Beginning To Hate My Magnum

[TomBoy]

You have seen me post a couple times about a vibration driving. It is really getting to me. My new tires on my SXT AWD which are Goodyear Comfort Treads same OEM size. I have a ride like on gravel vibrating all the time in my seat. The other problem was braking vibration. Where I bought the tires replaced two. No change on anything. These have been rebalanced 6 times one being the Hunter RoadForce system. Dealer turned my rotors during this and still had braking vibration. They have now replaced the rotors for me. That vibration is gone on braking. Still have a terrible rough ride in my seat. They have checked everything. There seems to be no issue with the tires or wheels showing up. Problem is, they really have never worked on a Magnum and donot know what they are looking for wrong. Everyone that drives it, thinks the ride is not that bad. But this thing went from a great smooth car, to like driving a 4 wheel drive truck. I am at wits end. I talked with Goodyear and they were and will do what they can. But the tests show there is nothing wrong with the tires. I think ideally getting it to a dealer who will swap the exact wheels and tires would tell if in fact it need to have a different tires. I really donot know what to do. Thought about calling Dodge and asking them. At the dealer, had my windshied wiper switched replaced that was bad, my spoilers gasket fell out and they replaced the spoiler. It just came back from a transmission leak a couple weeks ago on those little o-rings. I love this car, but this all is getting to me. Any suggestions on what to check on my AWD car or what might be causing it to ride some rough...
Laurie

[Ghostface Mag]

Sorry to hear....

[MagnumFan7]

If you've ruled out wheels and tires, could it be something with the drivetrain or suspension? Maybe the driveshaft, or one of the AWD bits? Bushing, or U-joint? I'm just throwing out some ideas...

Did anything unusual happen around the time you first noticed the problem?

I hope you can get it resolved.

[MikeEast]

What's the tire pressure?

I run my KDW2's at 40psi and it's fine around here, with nice mostly smooth roads and most interstates, but on old broken up bad roads it rides just like a truck. Went down to 32 psi and the ride got right smooth again.

Mike

edit: I had a new company car once that rode like crap and vibrated oddly, turned out to be water in the tires from when they were first assembled.

[TomBoy]

Run 30 PSI on all fours according to the specs on my door which I always follow the manufacturer specs.
Laurie

[Texasmagnum]

I had a similar problem with my new Goodyear Comfort treds. Discount tire ordered a new set and they have been fine through one rotation and rebalance. I would have them try a new set.

[LoveMeSomeSRT8]

Are the new Goodyears kinda cheap? I went cheap (to save some $) on my wifes SUV and after the new tire were put on it road like crap. They had a harder tread for longer life and I hated the harsh ride. Sounds like what happened to me. My .02

Randall

Run 30 PSI on all fours according to the specs on my door which I always follow the manufacturer specs.
Laurie

[rogerdoger]

Im betting its just something due to the AWD. Every LX ive ridden in was smooth as glass, even with crappy tires. With all the added hardware, I just dont see getting the same ride. I could be wrong of course. Most AWD/ 4WD people Ive met care less about the ride. You ever ridden in a pickup with 30" tires ? ....freeways are like railroad tracks.

Another thing you might do on yours is have a quality tire store that has proper equip, test your tires and wheels for runout. A wheel that is only slightly out of round will pound you to death. Cheap check you can do is rotate all your wheels from left to right, then front to rear and see if the vibrations change.

[Meathammer]

If the only thing that changed was the tires and the ride went to crap, then it's most likely the tires. Whether there is a problem with the balance, flat spots, they bent a wheel when mounting or who knows what. Simple logic would dictate that if you only changed one thing and then the problem started, then the problem lies in that changed item.

[dadshemi]

switch your front wheels and tires to the back and the back to the front.. If you get the vibration in the wheel then its tires and or the wheels. I've got 26000 on the original tires and they are great as far as ride.

[caninekopz]

try the struts as they are crap. Have heard several problems with them and the ease at which they wear out. Just a thought

[COLORADOMAGNUM]

I have the same car and the ride was great even before I lowered it (got better after lowering). Sometimes the ride comfort is from the tires you are using. I would experiment with different tire pressures (I run 35 PSI in my stock Contis) to see if this helps. Unfortunately, "softer" tires are usually more expensive and don't last as long. Hopefully, you get this figured out. The AWD should be just as smooth a ride as the RWD.

[magnumpi50265]

Im betting its just something due to the AWD. Every LX ive ridden in was smooth as glass, even with crappy tires. With all the added hardware, I just dont see getting the same ride. I could be wrong of course. Most AWD/ 4WD people Ive met care less about the ride. You ever ridden in a pickup with 30" tires ? ....freeways are like railroad tracks.

Another thing you might do on yours is have a quality tire store that has proper equip, test your tires and wheels for runout. A wheel that is only slightly out of round will pound you to death. Cheap check you can do is rotate all your wheels from left to right, then front to rear and see if the vibrations change.

I'd agree 100% here...I had an 05 F150 with the exact problem you are discussing and it took three different road force balances to get it right...but, if the wheel/tire's out of round, you can spin them all you want and nothing will change.

[TomBoy]

Now where I am at. These wheels and tires have been balanced a totol of 6 times. The last one being Hunter RoadForce. This gives you total info.on wheel and tire. They all passed within proper specs. Because they do, Good Year will do nothing. Talking with the Co. that did the test, they think the tires are not the problem although they drove it and did not even
feel the problem like I do. I figure the best test is to find another AWD SXT at a dealer. Running through service I asked them to swap out a similar set to my car. They refuse to do this. So I have no one who will help me test this theory of it being tires. Deperate, I called the dealer who sold me the car and is no longer a Dodge dealer, he recommeneded to just call the dealer who was trying to figure this out, and tell them to call a Chyrsler rep. and set up an appointment to drive my car. He thinks after 6 balances, two new tires, and the RoadForce test, I should eliminate the wheels and tires. The dealer who bought this dealership just down the street who is trying to fix this for me, admit they know nothing about the Magnums and have nothing to compare it to on their lot. They think the ride seems to be ok. Well, ya know, I have driven this 11,000 miles and no it is not the same. Yes I had a rotor issue now taken care of, but my drivers seat vibrates like I was driving a truck. It is not right. It's not the same as it used to be. I had the rotor issue the same time as the rough ride and replaced the tires. Now the rotors and braking is fine, but the rough ride still there. And if you call the 800 # for Chrysler/Dodge, you get a rundown of questions and we cannot take you call right now. SUCKS.
Regardless, thanks for all your help.
Laurie

[rogerdoger]

If your feeling it in the seat, its usually somewhere other than the front end. Have they checked driveshaft and half shafts...motor or trans mounts ? If its just a problem in the front wheels, you usually feel it just in the steering wheel.