I get a shuddering feeling when starting off especially shifting into 2ond gear between 20 and 30 mph. I checked the u joints and they seem to be tight..also I get a Ping noise too which would indicate to me a u joint but I cannot tell if the u joints are bad.. they seem tight.

Check transmission fluid level.

Well, you did a really good job of describing the symptoms, but you didn't do so well describing the car. Are we talking about an automatic or standard transmission? are we talking about a four or six cylinder engine? You are asking about a drivetrain problem without giving any information about what drivetrain the vehicle is equipped with.

With all that said, IF we are talking about an automatic transmission being pushed by a V-6 engine, then there is a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) that matches the symptoms you are describing. In this case, the problem is most likely being caused by a deformed or damaged exhaust pipe "A" mounting bracket.

Inspect the rubber bracket for cracks or torn rubber. If the bracket is damaged replace the bracket. Bend the stud on the exhaust pipe if necessary to get the stud to go through the bracket as straight as possible so the stud does not "ground" against the sides of the bracket. (see diagram)

Its more than likely the clutch or pressure plate. A chewd up clutch will vibrate when engaged.

Hey, I also have a 98 ram with the cummins and what you are talking about is when you are pullin hard in overdrive the trans is working to hard causing the shudder, when this happens back off the throttle and get back on the throttle to allow the trans to downshift. If you dont it will break the overdrive gear. There is nothing wrong with the trans it is just that it is shifting to early and bogging down causing the shudder.

Mine had a *bad*, but intermitent engine shudder (like it was running out of gas) between 30 and 40 mph. After 3 trips to the dealer, it finally did it in front of them. It's quite dramatic, so they admitted that I wasn't just bringing it in for fun and started guessing what was wrong. They found a TSB that recommended starting with one of the O2 sensors, which fixed it perfectly, immediately.

Sounds like yours isn't your engine - but I thought I should say something just in case.

You need to check your drive shaft universal joints. Chock your wheels so the truck can not move or roll. Take It out of gear and grab the drive shaft and try to turn it by hand, looking at the rear joint as you do this, then do the same for the front joint. You are looking for the shaft to move and not the rear or front yoke, if you have a loose feeling that is your U-joint.

I'd shudder too at 260,000 miles. . By shudder, do you mean vibration?. U-joints usually show up at around 45 mph. So try to narrow it down.

It's a step-by-step process. If it only happens on acceleration then it is a drivetrain problem. Start verifying from the outer cv joints and go in from there

Hi,

Appreciate the direct "Ask Me".

Initially, what comes to mind is probable faulty universal joints (U-joint), actually two of them and/or missing retainer clips. They would be coupling the transmission to the propeller shaft and then to the differential. The power train is nearly perfectly balance system and any missing needle bearing on any of the four ends of the U-joint wold cause a slight wobble on a particular speed. To check, the vehicle must be lifted and the propeller shaft yanked. There must be no noticeable play or slack.

Hope this be of initial help/idea. Pls post back how things turned up or should you need additional information.

Good luck and kind regards. Thank you for using FixYa.

Just guessing. Could it be a warped brake disk? That would cause vibration. And vibration in steering might conceivably cause splashing out the power steering reservoir. You would know if the disk were warped by a shudder when you brake at hight speeds.