Ok, i decided to replace the speedometer /drive gear inside the transfer case rear extension. well first off the u joints at both ends of rear drive shaft were shot. i mean its a wonder the driveshaft hadnt fallen out. next inside the transfer case extender and then retainer i see that the transfer case oil pump's got 2 tabs broken off and is very loose in there. The speedometer drive gear on the shaft looks perfect but i replace it anyway. my thinking is that the bad u joints (they were even worse on the front drive shaft!) were shaking things up and the driveshaft was not spinning true and broke the oil pump and making the vss read erradic. so i replaced the oil pump, speed drive gear, all the u joints. drove great with speedometer working perfect for about 2 miles. thats when a u joint cap on rear driveshaft came off. fixed that. now the speedometer is erratic again and im hearing and feeling a loud sort of grinding noise from underneath that comes for about 15-20 seconds then goes away, then comes back and goes away. any clue?

 

There should be a snap ring on the output shaft of the t-case, right behind the main bearing you see when you pull the tail housing. If its gone, it will allow the shaft and bearings to walk, and grind against other stuff they shouldn't, let it go too long, and carnage ensues. While you had it apart, did you see the snap ring?

 

Yes, the snap ring is in place. I should tell you this: When I replaced the transfer case's oil pump, I did not pull the transfer case. And I was able to connect the tube to the pump by finessing it in with a bent tool and i got it seated o-ring and all. But the service manual does not list the oil pump as being serviceable with the transfer case in the truck. So might i have a problem?

 

It's possible. Unfortunately, only way to know for sure, is to tear it down, and have a look......

 

Ok, so I finally got to pulling the transfer case to see whats going on in there. And low and behold there isn't a FRONT SPROCKET RETAINING
RING installed and no RANGE FORK RETAINGING RING installed! The last time this transfer case may have been worked on in the last 10 years
is when I had my transmission rebuilt a few years ago, but I dont think they got into the transfer case. So Anaheim Gear is having UPS bring me a
NP231 small parts kit today which has all the retaining snap rings i need for this transfer case. I spent all day yesterday cleaning the 2" thick grease and
grime off of the case etc...can't wait to get it put back together today and fill it up tomorrow and see how it runs. And this should take care of my speedometer
not working because the ABS and PARKING LIGHT are on and the RWAL SYSTEM FAULTS GENERATE CODES that can be pulled by grounding the diagnostic
connecter located underneath dash by the parking brake. My truck is giving a code 6 which the service manual says is "Erratic speed sensor reading while rolling".
Well with those retaining rings missing I'm sure things were running a bit erratic inside the case lol. So I've bought a new vehicle speed sensor, a new speedometer pinion gear, a new speedometer drive gear, all new u-joints for the front and rear driveshafts, etc...etc.... and all that didnt work. This had better be it. Just waiting for UPS now!

 

Should be fun. Can you post pics of your process?

And definitely let us know how things turn out.

 

no change. My speedometer still doesnt work not cruise control and the grinding/rumble at 30-40 mph is becoming more frequent. A lot more. One thing i did today was check the front diferential oil and there wasnt any but maybe a small dixie cup full. Lol. So i drained it, cleaned the sutfaces and filled it to level. Anyway thats where i am.

 

Then it has to be a wiring problem. Check all the connectors, make sure you don't have damaged wires, or pins.

 

i will do exactly that, thank you

 

I was just wondering if anybody knows what the exact name of the housing is that the cruise control speed sensor goes into on the side of 95 ram 1500 transmission is called. I've asked my local dealer but unfortunately if it does not involve a computer being hooked up to tell them they have zero clue. Sad that a dealership doesn't have a mechanic only people who know how to read a computer and nothing else. Not even the people working in the parts department could tell what it is. My issue is that I have transmission fluid leaking from inside the housing that attaches to the side of the transmission. It is not leaking at the transmission but rather where the sensor slides into the plastic housing. I've put new sensors in but that has not resolved the issue, I feel as thought the only thing that will fix it is a new housing but I am unable to find the housing itself. Any help be very appreciated.