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Nick
Dodge Dakota
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8/10/2004
20:54:48

Subject: Mild shimmy and shudder
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I have 7500 miles on my 04 regular cab, and last week, I noticed a mild shimmy or shudder which kicks in at about 38-42 mph. It doesn't do it all the time, though. It feels like I'm going over uneven road, even though the road is perfectly smooth. It's not in the steering wheel--it's the whole truck that shudders. I had the tires rotated at 6000 miles, and everything was fine after that, though I did notice that the front tires, which used to be on back, were worn more in the center than the edges. That might be because when I took delivery, all the tires were way overinflated, which I didn't notice until later. I've tried coasting in neutral while it's shuddering, and the shuddering is still there. Any idea what it might be?



fastyz400
Dodge Dakota
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8/11/2004
01:31:29

RE: Mild shimmy and shudder
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With a truck that new, i bet it's just the tires.

Read my post on Driveline vibration. It's on the first page of this section.



Doyle
Dodge Dakota
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8/11/2004
01:52:44

RE: Mild shimmy and shudder
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I have a 2003 Club Cab with 13K miles on it and it does the same thing. I've had the tires balanced twice, rotated once, and even put on some aftermarket wheels - no help.



Mr.Sleepy
Dodge Dakota
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8/11/2004
08:11:57

RE: Mild shimmy and shudder
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I've got the same problem on mine. This didn't come about until my second set of tires with 20,000 on them. I've got coopers on now, but my Wrangler A/Ts never gave me the problem. I've got a 2002 CC Dak 4x2 with 50k. I was going to buy new tires since mine are going bald. I'll let you know if it helps.



fastyz400
Dodge Dakota
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8/11/2004
11:41:06

RE: Mild shimmy and shudder
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Worst case, take it to a shop with a Dyno. You will be able to tell where your vibration is coming from.

Again, read my post on Driveline vibration.



Nick
Dodge Dakota
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8/11/2004
16:11:55

RE: Mild shimmy and shudder
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I have an appointment at the dealer next week. I'm pretty sure it's the tires or the alignment, but I want them to check everything else out just in case. It could be the Goodyear Wrangler SR-A's that came with the truck. I had to get one of them replaced the first week because it was defective--there was a bulge on the side of it that I noticed first time I washed the truck. The other three have a small bulge in the same place, probably where the inner seam is, but on one of them the bulge was just too big.



fastyz400
Dodge Dakota
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8/11/2004
16:36:18

RE: Mild shimmy and shudder
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Nick,

One thing that i learned, is that the dealer will not take the time to run down vibration problems. At least in my case with GM cars. That's why i will never buy one again.

If, i were you, i'd insist that the dealer fixes the problem. After 3 tries, the lemon law takes into effect. You may check your state law to see, what is considered a lemon. They may just take the truck back and give you a new one.

A truck that new. Should not have a vibration. Don't let the dealer sucker you into that one. It could also have a bent axle or bad U-joints. Never rule that out. But, the bent axle or bad U-joints, the dealer probably will not look that far. Because, it costs them money.

So, the best thing i would do, is look up the lemon law in your state, and threaten to use it, if they don't fix it. Remember, the dealer usually has 3 shot at the same problem.



rdesr
Dodge Dakota
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8/11/2004
19:47:19

RE: Mild shimmy and shudder
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mine has shimmy problems on the hwy, it comes and goes. i have had all kinds of work done and it is still with us.



fastyz400
Dodge Dakota
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8/12/2004
02:14:25

RE: Mild shimmy and shudder
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rdesr,

Just wondering, did they flush your Trans fluid?

I have read that it could be a sign of your transmission fluid breakdown. Especially when it comes and goes.



fastyz400
Dodge Dakota
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8/13/2004
02:19:21

RE: Mild shimmy and shudder
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OK you guys,

Solved the problem of the mysterious shimmy and shudder.

It is the transmission oil. What happens is the internal clutchs slip causing the Shudder and shimmy.

You can check your tires all you want but nothing seems to help. If, you have questions you can contact me on yahoo or msn messenger.

Yahoo: fastyz400
MSN: fastyz400

Just mention your from the Dakota forum.

Use the following Procedures:
1. Disconnect the battery. Let it sit for about 10 min. Then reconnect and drive it. If, it still shudders or shimmy. You probably will have to replace your transmission fluid and filter.

2. Don't take it to an independent shop, they use Mercron with a additive to bring it to Dodge's Standard for friction adder. This is a big no no. If, you insist on a third party shop do it. Have them show you that they have Amsoil or ATF+4

3. This is optional. I added a bottle of Lubeguard Trans saver from Napa (Part No. 7652601) from Napa, it's suppose to eliminate slipping clutchs and Torque converter shudder.

3. Once you get it back drive it for about 50 miles mixing highway and city. Boom, no more shudder.

Yahoo: fastyz400
MSN: fastyz400



Nick
Dodge Dakota
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8/13/2004
11:58:35

RE: Mild shimmy and shudder
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If it's the tranny oil, would it still shudder even in neutral? Because mine shudders in neutral too, which leads me to believe it's the tires. I'll bring it up to 45 mph, shift it into neutral, and as it passes down between 42-38 mph, there's the shudder.



fastyz400
Dodge Dakota
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8/13/2004
13:45:43

RE: Mild shimmy and shudder
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Well, mine shimmy and shuddered no matter what gear slection mine was in. Keep in mind. There is still resistance even when you are in nuetral. What i mean is there is still drag. What i would do is, keep it in drive and try to ease on the gas where the vibration goes away. 38-42. This is where you are getting Torque converter lockup. At least on my Durango with 3.92 rear.

Just for the heck of it. Try to retrain your computer first. This would be the cheapest way. Disconnect your computer, then reconnect it. Then go drive it.

If, this doesn't work, try a bottle of Lubeguard. If, your shudder and shimmy goes away. Then you know, your fluid is on it's last leg. It's only $12.95 a bottle



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