i have a 96 1500 with the 5.9 gas.
well since iv had my truck iv allways had a low rpm rattle, it happens mainly when im in reverse and i ease onto the gas it also happens when im in drive but not as much as when im in reverse. it only happens within 1100 to 1500 or around there. yall have any ideas?

 

Its probably the little heat shield thing under the pass side exhaust manifold.

The noise you are describing matches perfectly with a noise I had a couple of weeks ago. That's what it was.

 

well i checked what you said to check and it wasnt loose or anything. so i looked around a bit and nothing seems to be making the rattle on the outside. so yall have any more ideas? ooo and by the way i was mistaken at what rpms it occurs at which is 750 to 1000 and then it stops, it also only happens when im starting from a dead stop.

 

could also be caused by a broken spot weld
on the heat shield of the catalytic converter ... very common

also check the plastic rivets that hold the plastic splash guards of the front wheel fenders

for a 1996 model year with large mileage
it could also be a very loose engine timing chain

a special tool for tracking down noise sources

http://www.etoolcart.com/Steelman-Ch...s-STE6600.aspx

less expensive version

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=95653

some of the 1996 Ram TSB's refer to noises

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1996-index.htm

 

like hank said the catalytic converter, converter is one of the problem's with these earlyer 2nd rams.... i also belive that was a recall on the cat 96-01 but not on the 94-95but i would check the cat frist... and also if it's the cat it maybe the heat shield(hank) it a easy fix, but it maybe inside of the cat not as easy..... like said if its the cat, check the recall with a dearship to if you can get a new.. with the recall i'm not sure if there a cut off........... thats my two cents, good luck with the truck.

 

any ideas on where to find recall information?

 

just found out that i have 2 recalls on my truck, but neither one is the cats =( o well. but one is the vapor cannister and the other is the ignition switch so im going to get those done i guess. damn o well im out of luck on the cats they only extended the warrenty they didnt do a recall unlesss someone can prove me wrong. it was extended to 10 yrs or 120k and mine is a 96 so its not in warranty anymore. how lame....

better explanation here https://dodgeforum.com/forum/showthr...t=47398&page=2

 

this not what i was looking for but.
http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...ler-usat_x.htm

Under the settlement with the EPA and Justice, DaimlerChrysler agreed to:

• Extend the warranty on the catalytic converters on about 700,000 of the vehicles, and notify owners of another 300,000 about the catalytic converter problem, which will be covered under the original emissions warranty.

• Recall about 500,000 of the vehicles to fix a defect in their diagnostic systems and to check the catalytic converters.

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen-ram-tech/43329-chrysler-admits-catalytic-converters-bad-1996-2001-a.html

still can't fing what i'm looking for

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2005/11-006-05.htm
NOTE: The Original Design Catalytic Converter warranty has been extended to 10 years/120,000 miles

sorry guys i can find what i'm looking..... i'm not one of those guy that say dumb things and can't back them up..i alway back up my stuff and don't post if i don't have good info or ideals..... this is the frist time i can't find what i want... sorry if i got your hopes up..... i think i'm just having a bad week, my truck isn't doing good so i'm not... sorry again... if i do find what i'm looking for i will let you know.

 

Not to sound like I'm repeating what others have said, but i had the EXACT same noise for a month....couldnt trace it, and it was so loud i thought it might have been my 4 wheel drive. Finally my neighbor thought it might be the cat, and when we went to take a look (cause when the cats cold youll hear it rattle if u give it a shake), it rattled, but then we saw the heat shield around it was loose and leaning on it, and not only was it loose but it had separated into two pieces!!! I drove in all new self tapping screws and the noise is gone...easy fix but god was it hard to find.

 

hey dodge ram 07 no worries bro if it wasnt for you i wouldnt have found out about the 2 oher recalls on my truck so thanks man. going to get them taken care of soon I hope. I hate going without my truck for 1 day much less 2 o well.

ill look at that heat sheild magnum, i do know the spot weld on farthest back heat shield is cracked but i know thats not where the sound is coming from just cause its to far away.


another question i have is if a piece of the ceramic in the cat is broke what damages can occur. i know that it would affect mpg a little and my smog but is that it or is there anything extra that i should know about?