Hi,
I'm new to the forums and I have a question. I have a 96' Ram 1500, 4x4 with a 5.9L engine. My problem is that when I'm driving I hear this grinding noise( like ice in a blender). I had the transfer case looked at and the guy said it was the chain. He supposedly fixed but two months later and the noise is still there. Does anybody know what it could be?

 

Is the noise continuous? Or does it only happen at certain times? ie: When the truck is cold? Warm? Turning? Going slow? Cruising down the highway? In 4wd?

 

It only happens during certain times. Usually when I'm driving from 40 to 70 MPH. Also once it starts it doesn't go away until I let go of the gas.

 

I'm having the same exact problem and it's only gotten worse. Now mine does the grinding noise all the time unless I have it in 4Hi then it's fine. Once I go over like 40 mpg in 2H it starts the noise and then doesn't stop unless I put in in 4Hi It's weird. I'm thinking I probably need a new transfer case but if anyone knows what this is please help.

 

Without knowing what the guy did to your transfer case and just supposing the t-case is fixed and ok, I would recommend looking at your vacuum motor on your front differential that connects the axles for 4wd operation. It may be walking enough [leaking vacuum motor or cracked fitting] to try to partially engage the splined coupler for 4wd causing the grinding or "ice blender" noise, when you let off the gas the vacuum increases and pulls it back where it should be for 2wd.Maybe your switch on the t-case that operates it is bad also. Just a thought.

 

No one has any thoughts, on this my problem keeps getting worse, but I'm at school and so I would really prefer my next trip to be to the mechanic, but I'd like to have some knowledge on teh subject if there is any...

 

Has anyone found the cause of this porblem? Also what gear oil goes in the front axle. I am getting ready to put my vaccuum motor back in the axle.

 

sounds like the t-case chain... i mean if you hear it when your cruising..but then engage the 4wheel drive inturn putting tension on the t-case chain and it stops...

maybe the dude that put it in messed it up or put a crappy one it

 

The grinding noise is coming from the front axle...I don't think it is the chain in the t-case. I think 94champ was more on the right track when he said:
"It may be walking enough [leaking vacuum motor or cracked fitting] to try to partially engage the splined coupler for 4wd causing the grinding or "ice blender" noise, when you let off the gas the vacuum increases and pulls it back where it should be for 2wd.Maybe your switch on the t-case that operates it is bad also".
I checked my vacuum motor and the lines and they appeared to be OK....The next thing I am going to try is the switch on the t-case.
Just wanted to see if the other guys who have this problem had the answer so I could stop guessing.

 

97Ram15004x4, any 80/90 gear oil will work for the front diff.