When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
2nd Gen Ram Tech1994-2001 Rams: This section is for TECHNICAL discussions only, that involve the 1994 through 2001 Rams. For any non-tech discussions, please direct your attention to the "General discussion/NON-tech" sub sections.
Does it make the sound with the wheels slightly turned it at full lock?
It makes the noise/vibration anytime the steering is not straight forward, and the front driveshaft is still out. Its noticeable in forward, but its really bad in reverse.
I bought some mopar limited slip additive (4oz) and put that in the rear differential, just did some figure 8s and no change.
Figured out the Dorman 4x4 vacuum actuator issue. The shaft is either off center a little, or is too big. I drilled out my housing bore where the small end travels, by 1/64th, and it works perfect now. I media blasted the rusty shield, put some paint on it, and put it back on. I found the part number (4506117), but no one had one. I'll keep an eye out for a decent one in the jyards next time I go.
I'm starting to suspect the power steering as the noise originator. I'm considering buying a reman pump, new hoses, and flushing out all the old fluid. See what happens. Steering box has some slop, maybe I should order a bluetop replacement. If I keep this up, I'm going to have a "new" truck.
It makes the noise/vibration anytime the steering is not straight forward, and the front driveshaft is still out. Its noticeable in forward, but its really bad in reverse.
I bought some mopar limited slip additive (4oz) and put that in the rear differential, just did some figure 8s and no change.
Figured out the Dorman 4x4 vacuum actuator issue. The shaft is either off center a little, or is too big. I drilled out my housing bore where the small end travels, by 1/64th, and it works perfect now. I media blasted the rusty shield, put some paint on it, and put it back on. I found the part number (4506117), but no one had one. I'll keep an eye out for a decent one in the jyards next time I go.
I'm starting to suspect the power steering as the noise originator. I'm considering buying a reman pump, new hoses, and flushing out all the old fluid. See what happens. Steering box has some slop, maybe I should order a bluetop replacement. If I keep this up, I'm going to have a "new" truck.
The only thing that is affected when the wheels turn are front axle, control arms, and steering linkage and trackbar. Your itinerary has to be in one of those, or more then one.
The only thing that is affected when the wheels turn are front axle, control arms, and steering linkage and trackbar. Your itinerary has to be in one of those, or more then one.
Perhaps its something I'm over looking. I would think if the spider gears were f'd up, I'd have the same problem forward and reverse. Its really noticeable in reverse, not really that much of a noise in forward. I'm holding off pulling the front cover to see if I see anything, I would probably just pay someone who has the right tools to do that job. I'm not real interested in investing in case spreaders and the specialized tools for that work.
I think I'm going to suspend working this problem. Finish up the odds/ends, take it for safety/emissions inspection. I'll have them align it and get another opinion while its in there.
I'll pull the right side fender off and replace the passenger side rocker this weekend. Put on the new door/fender, and call the body done.
No change in sound/vibration. Quick summary of what I did so far:
I pulled the front driveshaft to help eliminate components.
I replaced the left axle joint, put on a new left outer axle (due to rust), and pulled the right axle out to make sure the joint was good.
I had the wheel hubs out, they seemed fine and don't seem capable of making that sound/vibration.
Ensured that the CAD collar was not half contacting the middle axle; found there was a pin hole in the actuator housing - so I replaced that.
While I had the brakes off, I found that the rebuilt caliper manufacturer didn't grease the pin bores, and the pins were getting squeezed and tight. So I fixed that too.
When I got the truck, I pulled both the front and rear diff cover off, drained the fluid, and replaced with Mobil 75w140LS as just a maintenance item. And as extra insurance, even though the Mobil gear oil has the additive for the rear diff, I added 4oz of MoPar LS additive a couple of days ago and drove figure 8s to mix it in.
The noise/vibration is really is only there in reverse with the wheels slightly turned. It makes the same noise no matter how far to lock you go. Forward there is some, but not really much at all. If was like that in reverse, I wouldn't be chasing it.
Current suspects:
spider gears up front... but I think they would make the same noise in reverse and forward - that isn't happening. And if that is the case, I would have someone else work that.
LSD in rear is shot... if that is the case, I would have someone else work that. I would probably have a Detroit TrueTrac put in its place.
power steering box... its groaning a little and is a bit sloppy, so it probably needs to be replaced anyway - will probably replace with a BlueTop with all new hoses and a rebuilt pump.
Here is what you need to do, take a mental note of how loud the sound is. Put your front driveshaft back on and go somewhere where you can back up in 4wd if it gets louder it's up front. If it stays the same it's the rear gears. Steering box shouldn't do that, but I have seen wierder things
