Hello!

Looking for some help! Ive got a 99 ram 1500, 5.9 auto 4X4. My 4HI works flawlessly, 4LO is a different story. Went to engage it yesterday, and was surprised by a loud, constant grinding noise when trans is put in Reverse. Neutral and drive give me no noises, and it appears 4LO has engaged.

Am I looking at a new TCase in the near future? Wouldn't surprise me, its basically the only thing I havent replaced.

Thought I should mention, I have the cable actuated 4x4 Posi Lok system. No vacuum components So worth it BTW.

 

So... Just went to go use 4HI when I got stuck, heard a loud CLUNK.. Thought something broke, but it appears 4HI still works in Drive. Reverse feels weird though, it looks like the front left wheel is binding.. Looked like I have 3 wheel drive. Any thoughts?

 

You do have three while drive, but, only if you have a LSD in the rear. Front diff is open, so, power will be routed to the tire with the LEAST traction.

If you have a lotta miles on your truck, it's possible its just a stretched out chain in the t-case. Given your symptoms, wouldn't surprise me if that wasn't the case. Wouldn't hurt to have a close look at the shift linkage as well, and make sure there isn't excessive slop. Might not be completely engaged in 4 lo.

 

Have you looked at the snap ring in the tail housing of the trans? I'm thinking TC saver...

 

Gotcha on the 4HI. Makes perfect sense, cause I rechecked 4HI again and it's working perfectly.. Did give me a bit of a scare though. I do have LSD, so it makes sense that I was drifting a bit to one side while in Reverse. I got 110k on the truck, but I know my current tcase was taken from a junker a couple years ago.

Are 4LO and 4HI driven by two seperate chains? Just thought it was weird only 4LO grinds in reverse.

 

Nope, only one chain in the case. May want to try and localize the noise, and make sure it is indeed the t-case making the noise.

 

I'll look into that.. I would think it has to be the case though..