I just got my 98 Dodge Ram 1500 5.2L 4x4 last week and love it! the only issue im having is if i turn the wheel all the way i can hear a real bad metal rubbing noise, the tire size isnt stock its 285/75/15 idk if that is the issue but love the height from them. Also today when pulling out of a driveway its a little steep but not really i accelerated and it kinna sputtered and popped then it finally went. hasent done it again all day so not sure what happened but after that my gas milage seems worse, but engine doesnt run any different. Also last thing sorry to be a pain but ive owned chevy my whole life and just finally went dodge is i hear so many bad things now about tranny and i noticed mine acts funny the guy i got it from said it has trouble getting in 2nd when it is real cold outside and it just seems to shift weird no grinding noise tho. was told just need to replace some kind of solenoid not sure tho. Thanks for looking!

 

Read the plenum thread at the top of the 2nd Gen Section

Crawl under the truck and have a buddy steer and look for anything touching or rubbing that shouldn't be. Check for rub spots on the control arm...

Check the transmission fluid level, need to be at normal operating temp and trans in "N".

 

Drop the tranny pan and see whats in it. The solenoid you want to replace is with one of these, http://www.doghousediesel.com/catalog/i307.html also available at a descent local tranny shop. I suggest you also look in the FAQ/DIY section and do the check valve delete.

And a drain plug is also a smart addition. B&M plug is what I suggest.

 

alright thanks for advice guys ill take a look when i get chance and then reply with an update.

 

Okay talking with a mechanic he isnt being much help and just barly looked at yet et alone drove it and just told me to get the rebuild but i really dont think it needs one. But driving down road today i was driving like a grandma to try and "save gas" in the ciry and noticed the rpms were going up but truck wasnt going very fast, so i let up gave it gas again and she went. I dont wanna tear into this and buy something i dont need to. Maybe ill try and get a video if it will help.

 

Need to follow zmans advice and drop the pan and see what's floating around in there, if anything, and how much crap is on the magnet.

Replace sensors as suggested.

 

+1. And check the fluid level as mentioned above before you do some damage to it. Also, check the TV cable adjustment.

You can download the service manual in the FAQ/DIY section as well. It will come in handy.

 

I second that. No more than a teaspoon of metal if it has been a long time since tranny fluid and filter was changed. Really you shouldn't see even a teaspoon, but that is acceptable for real abuse. Check sensors though. Also if a band is worn it will kick/jerk at ya.

 

Alright thanks guy i changed it all out shifts a little smoother didnt replace solenoid tho, but seems fine, only thing left is it shifts hard from park to drive and reverse and was told because at idle the rpms are about 1000 to 800 and apparently that isnt normal? sorry to be such a pain here haha never owned a dodge and only 19 so havent really had much experience with mechanics.

 

Yes that is correct. Idling at 100-800 is too high, which would cause it to shift hard into reverse. Just check the shifter cable to see if it is worn though, cause sometimes it can be that too. As for idling too high, I would replace the IAC (Idle Air Control), I believe it is on the back of the throttle body. If the IAC is bad, it will idle either too high or too low. Hope this helps!