AWD Shudder repaired

[done]

In the last couple of weeks my car had been exhibiting the shudder from the transfer case at low speeds and high turn angles. So last Thursday I dropped my car off at Music City Dodge here in Nashville.

I asked them if they minded if I suggested a TSB and they said "That would be fine, we get them all the time form our customers. Everbody is on the internet these days" Obviously this is starting out well. Then they asked if I needed a rental car as the service would not be done that day. They checked to see if I was entitled. I have the extended service agreement, so I was. Good again.

I picked the car up on Tuesday and the TSB repair was done. They never made any mention of the obvious mods on my car and were professional, freindly and efficient.

A very satisfying experience indeed.

[05rtawd]

What was the TSB #? My 05 RT AWD sounds like it has the same problem. It is most noticeable when I am backing up and turning (to get out of the driveway or a parking spot).

I bought it with a warranty from Carmax a few months ago, so hopefully it will be covered by them.

[done]

What was the TSB #? My 05 RT AWD sounds like it has the same problem. It is most noticeable when I am backing up and turning (to get out of the driveway or a parking spot).

I bought it with a warranty from Carmax a few months ago, so hopefully it will be covered by them.

TSB 21-011-06

Good luck, Is your car still under the original drivetrain warranty?

[05rtawd]

Thanks - I am taking it in today and will ask them to consider that TSB.

I'm the 2nd owner and have had it for a few months now with 40k on the clock, so I'm not sure what kind of warranty it still has. I did get the 5yr 60k mile warranty from Carmax when I bought it used.

Hopefully this will clear it up, and maybe get rid of the slight highway shudder I'm getting as well.

Thanks!

[fnkychkn]

Thanks - I am taking it in today and will ask them to consider that TSB.

I'm the 2nd owner and have had it for a few months now with 40k on the clock, so I'm not sure what kind of warranty it still has. I did get the 5yr 60k mile warranty from Carmax when I bought it used.

Hopefully this will clear it up, and maybe get rid of the slight highway shudder I'm getting as well.

Thanks!

TSB 21-011-06 will not repair a highway shudder, but TSB 21-003-06 might.

[05rtawd]

Thanks for the tip on the highway shudder TSB. I don't think I have that one, since what I meant was more of a bouncy/vibration feeling at certain speeds. My transmission is definitely old enough to be hit by that though.

I took it in and they had one of their techs take a ride with me and he thinks the highway speed vibration is just an unbalanced tire. I couldn't get the car to do the slow-speed-sharp-turn grinding/shuddering noise since it was warmed up, but explained what it is like from a cold-start and showed him the TSB 21-011-06 and he agreed that was probably it.

They had to order the part needed, and next thursday I'll drop the car off so they can do the work. He's going to call Carmax & make sure they cover it since it is a fix for a failed part. Pretty nice folks.

[05rtawd]

The TSB fixed my slow-speed-turning shudder problem. Turns nice & quiet now. Thanks for all the info.

[AWD_Guy]

Just made an apointment to get the shudder fixed on my 05'. I tried to get them to go ahead and order the parts they'll need to do the TSB, but all I got was a "all it needs is a tranny flush" response.....which worries me. The local dodge garage is worthless and this place is an hour away and supposed to be much better. I don't really want to make two trips up there but I guess I'll have to play their little poke and hope game untill they believe me.

I'll just leave a copy of the TSB on the seat and hopefully they'll see the light.

Can anyone confirm that the transfer case fluid is seperate from the tranny fluid? If so that should at least cut down on the $$ spent as I'm sure the 7/70K warrantee won't cover a fluid change.

[LouZ]

Just made an apointment to get the shudder fixed on my 05'. I tried to get them to go ahead and order the parts they'll need to do the TSB, but all I got was a "all it needs is a tranny flush" response.....which worries me. The local dodge garage is worthless and this place is an hour away and supposed to be much better. I don't really want to make two trips up there but I guess I'll have to play their little poke and hope game untill they believe me.

I'll just leave a copy of the TSB on the seat and hopefully they'll see the light.

Can anyone confirm that the transfer case fluid is seperate from the tranny fluid? If so that should at least cut down on the $$ spent as I'm sure the 7/70K warrantee won't cover a fluid change.

The transfer case fluid is seperate form the trans fluid....

[LowGo]

Just made an apointment to get the shudder fixed on my 05'. I tried to get them to go ahead and order the parts they'll need to do the TSB, but all I got was a "all it needs is a tranny flush" response.....which worries me.

I just made an appointment to take mine in tomorrow. They too want to look at it before ordering any parts. Fortunately, they're only a couple miles away, so repeat visits isn't an issue. I did talk with them about the known shudder issue on the AWD, and the service writer did agree that it was probably the issue. He does know that my car has been lowered, and did mention that, but also admitted that it will only be an issue if it can be show to contribute to the problem. Hopefully, it won't be an issue.

Good luck with your repairs.

[done]

It is not unreasonable for them to want to see and drive the car first. This is actualy a pretty expensive warranty job and they need to make sure they are right when they order parts. When I had mine done, I had to leave the car over the weekend. Fortunately, I have the Chrysler service contract so a rental car was covered.

[Scott]

Just made an apointment to get the shudder fixed on my 05'. I tried to get them to go ahead and order the parts they'll need to do the TSB, but all I got was a "all it needs is a tranny flush" response.....which worries me.

I'll just leave a copy of the TSB on the seat and hopefully they'll see the light.

My car was one of the first to get the shudder problem. The dealer replaced the transfer case fluid with a fluid having slightly different friction modifers. They/we didn't know what the cause of the problem was at that point. Anyway, the symptoms went away for 4-7k miles or so.

Later when the symptoms returned, Chrysler then knew what the problem was and had issued a TSB.

The TSB is not likely something the dealer can just squeeze-in the same day if they were only planning a fluid change.

I don't think we know if *all* 2005's get the symptoms, so letting them try the fluid change, seems reasonable.

[Chrisjh]

I had the driveline shudder problem and the dealer fixed it on the same day along with other service (drop off car in AM, pick up in PM). Clutch thingy, vent tube, and fluid replace.

[JamminWagon]

Sounds like you have a winner of a dealer!! Mine here said that the passenger airbag sensor was caused because the car was getting a MIL/CEL message of missing radio. When I told them that I have had the problem before because of moving and putting a TV on the seat for 500 miles, the only way to get them to do the seat procedure was to say " I will pay for it if it dont fix it". When I picked the car up and it did fix it, the service writer had to go on lunch all of a sudden.

You need to write the manager and express your postive experience.

[AWD_Guy]

Got the car back a few days ago, shudder is fixed. The tech also re-attached the exahust using an "alternate methode" that was supposed to reduce some droning issues. This caused the exhaust to rattle on the crossmember. He ended up having to put some washers under the crossmember to get it to clear. Is anyone aware of this "alternate method" and can I undue it? The exhaust cleared fine before he messes with it.