Hello all dodge owners. This is my first post and I need some help. I recently bought a 98 dodge ram 5.9l 4x4. Whenever I let off the gas a winding almost grinding noise comes from the front of the truck. And it only happens when the truck is in gear. It almost sounds like the front axle is trying to engage. The transmission shifts smooth and I really dont think its the tranny? And im hoping not also. U-joints? Any help would be great? Thanks You

 

If it is a stick shift it could be the thow out bearing .

 

Its auto. It sounds exactly like a tire rubbing. But I know Its not.

 

have you got or can you use a shop where you can SAFELY put the truck up on 4 jack stands, have an assistant 'drive' so you can inspect and listen to everything while the parts are moving. a piece of pipe makes a good stethoscope for tracing down noises.

 

You didn't say how many miles are on the truck. Check and see if the Harmonic balancer is rubbing against the timimg chain cover mine just went last week or also the water pump might be going one way to check all the pullys is to remove the sepintine belt and start the truck if the noise goes away then it's in the w/ pump or p/s pump or alt and at best the tensior. If the noise is still there check the d/side of the timing chain cover at the timimg marks that where my truck rubbed right thru the cover in three days ( I do a lot of miles everyday pulling a trailer ) Hope these are not the problem but would not hurt to check them Best of luck

 

The truck has 78000 miles. Im going to look at the h. balancer. I just drove it again and I swear it sounds like the front axle is trying to engage.

 

there is a vacum motor on the front axle for the 4x4 engagement dont know how to check but maybe just maybe..............