[Kendall]

Okay, I have a weird one this time. 2009 Dodge Ram Laramie. 215k miles.

The rear end feels like it sways when I hit a bump or go around turns, or have uneven roads at 60+mph, and has a vibration around the same speed. That sway and vibration will go away between 85-90mph.

It has all brand-new sway bars, front tie rods (inner and outter), front hubs/ball joints, full brake job done, brand new studded tires, alignment, and differential rebuilds. Don’t think it matters, but it also has had multiple oil changes since finding this problem.

It started doing this about 2 months ago when I went out of town (approximately 300 miles) for a big grocery haul. Started about a quarter of the way home, first noticed it when I hit a frost heave. The bed was weighed down full of groceries at the time, almost overflowing and lots of heavy items, so I figured it was weighted unevenly and didn’t worry much about it until it started doing it again the next day when the truck was completely empty.

I have taken this truck to 3 different Les Schwabs, 2 different mechanics shops, been under it myself, and had a friend take a look. None of which could figure out what may be causing this sway.

The only reasons I can think of would be an unbalanced driveshaft, or less likely,  the studded tires on the now warmer pavement. But I figured I’d ask if there are any other things I should look into.

[Dylan]

Possibly the rear Trac bar. I believe it may have one. Possibly broken or loose. Worth checking. Not a part you see go bad very often but could cause this. Shake may be related but start with balance in tires. If that don’t fix and Trac bars not problem, maybe check u joints on rear driveshaft. Just a thought.

[Henry]

If shocks or a trailing arm don’t fix your problem, I would purchase new coil springs. These coil spring trucks don’t seem to actually be able to long term tow and haul like the leaf sprung variants, and the coil springs loose their recoil relatively quick compared to the 30-year-old leaf spring trucks ready to haul another 30 years of loads.

[Jason]

I would go with tires first if it does it with some radials under it then I’d be looking at the front end specifically the Trac bar, ball joints and rear leaf bushings…

[Jim]

Nope, if this occurs in a turn situation. Pull that diff cover off and inspect. A drive doesn’t care if you are driving straight or not. If it was out of balance, you would feel it always. I suspect possible side gear issues or the bearings.

Good luck

[Matthew]

I would suggest checking all rubber bushing on the rear end.

[John]

Bend drive shaft or you joints. Put it on the hoist and put it in gear and see if your drive shaft is true.

[Jean]

You didn’t mention shocks. Sounds like a vavling issue in rear shocks.

[Besticanafford]

Check your rear spring shackles. They probably don’t exist on a truck with 215k miles that needs studded tires.

[Thad]

Did you check your track bar? Have someone turn your steering wheel back and forth, only need to be a quarter to half turn and look at your track bar. Should not have movement

[Author]

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