Acceleration vibration from 30 to about 40 MPH

ASSOCER

MEMBER
2002 DODGE RAM
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
85,500 MILES

Accelerating from 0-29 is completely normal but from 30-about 40 my truck starts vibrating. Its not the most violent shaking Ive seen, but it shakes hard enough to rattle some of the plastic pieces in the cab like the cupholders. While Im between 30 and 40 and its shaking, the second I let off the gas pedal its as smooth as ever, but as soon as I hit the gas pedal again it starts vibrating. It just started doing this Saturday night, so its been doing it for about 2 days. I have a 1500 mile drive in about a week and need to get this fixed asap. Thanks for your help.

2 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,289 POSTS

The symptoms you're describing, where your 2002 Dodge Ram starts vibrating when accelerating between 30 and 40 mph, could be caused by a variety of issues. While I can't diagnose the problem definitively without a physical inspection, I can offer some possible explanations for the behavior you're experiencing:

Wheel Balance or Alignment Issues: Vibrations during acceleration can often be caused by imbalanced wheels or misaligned tires. If your wheels are not balanced correctly, you might experience shaking at specific speeds. Similarly, if your wheels are misaligned, it can lead to uneven tire wear and vibrations.

Tire Issues: Uneven tire wear, a damaged tire, or a tire with a belt separation can cause vibrations. Make sure to inspect all your tires for signs of wear or damage.

Driveshaft or U-Joint Problems: Issues with the driveshaft or its associated U-joints could cause vibrations under certain conditions. A worn or imbalanced driveshaft could result in the symptoms you're describing.

Transmission Issues: Transmission problems, such as a torque converter issue or slipping gears, can lead to vibrations during acceleration. This is less likely since you mentioned the vibrations go away when you release the gas pedal.

Engine Misfire: A misfiring cylinder can lead to uneven power delivery and vibrations. Check for any diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) related to misfires.

Suspension Components: Worn or damaged suspension components, such as control arms, bushings, or shocks, can contribute to vibrations.

Exhaust System Issues: A loose or damaged exhaust component could cause vibrations, especially if it's resonating at a certain speed range.