2005 Quad Cab Tranny makes vibrating noise

[AMS3]

So in the past week, sometimes during acceleration, my tranny is making a vibrating noise. The fluid is not bright red, but is at the correct level. It goes away if I let off the gas. Thoughts? Oh, and there is only 73K miles on the truck.

 

[VIPR PWR]

how bad is the fluid ?


if you have a stethoscope use it to listen for the sound .. at least get some idea of the location in the trans , bellhousing , pan, case etc. .. a piece of pipe can be used for a stethoscope also !


Pull the pan and see what you see ... fluid , sediment, metal shavings .... gasket is reusable.. check the filter best to replace and buy a lot of trans fluid ..

 

[AMS3]

how bad is the fluid ?


if you have a stethoscope use it to listen for the sound .. at least get some idea of the location in the trans , bellhousing , pan, case etc. .. a piece of pipe can be used for a stethoscope also !


Pull the pan and see what you see ... fluid , sediment, metal shavings .... gasket is reusable.. check the filter best to replace and buy a lot of trans fluid ..

Thank you for the response. It will be hard with the stethoscope because in neutral or park, there is no sound. Only when actually driving. I have however scheduled a fluid and filter change for next week. Once I do, I'll post on here with the results with shavings, etc. Oh, what type of fluid, and how many quarts are needed?
I do have a question, is there a website that sells rebuilt automatic tranny's for the SRT 10? I haven't found a site except one, and they only refurb the manual tranny.

 

[VIPR PWR]

Check suncoast transmissions ...
Ronnie

rottenronnie
May have more info for you .. he’s had work done on his and seems to know a large amount about the 48RE ...

I think I bought the mopar atf 4 for mine in gallon jugs 2 gallon, can’t remember if that was the right amount or not .. , when I did the service and installed a suncoast valve body with trans Go shift kit for the srt10 specifically...

http://suncoasttransmissions.com/
Make sure you tell them it’s an srt10 trans ..

 

[rottenronnie]

What is the shift quality like at part-throttle (normal driving around)?
What is it like at full-throttle?

 

[rottenronnie]

A fluid/filter change and band adjustment is part of the maintenance, but very rarely solves any operational issues (if you have any).
Like VIPR PWR said, you may need to crawl around to isolate the sound or get it up on a chassis-hoist so the wheels can turn.
A vibrating sound is not a normal sound for a transmission. Perhaps it is coming from your Flexplate(?)

It's hard to describe/diagnose "sound" through words; just ask the guys that write articles for audiophiles'.

It will require 5 quarts or so.

PS I still can't edit my existing posts so another post (like this) works too.

 

[rottenronnie]

If you have an aftermarket deep-pan, it will (of course) require even more fluid.

 

[rottenronnie]

YOU should be using the ATF+4 (for Mopars).

The +4 is an additive that causes some internal slip. It was introduced primarily for front-wheel-drives to prevent feedback from "chatter" affecting the ECU (creating a false misfire code).

You probably didn't need to know that, but now you do.

 

[beastmode1]

Thank you for the response. It will be hard with the stethoscope because in neutral or park, there is no sound. Only when actually driving. I have however scheduled a fluid and filter change for next week. Once I do, I'll post on here with the results with shavings, etc. Oh, what type of fluid, and how many quarts are needed?
I do have a question, is there a website that sells rebuilt automatic tranny's for the SRT 10? I haven't found a site except one, and they only refurb the manual tranny.

X2 builders have a plethora of Ram SRT10 transmissions check with Scott there.

 

[AMS3]

What is the shift quality like at part-throttle (normal driving around)?
What is it like at full-throttle?

It shifts for the most part normally, especially when I stomp on it. I do notice though, at slower speed, say between 10 - 20 mph, it will shift back and fourth between first and second. Is that normal? Oh, and tomorrow, 10/26 it's going in the shop for a filter and fluid change. Be interesting to see if there is a difference. The vibration is still intermittent, but for the most part she's running good. In hard acceleration, there's no vibration, it's more when I'm slowly just accelerating. I recently had all U joints and Carrier bearing replaced. Is it possible that the mechanic did not align the shaft properly?

 

[VIPR PWR]

That’s been a problem with the 48RE’s forever ..... mine did it and I adjusted the throttle kick down linkage pre valve body install ... others replace the gov. Assy with the GM aftermarket gov. Jtsvp.com sells them and or the pressure switch .. the are on the valve body ... might be something to get before yo do the service .... but like I said I just adjust the kick down linkage on mine ,, been fine for years

https://shop.jtsvp.com/category.sc?categoryId=273

 

[AMS3]

Thank you for the information!

 

[AMS3]

how bad is the fluid ?


if you have a stethoscope use it to listen for the sound .. at least get some idea of the location in the trans , bellhousing , pan, case etc. .. a piece of pipe can be used for a stethoscope also !


Pull the pan and see what you see ... fluid , sediment, metal shavings .... gasket is reusable.. check the filter best to replace and buy a lot of trans fluid ..

So I had the fluid changed today, and we found out what the vibrating is coming from. One of the previous owners did a shade tree lowering to the suspension, and removed a leaf on the rear springs, which has made them very weak. When going from a dead stop, due to the weak springs, the truck is squatting more than it should, and it's pushing the drive shaft into one of my exhaust hangars. I've decided to replace the whole suspension front to rear including upper control arms (Moog), lower ball joints, and rear leafs. I'll also be adding traction bars to keep the axel from rotating. All parts plus the 2/4.5 lowering kit have been ordered. I also had the front wheel bearing hubs replaced today, wow, I'm glad I did. The right you could barely spin by hand, the left, not at all. Previous owners have treated this truck hard, but once I've replaced everything, it's going to be like new.

 

[VIPR PWR]

So I had the fluid changed today, and we found out what the vibrating is coming from. One of the previous owners did a shade tree lowering to the suspension, and removed a leaf on the rear springs, which has made them very weak. When going from a dead stop, due to the weak springs, the truck is squatting more than it should, and it's pushing the drive shaft into one of my exhaust hangars. I've decided to replace the whole suspension front to rear including upper control arms (Moog), lower ball joints, and rear leafs. I'll also be adding traction bars to keep the axel from rotating. All parts plus the 2/4.5 lowering kit have been ordered. I also had the front wheel bearing hubs replaced today, wow, I'm glad I did. The right you could barely spin by hand, the left, not at all. Previous owners have treated this truck hard, but once I've replaced everything, it's going to be like new.

Wow truck abuse at its finest ... glad you figured it out !
You say traction bars .... are you saying Caltracs ...

 

[AMS3]

Wow truck abuse at its finest ... glad you figured it out !
You say traction bars .... are you saying Caltracs ...

Yes, it's Caltracs, ordered them yesterday. BTW, my truck is identical to your's same color, everything. Once the mechanical stuff is done, she's getting all dings out of the body and a new paint job with double 12" wide maroon stripes, front to back.

 

[Slitherbeast]

Have the trans shop check the flex plate. they are known to crack and fail. could be where the vibration is coming from

 

[AMS3]

Have the trans shop check the flex plate. they are known to crack and fail. could be where the vibration is coming from

Figured it out. I've since replaced all suspension, front to rear. OEM rear leafs, McGaughy 2/4.5 Flip kit with coils. Upper Control arms, lower balljoints. The vibration was due to the axle shifted to the right because of the weak leaf springs. When under a load, the axle would wrap, causing the drive shaft to rub against one of the exhaust hangers. All that's been rectified, the truck now has smooth acceleration, no vibrations. Man, it feels and drives like a brand new truck. Whoever did the original lowering, did it redneck style. They used a torch to weaken the front coils. The mechanic showed me the old coils, they were so weak, they were crooked. Not anymore, she's good to go. I'll be having the Caltrac traction bars installed 12/6, and that'll complete the whole suspension system. Next on the list is to get the body work done and new paint.

 

[Jeffrey F Maanao]

That's great AMS3! A lot of awesome feedback from this community, love it! Once my truck arrives, I'll be replacing lines for powering steering and oil first, then work on suspension before performance. I've been lurking around these forums for the past 4 months before I decided to own the beast looking forward to seeing yours with its fresh coat!

 

[AMS3]

That's great AMS3! A lot of awesome feedback from this community, love it! Once my truck arrives, I'll be replacing lines for powering steering and oil first, then work on suspension before performance. I've been lurking around these forums for the past 4 months before I decided to own the beast looking forward to seeing yours with its fresh coat!

Welcome aboard!
I had the traction bars installed on 12/10, and holy cow what a difference. Off the line she just squats and launches, LOL. While your playing with the suspension, you may want to think about getting the Caltracs traction bars added, you won't be disappointed.

 

[Jeffrey F Maanao]

Thank you! LOL, I can only imagine the big smile on your face and probably went to bed that night with the same expression hahahaha... and yes definitely, Caltracs on top of my suspension list. Enjoy!