i have a 2001 dodge ram 1500 5.2L 4x4 and for some reason when i engage into 4wd the steering gets super stiff and when i make a turn a loud sound happens and seems like if i continue to turn sharper something is bound to break off!!!

the 4wd does engage thank god....




I already put tons of money and not afraid to continue at this point...

i just want everything to work....

thanks for your time.

 

Is that on dry pavement? Or other high traction surface? Then 4wd IS working, and if you do that too often, you WILL break something. 4wd is for low traction surfaces ONLY. (dirt roads, and the like) What you describe is perfectly normal.

Welcome to DF!

 

last time i checked it was on pavement.....
but im sure it happened on sand before but im going to have to verify that...

 

Ujoints are frozen (rusted). Happened to me when my truck was only couple years old. Happened to park where it puddled when it rained and rusted one cap of the driver's side ujoint. Only made noise in 4wd. Use only Spicer 5-760x. You can get them online or at axle shops (not parts stores!).

 

Usually the needle bearings disintegrate and are missing. X2 on the spicers!!! Don't even waste your time with the part stores. They sell junk and will have to do the job over again.

 

Spicers last the longest but you will have to do them again eventually. I have considered greaseable joints but they are weaker. For me, every five years or so is the timeframe for Spicer joints. On my 4th set at 178k and have a new pair waiting on the shelf.