1997 Dodge Ram making a grinding noise in the front end gear when I hit a bump. I can shift into 4X4 wheel drive and back and it stops until the next bump. I have already changed the ball joints, wheel bearing, and axle joints. Any help would be great. Thinking it may be inside the differential, is there a place to get a diagram of what's inside it before I take it apart or do you have another idea. Thanks again.

 

Center Axle Disconnect maybe...

 

To find a picture/diagram just search " dodge dana 44" on google images. It's really easy to pop off the differential cover and take a look at whats in there. Gaskets can be bought at most any auto parts store to put it back on, or you can make your own with some silicone. Honestly i dont know much about differentials, but look for anything that doesnt seem like it should be there (water in the fluid, metal shavings, etc.).

 

I'm experiancing the same thing with my '01 1500. I can pull back on the 4WD lever a little and it will go away, it will not do it in 4WD, i'm thinking its something to do with where the stub staft meets the axle shaft. Any ideas?

 

verify the noise is indeed coming from the front axle. If you are hearing a grinding noise when NOT in 4wd, but, it goes away if you engage it...... gonna be either the spider gears in the front diff, or the t-case. axles are turning all the time anyway.

 

It sounds like a bad bearing when it does it. Is there a bearing between the stub shaft and axle shaft or is that a bushing?

 

You might have a vacuum leak, and when in 2wd the vacuum is not holding the shift fork in the proper position. Does your heat and cruise control work ? Check these links out. http://www.dodgeram.org/tech/repair/..._engagment.htm and https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ild-vents.html

 

Thanks ZMAN, thats something to check out, my heater is tempermental, not sure about cruise, I don't use it.

 

I use my CC once in a while just to see if I have a vacuum leak, LOL