So a few months ago i noticed that it was taking almost 30 seconds of driving around for my 4 wheel drive lock in. So i figured the acctuator. I do alot of 4 wheeling and neglected to change it cause i didnt have the money. So this week end when i went 4x4ing it semmed like the 4x4 locked. So i started driving and it kicked out. But when it kicked out it like poped and sounded like something broke, i checked axle joint and front drive shaft and they were still togeather It would not go in no matter what i did. So i got on it, and this is in a field, and at about 30mph the light started to come and it enganged but as soon as i slowed down the light when off. But when the 4x4 was engaging, it was grinding and making some bad noises.
So i countined to mess around with it then all of a sudden the ligh came on and it egaged, and it stayed engaged all day. At the end of the day i lined up against some explorer to race him, only like 300 ft. So we raced in this field only about 300ft and it left in 4x4 (i smoked him it was a 4.0 with 35s on it) but it started grinding and poping again. I got under the truck and the front drive shaft u joint it just about to break. Could this be my problem?

 

You need to check the vacuum at the CAD. http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/..._engagment.htm

 

Ok i will and go from there.

 

i agree with zman...if you have a vacuum issue with the CAD, then you will have problems engaging/disengaging the 4wd...also, check the vacuum "switch" located on the transfer case...you could have similar problems if it is clogged...if it is clogged, then just blow some compressed air through it to clean out any debris