Noise from drivers front...
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Amateur
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Ontario Canada
Noise from drivers front...
Hey all my first post here so I hope you all can help me out.
I bought a used Ram all was great until I tried the 4x4, engaged it and nothing worked, well it did stay in 2 wheel drive. After looking into it, the vacuum lines that go to the CAD where not connected. I went through the lines and ended up running new ones to the CAD. Good news 4x4 works! Bad news only worked well for a day lol...
I now have a noise, only when in 4 wheel drive from the front drivers side. I did some research and decided on the front u-joint being bad, replaced that and still the same. I investigated the front drive shaft and determined that it had greasable u-joints, so I greased them up and did a full drive train fluid change (Diff front and rear as well as the t-case). Still no change although things seem to be running much smoother.
If its the wheel bearing/hub, wouldn't the noise be there even if in 2 wheel drive?
Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated!
I bought a used Ram all was great until I tried the 4x4, engaged it and nothing worked, well it did stay in 2 wheel drive. After looking into it, the vacuum lines that go to the CAD where not connected. I went through the lines and ended up running new ones to the CAD. Good news 4x4 works! Bad news only worked well for a day lol...
I now have a noise, only when in 4 wheel drive from the front drivers side. I did some research and decided on the front u-joint being bad, replaced that and still the same. I investigated the front drive shaft and determined that it had greasable u-joints, so I greased them up and did a full drive train fluid change (Diff front and rear as well as the t-case). Still no change although things seem to be running much smoother.
If its the wheel bearing/hub, wouldn't the noise be there even if in 2 wheel drive?
Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated!
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 87,393
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From: Clayton MI
I would have a look at the internals of the cad. Careful though, those bolts like to break.... Check the collar, and the ends of the axles for burrs and such. Also, make sure you are getting good vacuum to the actuator. Inspect everything in there....
Posi-Lok makes a good alternative.
Posi-Lok makes a good alternative.
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Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Gainesville, Ga.
welcome to df.
describe the noise.
you are correct in that the front axle u-joints and front wheel bearings turn all the time in 2wd and 4wd, so any noise from them should be present in both. for front axle u-joints, grab it and twist back and forth. for wheel bearings, grab the top to the tire and shake it in/out with all your might. should be no play in either.
noise in 4wd only from drivers side is likely the front drive shaft (squeaking, clicking).
can you put it up on 4 jack stands and operate it with a buddy. be careful of moving parts.
describe the noise.
you are correct in that the front axle u-joints and front wheel bearings turn all the time in 2wd and 4wd, so any noise from them should be present in both. for front axle u-joints, grab it and twist back and forth. for wheel bearings, grab the top to the tire and shake it in/out with all your might. should be no play in either.
noise in 4wd only from drivers side is likely the front drive shaft (squeaking, clicking).
can you put it up on 4 jack stands and operate it with a buddy. be careful of moving parts.
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From: Ontario Canada
I had a chance today to take the truck out and do some further research lol... Here is what I can update:
- 4 wheel drive when engaged is noisy, both sides seem noisy and vibrate but my wife (passenger side) explains she can feel a vibration at her feet when in 4x4. I hear no clicking or squeaking at all just a vibration or running noise from that side...
- the drivers side sure sounds like a wheel bearing but it doesn't stop when turning the wheel either right or left while moving. The noise is always there as long as its in 4x4, 4x2 and it stops right away.
- The 4x4 indicator light switch (on the end of the CAD) was broken when I bought the truck I guess, I replaced it with a new one from NAPA and the light still doesnt come on. I have never seen the light work, so it could be the bulb, or someone in another post I read mentioned it plugged in up by the radiator, I do have a connector unplugged in that area, but I don't see where it plugs into...
Not sure what else I can add at this point, I did notice some slop in the drives side front u-joint before I replaced it but its all tight now. I can't move the drivers wheel at all by grabbing the top and bottom of the tire. I have yet to try the passenger side.
If my CAD/Actuator isnt engaging completely would that cause the vibration my wife feels and the general noise from the 4x4? (I am not opposed to the posi-lok cable upgrade/override) I know that it may cause the light not to work but I dont think it will be the cause of the drivers noise, its just pretty clear its something on that side of the truck. Maybe the front driveshaft ujoint, but I would have expected that to at least get better after greasing it. The noise sounds like a rubbing/ticking noise that gets faster as the truck increases speed and usually doesnt start to sound until the truck is moving say 20kph, or 12mph (thanks google!)
- 4 wheel drive when engaged is noisy, both sides seem noisy and vibrate but my wife (passenger side) explains she can feel a vibration at her feet when in 4x4. I hear no clicking or squeaking at all just a vibration or running noise from that side...
- the drivers side sure sounds like a wheel bearing but it doesn't stop when turning the wheel either right or left while moving. The noise is always there as long as its in 4x4, 4x2 and it stops right away.
- The 4x4 indicator light switch (on the end of the CAD) was broken when I bought the truck I guess, I replaced it with a new one from NAPA and the light still doesnt come on. I have never seen the light work, so it could be the bulb, or someone in another post I read mentioned it plugged in up by the radiator, I do have a connector unplugged in that area, but I don't see where it plugs into...
Not sure what else I can add at this point, I did notice some slop in the drives side front u-joint before I replaced it but its all tight now. I can't move the drivers wheel at all by grabbing the top and bottom of the tire. I have yet to try the passenger side.
If my CAD/Actuator isnt engaging completely would that cause the vibration my wife feels and the general noise from the 4x4? (I am not opposed to the posi-lok cable upgrade/override) I know that it may cause the light not to work but I dont think it will be the cause of the drivers noise, its just pretty clear its something on that side of the truck. Maybe the front driveshaft ujoint, but I would have expected that to at least get better after greasing it. The noise sounds like a rubbing/ticking noise that gets faster as the truck increases speed and usually doesnt start to sound until the truck is moving say 20kph, or 12mph (thanks google!)
Last edited by grover2044; Jan 1, 2013 at 06:45 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Clayton MI
Check the joints in the front driveshaft.
Posilok has provision for the 4wd lite in the dash. It just moves to the other side of the cad housing. (it comes with a new housing.)
You can unplug the switch, remove it from the cad housing, plug it back, and press it in, see if the lite in the dash works.
The collar not engaging all the way may give you the vibration your wife is feeling.
Noise from drivers side only in 4wd may be carrier bearings. Check front diff fluid level. Might even pull the cover, and see if you find anything bad in there... (metal shavings, for instance.)
Posilok has provision for the 4wd lite in the dash. It just moves to the other side of the cad housing. (it comes with a new housing.)
You can unplug the switch, remove it from the cad housing, plug it back, and press it in, see if the lite in the dash works.
The collar not engaging all the way may give you the vibration your wife is feeling.
Noise from drivers side only in 4wd may be carrier bearings. Check front diff fluid level. Might even pull the cover, and see if you find anything bad in there... (metal shavings, for instance.)
Hall Of Fame
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 12,204
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From: Gainesville, Ga.
well, you have several concerns going on. i'll start with the easiest - 4wd indicator light in the dash. there is a 2 wire electrical connector on the end of the cad. if you unplug it and jumper one side to the other - it should turn the light on. i don't know if the wire is a 12v positive or negative. probably a ground, but assume its not and don't ground it to anything. once you get the light on the dash to work, as HEY said, you can remove the switch from the cad and manually press it to check the operation of the switch.
on the noise/vibration - i'm understanding that it does it only in 4wd and not 2wd, which makes me think its your front drive shaft.
on the noise/vibration - i'm understanding that it does it only in 4wd and not 2wd, which makes me think its your front drive shaft.
Professional
Joined: Nov 2012
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From: ledyard, CT
dosnt the front drive shaft spin in 2wd too... ^
if it only happens in 4x4 then its eather something in the t case or not likely but diff gears in front and rear axels...
if it only happens in 4x4 then its eather something in the t case or not likely but diff gears in front and rear axels...
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From: Ontario Canada
Thanks guys for the suggestions, I am going to try and get some time under the beast and see what I can find.
Is the 4x4 light not coming on a issue? I mean other than the obvious would it indicate that the collar/fork isn't moving far enough?
Couple of answers/comments on questions asked:
- Front Diff was just serviced, although the gear oil was quite old and dirty there was no shavings of any sort in there. The fluid is new and at the right level (all three fluids were just changed Front and Rear diff as well as t-case).
- Front driveshaft is what I was leaning towards as well for the cause of the noise, but I am not sure if it spins all the time or just in 4wd
I know I have a lot going on and I appreciate the help, first 4x4 truck I have owed and at this point feel like everything is wrong with it lol, but I am just trying to provide you all with all the information I have about it to help diagnose the problems.
Thanks all...
Is the 4x4 light not coming on a issue? I mean other than the obvious would it indicate that the collar/fork isn't moving far enough?
Couple of answers/comments on questions asked:
- Front Diff was just serviced, although the gear oil was quite old and dirty there was no shavings of any sort in there. The fluid is new and at the right level (all three fluids were just changed Front and Rear diff as well as t-case).
- Front driveshaft is what I was leaning towards as well for the cause of the noise, but I am not sure if it spins all the time or just in 4wd
I know I have a lot going on and I appreciate the help, first 4x4 truck I have owed and at this point feel like everything is wrong with it lol, but I am just trying to provide you all with all the information I have about it to help diagnose the problems.
Thanks all...
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Amateur
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Ontario Canada
Hey guys... Managed some time under the truck and I wasnt able to get the light to come on by jumping it. Could be the bulb I guess, but I didnt have time to take it apart and look...
The noise I am hearing is definetly from the front driveshaft, I guess its time to get the u-joint and the double one replaced. Its now clunking when I change from forward and reverse in 4wd as well, not in the rear though sounds like at the front driveshaft, that make sense?
The noise I am hearing is definetly from the front driveshaft, I guess its time to get the u-joint and the double one replaced. Its now clunking when I change from forward and reverse in 4wd as well, not in the rear though sounds like at the front driveshaft, that make sense?