hey everyone im new to the forum and have a question about my 2001 ram 1500. it has the 5.2 litre 318, auto trans, 2wd

Ive been having a whinning noise coming from my truck for a few weeks now and it needs to be resolved. the noise is noticable from around 20 mph and gets worse up until 65 or 70 mph and goes quite. it is loudest when there is higher load on the truck and when stepping on the accelerator and noise reduces when coasting. it happens on all road surfaces during all conditions.

any help would be greatly appriciated. thanks

 

Does it almost sound as if you have a supercharger?

 

Is it coming from under the hood or from the transmission or...the wheels?

If it's from under the hood check the belt for wear and pulleys for any noises. Check the belt tensioner, make sure the belt is tight. Gates (or some other serpentine belt maker, don't remember) uploaded videos on youtube about diagnosing those problems.

Did you have transmission work done recently?
If it's at the transmission, check the fluid level and quality (should not smell burnt).
If it's okay, and you're sure the noise is at the transmission, drop the pan and take a look inside. If you got big metal shavings in there and your gears are worn up, your probably looking at some tranny work.
Also check out the torque converter. They like to whine sometimes.

If the noise is from the wheels, jack up the truck inspect you're brakes including the rotor and the hub/bearing assembly.

 

I know I had an annoying whinning noise coming from the engine a while ago, with the same symptoms you are having. At first I thought the gasket between the throttle body and kegger was blown....but I was wrong and it was fine....But I also noticed that the gasket between air box and TB was missing..just straight missing as it wasnt there at all...put a new one in and the squealing is gone. So check that the gasket between your air box and TB is still there.

 

Sounds like the same problem I have on my 01, I think its my pinion bearings. I got the master kit for the diff and I am also going to do wheel bearings and breaks. I just hope after installing the new bearings, if i dont change the crush sleeve that i wont have to re-setup the backlash and all...

 

Got gear oil in the differential? They'll whine like mad when they're empty. Until they go pop, anyway.

 

Not replacing the crush sleeve might lead to some very expensive repair work.

 

Sound like the rear end, Check your lube....I would have to agree with haXer unfortunately.

 

if it is your rear end just try doing a diff fluid change....and check if you have the lsd, if you do you need to get an additive to put in the fluid

also no one has mentioned when you check the tranny fluid make sure it is RUNNING and in NEUTRAL....PARK WILL NOT give you an accurate reading. when i bought my truck, i checked it in park, showed it was full...then later that day i joined here saw that i needed to check in neutral, and found it was almost 3 quarts low

and theres a check ball...its in one of your transmission lines (the line that goes into the radiator on pass. side)...theres a ball that gets gunked and can clog the line...get rid of it, put a straight flow piece in. search "Check Valve delete" in the DIY section

 

stop, toss it in neutral and rev it up does it do it? That will eliminate the t-case, rear and front end..