Ok,

I just got my truck back from the "improper backlash." However, there is still the bang sound when i let off the brake in reverse or drive from a dead stop (most notable on an incline and does not happen all the time). Thinking it is a Ujoint somewhere. Sounds like it is coming from the area near the front wheels.

ON TO THE TRANNY ISSUE:

BUT, I noticed, just now, that there is a big thud when shifting. Does that mean the bands need adjusting? I did a drain and fill about 8K ago but did not touch the bands because I didn't want to mess anything up, seeing as i have an el cheapo torque wrench.

The truck has 54K miles. I thought that a tranny rebuild would not happen for another 20K miles.

My 1996 used to do that all the time, but this is the first that this truck has been doing it.
Is it that my truck is finally becoming a true 2ndgen?
--Dan

 

For the bang, I would look at all the front suspension bushings. Sounds like the front diff is shifting (moving) when you let off the brakes.....

With 54K, you shouldn't need to adjust the bands... unless you tow/haul a LOT. Can you tell where the noise is coming from? Does the trans seem to hit the gears hard? Wonder if it would be as simple as a TV cable adjustment.....

 

it seems like a hard hit into the gears, but the shift motion is smooth. My 1996 required "chinup force" to shift from park to reverse/drive sometimes, but my 2001 shifts very easy. About towing, I don't tow a lot. i have done towing twice (moving) since I bought it and the prev owner was a truck yuppie (bought it in 2000 and had 42K by 2008).

I agree about about the bushings! it does seem like the bang is caused by some "play" that is somewhere (I was thinking U-joints), so the bushing thing and dif shifting is a good culprit. Sometimes you forget that no matter what mileage...the truck is still 10+ years old.

too bad bushings are not covered under warranty. I wonder how bad of a job that would be by myself.

thanks a lot Hey you!!! i knew if a thread had 0 replies long enough you would post SOMETHING sooner or later!!!

Much appreciated!

 

Maybe, maybe, could be a check ball in the channel plate is pushed through or deformed.

 

Or maybe the snap ring on the output shaft for the clunk.

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/1999/T3-EL-399.htm

Or as simple as a lower shock bolt is loose.