steve lada

well I did not make it to the mechanic shop. I was waiting on the new front driveshaft bolts that I had to order. earlier i mentioned i still needed to add a few ounces to ptu so I did that. and Dorman sent me a new shaft. ( now keep in mind that the vibration was lots better with the shaft out but not really completely gone) Bolts arrive, put new shaft in. much to my surprise most of the vibration is gone. like 90 percent! now how does this figure? its been a few weeks now and it has not gotten worse. I believe the PTU is the culprit . and if it stays as is, I can live with it. I want to Thank you guys for you input and great ideas along the way here. seriously can't thank you enough!! so now you ask, why did this guy put so much money and time in this thing? A friend of mine past away in 2019 and I inherited this car. He was my oldest brother. annnd Nowwww you know.....the RRRREEEESSSST.. of the story. GOOD DAY!

129.000 mi well taken care of. I know very strange. when I changed out the front ptu fluid,then drove with the shaft out, the vibration was gone up to 80 mph. however, after a few days (shaft still out) the vibration makes its way back at 70 plus but much better with the shaft out. drives perfect from 0 to 60 since the vibration is in the wheel and seat, (shaft out) I Think I can rule out rear end. right now I'm looking to see if there is a way to actually check the ptu itself. is driving on a hoist possible i would think the wheels need to be on a solid surface. anyway. one day next week I am going to visit one of the best mechanical minds I know. I would have done this earlier but this guy is just super busy. Thanks again for your thoughts and ideas. will keep you posted to this nightmare

well shit...after a few days of assessing,here's what i got. without the driveshaft on the vibration is much better. then I put the shaft back on and noticeably worse. just to be certain I take it back off right away. sure enough better, but not gone. soooo my thought is, is the driveshaft just magnifying the original vibrate or does the shaft actually make it worse? hmmm. I bought the driveshaft from dorman and it still has warranty, called them and explained that its worse when on. pretty sure they are sending me a replacement. having said this, I believe the ptu is the issue or somewhere there connected. btw thanks for the blu locktite reminder had it covered. but now taken off a few more times I have a new set on the way

ya know, I saw that same fluid formula too.buuuut if you check around its just not right.even here in this forum the case calls for .8 liters. (27-28 oz) so in reality it was only say 3 maybe 3 1/2 oz over full. still it made a tremendous. difference. gonna drive it for a few days and let you know. enjoy your day!

yessir I,m thinking so. not to mention the pressure build up! as I mentioned i saw seeping around the unit but never see oil spots on my drive. I'll get her cleaned up the right amount of oil in and hope the ptu is not too bad off. I will let you know. thanks brother you have been amazing!

I'm about to fall off of my chair here...I may have found something thanks to your thoughts., I have been driving without the driveshaft in for a few days now. and since you mentioned the viscous coupler does not turn, it only makes sense that the vibration is from the FRONT! So I decided to look into the PTU thing. when I drained it, I was surprised to find that I collected almost 31 ounces of fluid! aaaand my car was still slightly tilted back.( while underneath i noticed the ptu is seeping from the gaskets hmmmm) the drain plug I'd say had some normal sludge build up. I filled her up by way of the vent tube I used a large hypo oiling needle used on my Harley forks. (worked so good) buuut im 2 oz short..no biggie for now. I did not think it was gonna make the diff. entering the freeway....60..no vib..70 no vib im shitting...75...no vibrate!! 80....smoooth as silk. on the way back I let it get to 85-90 and it vibrated just a tad. we have found the culprit! I have only had this car since 2019 and i have no idea how in the hell that case could have been over filled. but it was and it sure seems to be the cause. I still owe it 2 ounces. maybe it will take care of the rest. either way, now I know! I think .hahahah wilI let you know after a few more test rides...fingers crossed

Ok, i will look into the front PTO level . the rear magnet was really clean almost nothing on it at all i was surprised.. the search continues...will keep you posted thanks!

from 0to 60 id say no vibration at all. then as I pick up speed its starts to vibrate when I get on the freeway (and I'm around them a lot at 75 to 85.. I usually set cruise at 83) the vibration is not a radical need to pull over or dangerous one at all but very annoying. and constant. picture the water in a glass buzzing in the cup holder. and put that feeling both in the steering wheel and the seat. so yesterday john here suggested I try taking the driveshaft off and driving it. and I did.....I thought for sure this would do it. NOPE! but this test does eliminate the driveshaft being out of balance. now it did seem to be a little easier on the vibrate but I'm not really sure. I need to drive it around for a few more days before I can put a definite yes or no on it. now with the shaft off, the viscous housing is still turning so.....on the list, a few mentioned rear sub frame bushings...on the list, did not replace front lower control arms,on the list. I know you mentioned the wheels but they are not the problem had the looked at by 3 different places.. I have been wrenching cars my entire life. and I'm 68 this one..........I wanna shoot

wow that is fantastic information my friend! but first, their are two people with the same problem here mine did not have any impact at all. and all of the parts I listed I see that i forgot to mention all struts have been replaced as well....just to be sure here's the list again. all 4 struts all 4 cv shafts, intermediate shaft,drive shaft with carrier bearing, all brakes and rotors,all hubs and wheel bearings, front steering knuckles with new ball joints, new tie rod ends,rear lower and upper lateral links, new Michelin tires, wheel alignment. crazy huh? I cant wait to try the front wheel drive test. I will keep you posted Thank-You again so much

you are right about one thing,most are wear parts. so my 2015 is almost a 2025! all of the wheels have been checked many times on a high speed balance machine. John,are you saying try driving without the driveshaft connected? hmmmmmm and letting the front wheel drive take over??? I never would have thought of this. but can this really be done?

I do not have the old drive shaft. the carrier bearing was clearly worn and rusted, and i was certain this problem was solved. not to be...now the mention of shops having a special analysis tool has my attention. I have never heard of such a thing but my eye balls are wide open. my 2015 is soon to be a 2025..............would love to find this to help another guy. I was even gonna go back to the mechanics shop and fill him in in case he ever had one like this. its probably gonna cost me more than the damn thing is worth....but now ..I'm pissed.

after differential fluid change...vibration still there. Yes I did have the wheels aligned by a very good shop. I'm going to go back and talk to him about these bushings. I'm starting to think viscous coupler which I know nothing about other than its part of the AWD and that its connected in my path of issues

just changed out the differential fluid.jury is still out...how tough are the rear subframe bushings to swap out? cant seem to get a read on this one

I was in upstate NY for my sons hockey tournament some years ago and I remember the speeds only being 65. around here if I'm doing 83 in the fast lane I'll get run over. great! another idea I will look to the filling of the differential. I replaced the coupler along with the driveshaft and carrier bearing tho thanks again! I,m on it

Ohhh sorry. Yes this is a 3.6 AWD

Here in Michigan in the northern lower posted speeds are 75 mph. so 80 is is quite normal I like to set my cruise at around 83. I don,t think motor mounts are the issue. they did cross my mind so at the higher speeds I just put the trans in neutral and let the motor rest, vibration still there. I"m now starting to feel the vibration at lower speeds now. so at 60 ish it comes and goes. I'm thinking about taking the drive shaft back off and having it balanced since it is an after market. (DORMAN) speaking of the the drive shaft, am I missing anything as far as assembly? is there a certain sequence or something? now i will look into the rear sub frame bushings for sure. thanks for that! any other thoughts are most certainly welcomed Thank-You very much!

I have same problem 2015 dodge Journey 126000.mi steering wheel and seat vibration at 70-80 mph here is my list of replaced parts. new tires balanced probably 5 times struts front and rear brakes,rotors, ball joints, tie rod ends, cv axles, front and rear,intermediate shaft, all 4 wheel hubs with bearings,front steering knuckles,complete drive shaft, rear upper and lower lateral arms.the front lower control arms are solid. after all of this, still vibrates! I am beside myself. any suggestions? I'm thinking has to be in the rear end now somewhere?