hey can someone diagnose this for me? i have a 01 ram 1500 4 wheel drive standard shift 5 speed. when i let off the gas in any gear there is a grinding noise. not too terrible but noticeable. no noise when i push in the clutch and shifts easily. anyone got an idea?

 

welcome to df.
does it seem to come from transmission/t-case area under your seat, or from the rear axle.

is it a horrible grinding, or more of a roaring, growling, howling noise.

if its a grinding, and from under your seat, look for broken rear snap ring on the t-case.
somewhere there is a DIY with pictures for the tcase saver that shows the removal of drive shaft, then the 3 or 4 bolt extension housing, and then a picture of the snap ring that likes to break, and allow the t-case shaft to move.

here's pic and how to get to the snap ring.
http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_cata...ml#Application


http://www.quad4x4.com/qk2069.html

 

Does it make the sound while idling in neutral with the clutch out?

 

no noise unless deaccelerating. it isnt real bad nobody else notices but me. me because i know its the start of something bad. it has no noise when sitting at idle. i may be wrong but i dont think its the differential or drive shaft. when you gas into it the noise disappears and when you coast at idle with clutch in it doesnt make a sound. only when in gear and riding the gear down or maintaining slow speed.

 

here's the t-case snap ring link i was looking for
http://www.drivetrain.com/parts_cata...ml#Application

a bad pinion bearing (or pinion) will make one roaring sound on acceleration and a different roar/howl on decel.

 

Its your throw out bearing.
It's under load when your press clutch pedal, therefore not making any noise.
Separate your tranny and engine to change it.
Part is cheap, lots of labor.