Hello again!

I have a 99 ram 1500 that just recently started making a lovely whining/pulsating noise above 50mph. Ive read several threads on similar topics and I believe I have narrowed the noise down to the Tcase or the Rear End. Under load I really dont notice the noise unless I'm going about 80mph. I really feel the noise and vibrations when I apply very little gas and then let up off the gas entirely. Sometimes it feels like the source comes from the tcase and other times it feels like the rear. I replaced the diff fluids a couple months ago and didnt find any metal shavings, driveshaft u joints feel real tight, and my tcase has leaked since I got it last winter (it could be low on fluid, will check when im out of work) Also, when traveling above 70mph or so I believe there is a light clanking/rattling sound, which is hard to tell where its coming from. All of which is hard to diagnose with a loud exhaust!! Thanks for reading my long *** post!

 

Drop the rear driveshaft, pull the tailhousing off the t-case, and check the snap-ring that holds the output shaft in place. They are notorious for abandoning shaft.

Do you have the limited slip rear diff??

 

I will give that a shot! Honestly I was planning on getting a tcase from jb conversions eventually, the tcase in there now was a cheap used unit I bought last winter just to get me through when my old one died.. I just wanna make sure its the tcase thats crapping out first.

Yes I have limited slip, I added the required fluid when I serviced the rear end..

 

Check u-joints while you have the shaft out.

Check fluid level in the rear again too. (I took out a rear because I filled it, and ignored it for a few days afterwards...... after fluid distributed itself around, there just wasn't enough.... Oooops.)

 

Thanks for the tip, HeyYou! I didn't have time to pull the shaft yet, but I checked the tcase, front and rear diff fluid levels and everything looks good! The front diff was a little low, but nothing serious. What was weird was when I opened up the tcase fill hole about a quart of atf came spewing out! Didnt think I needed a oil pan I did visually inspect the U joints and gave the driveshaft a good tug on both ends, there appears to be no slack. The tcase itself had a little bit of movement when I gave it a tug, is that normal for the tcase to have some flex? When I tried to actuate 4x4 it seemed a bit noisier than it should be.. I also read a pinion bearing could be the cause of the rear end noise ive been experiencing, do you believe that could be true?

 

Pinion bearings can certainly make some noise when they are considering failing. Usually the seal will start leaking when the bearing is really bad.

Driveshaft should rotate a bit with the t-case, but there should be any other slop. If there is, might be time to replace the bushing in the tailhousing while you have it off, looking at the snap-ring.

Really need to have a look at that snap-ring.

 

HeyYou! Since your the only one who helped me out with this one, I guess you the only one who gets to know the culprit. Turns out the T-case is in good shape (surprisingly), a llocally trusted shop was avle to pinpoint the pinion bearing as the problem, along with frozen ujoints! Sounds like it might be time to upgrade to 4.10s From the way my 4x4 sounds my front driveshaft needs a rebuild as well, thanks for the help!!

 

Coolness. Yeah, the joints in my front shaft were sloppy/sloppy/frozen....... and holy smoke did it make some RUDE noises in 4 wheel drive.

If you have a 4x4, need to do gears in both ends if you decide to go that route.