Drive line lash
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
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Drive line lash
Hello all. New guy here. I just got a 1996 1500 4x4 with atuo trans and 5.9L engine. 94k miles. I think I already know the answer to this question, u-joints, but would like to get your opinions since you've owned these trucks linger than I have.
Putting the truck in gear gives a little bump. Then, when you go down the road, shift from 1st to 2nd is a little rough, feels like drive lash/bump. 2nd to 3rd is the same way though not as pronounced. Shift into OD is fine. Downshifts aren't as pronounced either, but you can still feel it. There's no tranny slippage and the oil is well used, but nicely red and somewhat sweet smelling. No metallic floaties or smell.
So I'm thinking U-joints because they are obviously well worn from a visual inspection with a healthy coating of rust on them. Do you folks agree with this diagnosis and if so, does the drive shaft have to go to a machine shop to get the bearings pressed in like on my Jeep Wrangler? Or can I do them in the driveway?
I've got a pretty good selection of tools, pretty decent ability mechinically and a strong desire to do the work myself.
Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
-Tom
Putting the truck in gear gives a little bump. Then, when you go down the road, shift from 1st to 2nd is a little rough, feels like drive lash/bump. 2nd to 3rd is the same way though not as pronounced. Shift into OD is fine. Downshifts aren't as pronounced either, but you can still feel it. There's no tranny slippage and the oil is well used, but nicely red and somewhat sweet smelling. No metallic floaties or smell.
So I'm thinking U-joints because they are obviously well worn from a visual inspection with a healthy coating of rust on them. Do you folks agree with this diagnosis and if so, does the drive shaft have to go to a machine shop to get the bearings pressed in like on my Jeep Wrangler? Or can I do them in the driveway?
I've got a pretty good selection of tools, pretty decent ability mechinically and a strong desire to do the work myself.
Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
-Tom
Record Breaker
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 2
From: Canada
RE: Drive line lash
in reverse is it a loudish clunk? sometimes you can hear it, then definately ujoints.
when you get them replaced, be sure they have ones with the greasenipple on them.. and take a look at your steadybearings at the same time while the axle is off.
I would recommend going to a shop for them to be replaced. after watching the guy fight and fight with mine for awhile, im glad i didnt rip it out in the driveway and try doing it myself.
when you get them replaced, be sure they have ones with the greasenipple on them.. and take a look at your steadybearings at the same time while the axle is off.
I would recommend going to a shop for them to be replaced. after watching the guy fight and fight with mine for awhile, im glad i didnt rip it out in the driveway and try doing it myself.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 35
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From:
RE: Drive line lash
Yes, reverse does give a good clunk as well. I'll go with the U-Joints. Since I got this truck mainly for twoing my boat, I don't want totake any chances with them anyway. I've also got some brake work to do on this truck. It sat for a longish period a couple years ago and the front rotor are pitted bad enough to need replacement. It affects the braking a bit, so will probably pull the drive shaft and take it somewhere to have the U-Joints replaced and do the brakes while waiting for that to come back.
Thanks for you input folks!
Thanks for you input folks!
All Star
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 994
Likes: 1
From: Belle Plaine, Minnesota
RE: Drive line lash
Good idea to take it somewhere else for the u-joints. In my younger days I replaced them in my driveway, but now I choose my battles, and changing u-joints is a battle I choose not to have. Let someone with a hydraulic press have the fun. It's worth it in saving bruised knuckles and a sore throat from yelling.
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Record Breaker
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,056
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From: North Dakota
RE: Drive line lash
ORIGINAL: Quakindude
Hello all. New guy here. I just got a 1996 1500 4x4 with atuo trans and 5.9L engine. 94k miles. I think I already know the answer to this question, u-joints, but would like to get your opinions since you've owned these trucks linger than I have.
Putting the truck in gear gives a little bump. Then, when you go down the road, shift from 1st to 2nd is a little rough, feels like drive lash/bump. 2nd to 3rd is the same way though not as pronounced. Shift into OD is fine. Downshifts aren't as pronounced either, but you can still feel it. There's no tranny slippage and the oil is well used, but nicely red and somewhat sweet smelling. No metallic floaties or smell.
So I'm thinking U-joints because they are obviously well worn from a visual inspection with a healthy coating of rust on them. Do you folks agree with this diagnosis and if so, does the drive shaft have to go to a machine shop to get the bearings pressed in like on my Jeep Wrangler? Or can I do them in the driveway?
I've got a pretty good selection of tools, pretty decent ability mechinically and a strong desire to do the work myself.
Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
-Tom
Hello all. New guy here. I just got a 1996 1500 4x4 with atuo trans and 5.9L engine. 94k miles. I think I already know the answer to this question, u-joints, but would like to get your opinions since you've owned these trucks linger than I have.
Putting the truck in gear gives a little bump. Then, when you go down the road, shift from 1st to 2nd is a little rough, feels like drive lash/bump. 2nd to 3rd is the same way though not as pronounced. Shift into OD is fine. Downshifts aren't as pronounced either, but you can still feel it. There's no tranny slippage and the oil is well used, but nicely red and somewhat sweet smelling. No metallic floaties or smell.
So I'm thinking U-joints because they are obviously well worn from a visual inspection with a healthy coating of rust on them. Do you folks agree with this diagnosis and if so, does the drive shaft have to go to a machine shop to get the bearings pressed in like on my Jeep Wrangler? Or can I do them in the driveway?
I've got a pretty good selection of tools, pretty decent ability mechinically and a strong desire to do the work myself.
Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated.
-Tom
Pretty good bump shifting into reverse, bump/clunk between 2nd and 3rd, I personallyknow of 3 Rams that do this, 2 are 98's and ones a 99'. One of these three trucks is mine, the other two are my hunting buddies. I've hadmine to 3 different shops, each one couldnt find anything wrong with it.As for their trucks,they've been told its normal. It hasdone it for 50k miles since i bought the truck, never given any problems, theirs have done it for as long as they could remember. I've accepted it as "normal,"as have they.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 35
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From:
RE: Drive line lash
Thanks for the reply. I've bought the U-Joints for $20 each and will have a shop replace them for $40 when I take the truck in to have the Converter and exhaust replaced. It's so cheap to have it done I may as well rule those out. If it still does it after the U-Joints and I check out the rear diff, I'll chalk it up to the the truck's normal behavior.
