I just traded for a 96 ram 4x4 laramie. I have always wanted this truck and finally got it. Anyways i home after picking up the truck and the next morning when i went outside there is oil stain on driveway. The oil is leaking from the rear of the oil pan then is running down the trans cover and on the ground. I have read on here about replacing the oil pump and all if you remove the pan so i will do that my only question is how do i know if it is the oil pan gasket leaking or the rear main? Thanks for any help. oh and it doesn't burn any oil at all just dripping some.

 

replace both, cheap insurance. good article on the rear main at pavementsucks.com under the tech section.

 

First I'd try tightening the bolts just a little.

 

on a 96 (12 years old) with probably a bunch of miles, leaking at the very back center, its going to be the rear main. its actually reasonably easy to change, w/o pulling the motor. remove starter, dust plate, oil pan, oil pump, loosen crank, replace.
see pavement sucks, also squirrels posts, also mine.
sorry the search doesn't work here, this post probably won't go either.

 

sounds good i will give it a try this weekend and let you know how it goes. Thanks for the help

 

went to the website and printed off the info for the rear main. only question i still have is how hard is it to get the oil pump driveshaft lined back up? Never delt with that engine part before. thanks.

 

just wanted to say thanks for the help guys i got it done in about 3hrs yesterday and now no more oil leak. went just like the instructions off of pavement sucks. thanks for the help guys.

 

ahhhh good. another satisfied customer.