Hello there!

My 2001 Durango has a little problem. Maybe a big one. I don't know.

Here's what's going on:
When I accelerate quickly (punch it) from a stop or a slow speed I hear a clanking noise. It sound like it's coming from underneath (obviously) at the point that the driver/passenger seat is. Near the tranny and U-Joint.

It sounds like a wrench being beaten on a steel beam. I checked and all my wrenches are accounted for and no steel beam is visible.

It does not happen when I am at higher speeds. I have tried to start off in 1st and 2nd gears with the same result.

I inherited the Durango from my wife who really took bad care of it. I did the normal oil changes. But no real drive train maintenance for sometime. I was doing all the maintenance on schedule until life took over and I couldn;t afford to pay to have it done. I know the tranny fluid and filter, and differentials need the fluid changed. It has 205K on it. No major engine work. The tranny was rebuilt at about 80k. Of course the rotors, calipers and electrical systems have been a headache.

Any ideas on what could be the issue? A while back there was a shimmy at low acceleration on take off and at low acceleration at cruising speeds.

I was thinking it could be the U-Joints going bad. At least hoping that...

Thanks!
Shane

Your input is most appreciated.

 

do you have a 4x4? it kinda sounds like the chain in the t-case has stretched enough to slap around and make this noise, if this is the case it will get worse as time goes on

 

yes it is a 4x4. so if it is the chain in the transfer case is it an easy fix? doesn't sound too bad. I guess I can open it up and see if it has a lot of slack.

 

if the chain is the problem i would expect to be rebuilding the t-case, you never know what it could have been bouncing off of over time, of course driveline noises carry through the driveshaft/axles really well making them difficult to pinpoint

 

I have a 2002 ram van 1500, rear weal drive and i have the same problem, but sounds like it is the rear diff, every time i accelerate quickly from a stop it gives one or two "clunks" or "knocks" than goes away

 

Well it could be a chain, U-joint, or gear end issue. All of which are accessible to look for fragments and such.