomorrow.

In researching Ram vibrations I've found that many have a similar condition and even though the front has been aligned according to Ram specs it returns. There are some new specific alignment specs that supposedly work. I'll know more after tomorrow, and when I can get in to Ram dealership early next week in Phoenix.

[reppoc12]

My 2014 felt similar, it was a broken belt in the Nexen tire.

[handye9]

Another possibility could be a brake issue.

After driving the vehicle until you feel the vibration, stop and check the temperature of your brake rotors. If you find one that is considerably hotter than the others, it could be a warped / cracked rotor, a caliper locking up, or both.

[Jayco-noslide]

Had a vibration on our 30 ft. Class C. Thought it would be a balance issue but before I could get it checked a rear tire blue. So now I think it was tread seperrating or a bulge in the tire. The tires didn't have so many miles but had some age sitting outside. I would have the balance and the tires checked. Another time, had similar but worse vibration intermittently and it turned out to be the calipers sticking. Eventually the starting smoking and had to rebuilt the brakes. Find the cause immediately as it's a safety issue.

[Grit_dog]

Trans and chassis vibration issues with Rams, from the interwebs stuff I read, are pretty much prevalent when new. And the trans vibe seems to be with the Aisin not the 68.
If it just started suddnely, I'm leaning towards wheel balance or bad tire.
Newer Ram with Nexens? Likely a tire issue.

[NMDriver]

newman fulltimer wrote:
if the vibration is in the seat it is the rear tires if you feel it in the wheel it is the front tires. good chance tire is starting to seperate

X2

Tire looked perfect mounted on truck but when dismounted there was a blister on the inside about 1/2 inch wide and 18 inches long. You could see a sag in the center tread when the air was out of the tire. Try jacking up the tires and letting all the air out to see if the tread face is uniform all the way around.

[Lar_s]

All good ideas, thanks. I do worry about the transmission. I feel I should have gotten the Aisan but was in a time crunch and had to take it off the lot in Fort Worth. With all the stuff I've read on Ram forums it looks like it might be an across the years range sort of problem. I haven't taken it out on the road unhooked yet... later today..

Thanks again for all the insight.

[nevadanick]

Dont know if they are related but my 2016 2500 had a vibration that was intermittent and after a couple months the transmission went into limp mode and a solenoid pack had to be replaced. Its been a couple months now and i have not had any vibrations.

[SidecarFlip]

Could be a driveline issue. Get underneath and check the U joints for play and if you have a carrier bearing, sheck it for lateral slop, Facroey joints for the most part are not greasable. I changed all mine out for Super U's a long time ago and grease them twice a tear.

[Ralph_Cramden]

Harmonic vibrations due to stiff frame? Read up at some of the HD Ram specific forums. GM and Ford are not immune to it either.

Had it on a 2007 new body GM 2500 and a 2013, but not on the current 2015, at least not yet in 25K miles. It only takes place in a certain speed range.

[rhagfo]

Lar's wrote:
Tire pressure is good all around. Can't switch front to back as they have different wheels. Thx again. I'll keep checking.

Wheels on a DRW are all the same outside just turned around. I would also have balance checked.

[Lar_s]

Tire pressure is good all around. Can't switch front to back as they have different wheels. Thx again. I'll keep checking.

[DennisVR]

If its a dually, check rear tire pressures. Last time I had a vibration, come to fine out I had a flat inside dual.

[JIMNLIN]

I've had front hub bearing on GM 4x4 trucks with a highway speed (above 60 mph) vibration before they go south and the grinding noise starts.
And tread belt separation vibration...however after a couple of thousand miles odd tread wear patterns starts showing up.