So ive got this problem on my dakota thats got an automatic. The other day i went out mudding, not too serious just through some puddles and stuff. I drove around for an hour after that, going to friends places and stuff. One guy's driveway is a good 30 degree angle so i threw it in park and put the parking break on. This truck has always had a little harder than normal shifts, especially into park or reverse, and it took a bit to get it to shift, not a big concern its on a big hill. So i back out and start driving down the street and i notice a big of a grinding noise. It sounded kinda like a low growl mixed with really aggressive mud tires even though I've just got BFG all terrains. I pull over and stop (its 1 am on a residential street) to take a look. I notice it now grinds going into park, reverse or drive. I get a friend to take a look underneath for any leaks or damage, he couldn't find any and neither could i with a flashlight although i didn't go right under. We put it in neutral and i was calling my friend to see if i could borrow his trailer to tow it home when my buddy tries shifting and it works fine after a few min of sitting in neutral. WTF? All the way home (10 min) theres that light grinding/roaring from the front drivers side, although i couldn't be sure. The next morning i start it up to drive it into the garage for further inspection, and it shifts fine. Ive been driving it all week no problems so far. It cant be the oil overheating, I've got a towing package with a cooler and i wasn't hauling anything. I recently replaced the front cv joint because of a clicking there but that problems pretty much solved although thats another issue. Any ideas? Sorry for the long post

 

If your due for a trans service, I'd drop the pan and see what, "if any", surprises lay in it.