Hi,

I have a rattling noise comming from what seems to be the tranny. I have been told on google groups to check the bolts on the torque converter, i was looking online for a diagram of where the inspection placte on the tranny is, but all I could find was for regular 2wd trannies. Any idea where the inspection plate is on the 1999 Dodge ram 4x4 sport? It has a v8 5.9 l engine.

Also,, My water pump's bearing is kaput, need to replace it, I bought the shop manual for the truck online, the instructions in the DIY section say I have to remove the alternator.. then again that one might be a totally diffrent engine than mine, the instructions I have don't tell me to take out the alternator.

anywyas.

Im still learning auto mechanics and for all intensive purposes im fairly cluless , however I have friends that can supervise me, but dont know dodge specifics.


Thanks for any assistance :-) This is only my second post on this forum so I hope I posted this in the correct section.

Thanks!


Tim

 

Has your trans ever been rebuilt?? Does it rattle all the time or just after start up untill it warms? It is stops once warmed up it is the drain back valve which is the leading cause of trans failures do to it preventing the flow of trans fluid. Its a simple fix, remove it! The downfall is when you start the truck after sitting say overnight you will need to let it sit in neutral for about 20 seconds to circulate the fluid as the transmission do not pump when in park. As far as the water pump its pretty straight forward just make sure get a pump that uses uses a threaded pipe for the bypass hose and use plenty!! of thread tape or sealer on it as these are notorious to leak some.

 

2broke4smoke,

Nah, the rattling happens between 1500-2000 rpm when going on incline.. Kinda sounds like a can with some loose bolts rolling around. From all I have read, since ther are no other symptons, the likelyhood is the torque converter->flywheel bolts may be loose, or, Il have to get a new tranny eventually. Unsure if this is a rebuilt one. So right now im trying to see where that inspection plate is so I dont accidentaly unbolt something and drain the tranny fluid. ;-)

Tim

 

The purpose of removing the alternator is to remove the accesory bracket, which makes it very easy to remove the bypass hose (it takes barely any extra time, but makes it a lot easier). A very good how-to can be found: https://dodgeforum.com/m_224411/tm.htm, thanks to steve05ram360.

 

The inspection plate for the transmission is just a little piece of tin that bolts to the lower front of your transmisison. It is shaped somewhat like the grin of the Cheshire Cat in "Alice in Wonderland". Usually you remove two 12 mm bolts and the plate slides down and off. However, you may need to remove the starter to get to the bolts and plate. Think of the front of the tranny as a large circle where the top 3/4 of the circle mounts to the engine block. The bottom 1/4 does not mount to anything as it sticks below the engine block. The inspection plate is just a piece of tin that covers that bottom 1/4 of the circle and prevents rocks and crap from hitting your flywheel.

Hope this helps.

 

It could also be your catalytic converter rattling. Does it do it in neutral? If so, try to make the rattling noise while in neutral; then, have someone hold a short 2 x 4 against your catalytic converter to see if it stops rattling. (I just wore some heavy leather gloves and used my hand).

 

Not the Cat converter making the noise, Im thinkin it has to be a loose bolt. Idle engine was running fine ( untill ma water pump bearing broke). Im hopin its a loose bolt that needs tightening near the torque converter, Ill find out shortly, I sure duwana pay 2k for a new tranny :-/. Only thing is, im not a little guy and there aint too much room to work with under the truck :-(

 

Bumping this.. Since I have a question.. I crawled under the truck today and was looking for the inspection plate, I think I foudn it? is it right after where the oil plug/pan right? I see two bolts, and to the right I see the starter, but its gunky as heck, , not sure if I can take the "inspection plate" off without undoing both the starter( on the right) and where the tranny is bolted on the left to the block.. I see 4 bolts ( head is laying towards front and feet towards the back)

Am I on the right path here?

TYhanks!

-tim

 

You've got it, it has a slight notch in the very bottom to allow loose fluids to drip out if your tranny or rear main seal starts leaking.
I had to remove the starter on mine as the bolt that holds the starter on also holds the inspection plate in place.

 

sweet thats it then :-) thanks! You guys rock!!