Alrighty, so - My truck has become a little more of a daily driver this winter. Any storm where I know I can't make the 100 mile round trip commute to work in the Taurus, the RAM comes out to play. At least 50% of my trip is back roads, significant hills, and areas that the towns don't bother plowing. The other half is highway.

About a month or so ago, we had a nasty storm where I was in 4x4 the majority of the trip home - 25mph on the highway, no less. About 75% of the way home, I got into an area where I could "safely" increase my speed to about 45mph. That's when the truck started kicking a little. I'd get a kick, the 4x4 light would go out, then come back on a second later. This happened a few more times, before I put her back in 2x4. We made it home, using 4x4 selectively.

The next storm, no problems.

Two days ago, I commuted in the truck again. 2x4 is always fine, no complaints from the truck. This time, on the way home over the groomed snowmobile trail that they called the "highway", it started doing it's little kicking thing again. Then it did something new! I'd kick it into 4x4, and get a front end vibration. Similar in feeling to when you've got a wheel really out of balance - but instead of being an unbalanced vibration, it felt balanced across the front end - like both wheels were unbalanced exactly the same. The feeling was only in the front end of the truck, and promptly stopped when I put it back in 2x4.

I've been working too many hours, and balancing projects around the house with a newborn (read: not getting ANYTHING done around the house), so getting under the truck in the middle of January hasn't happened like it should have. The Great-Nor'easter-of-Doom, tonight through Wednesday, is projected to dump somewhere between 24" and Total Annihilation in my area, so I'd love to feel a little better about the health of my 4WD system.

Thoughts, suggestions, good jokes?

Thanks guys!

 

Well, it's gonna involve laying under your truck in the snow..... do you at least have someplace where you can work on it inside????

Inspect ALL of the front suspension components. U-joints, steering, ball joints, etc. Also check that the vacuum connector at the cad isn't a tad loose. I just used zip ties on mine, to seal them up a bit better, and a lot of my 4x4 problems went away.

Wouldn't be surprised if the front u-joint on the driveshaft wasn't getting ready to abandon truck though.

 

It sounds like your CAD is confused on engage/disengage. If you don't know, that is Central Axle Disconnect. The passenger side of the axle tube has some stuff. A plate and an actuator to slide the collar over the mid and outer shaft. This is how the front axle becomes engaged.... The collar or fork moves by vacuum though. It must have vac to hold it over for 2wd and then also to engage for 4wd.

The vac lines go from the CAD up to the passenger frame rail, back to crossmember to the transfer case. Those lines are relatively easy to check if there is a leak. Additionally, check any lines up in the engine bay. Passenger side of the intake manifold is where it starts. One line goes to the HVAC, which also could be acting up for you. Other goes down the back of the motor along top of tranny to the go to Tcase.

What it looks like top of tcase for the vac lines.



So this might be the cause of your kicking.

 

Oh man, you say the sweetest things! Our one car garage is currently occupied by my wife's car - it might disappear under the snow if we leave it outside tonight. Guess I'll just have to move it back into the driveway, and tie one of those orange plowing stakes to the antenna!

 

Thanks Wh1t3Nukle! Including that pic was awesome.

 

Here's at the CAD.




Additionally, like HeyYou said could also be ujoint related. Cap(s) crack, break, etc. Look good and close.

 

Hey guys - just wanted you to know that I didn't forget about you! Left for Florida shortly after this post, and haven't had a chance to get under the truck since then. I've been using the 4WD conservatively since getting back, when crap weather requires, and it seems to be behaving itself now. If the season keeps up this way, I won't get under the truck (unless it breaks) until the snow melts! -8* here right now, with 40mph winds... The gas fireplace I have in the garage just can't keep up! I surrender, Winter, you can f*ck off now.

 

Now there is a sentiment I can understand. Heading toward -11 for the low tonight. It *might* get above zero tomorrow...... maybe.