Hi guys, I drive a 2001 ram 1500 5.2L RWD automatic transmission. I was just up under my hood searching for this small ticking sound with the engine running, which has since gone away after a much needed oil change. I happen to notice my crank pulley was wobbling quite a bit. I’ve heard this can be a type of optical illusion. I’ve disconnected the belt and there’s no play or anything. Maybe I need a new belt and tensioner? I was thinking about swapping to the JETS under drive pulley kit. Any suggestions and or help is greatly appreciated. Here’s everything so far. This is my dads truck, a hand me down that im gonna fix up in his sake 😁

Build progress List
- Flowmaster super 44. 3in to 2.5in dual pipe rear exit
- K&N Cold air intake
- Edelbrock 180° stat
- She got some royal purple high mileage 10W30
- New distributor, rotor, wires, and NGK Platinum plugs
- New windshield wipers
- eBay crystal style headlights (installing soon, not LED)

 

Damper? They do fail on these engines

 

Sounds like the rubber of the harmonic balancer is failing. As mentioned, this is a very common issue on these older motors. You can purchase a new balancer or have the old one rebuilt. If you opt for a rebuild, these folks can handle it - https://www.damperdoctor.com/

 

I’d like to replace it, and add performance or support. I’m curious about under drive pulleys or suggestions for a replacement that’s better than OE or similar. I can’t find any for 2001 models

 

Does yours have the pulley made onto the front of the balancer? As an FYI, when the damper doctor rebuild a damper for me several years ago, they replaced the rubber with an injected substance that was better than rubber and lasted darn near forever.

 

It’s behind the pulley
I can replace both of them. I’m going to eventually anyway.

I have no idea how this is assembled. I’m fairly new to working on cars and trucks. I’m having a lot of fun doing so.

I don’t think the pulley and damper are together as one. My damper is somewhat far behind it. If that makes sense. I’m currently at work or I’d be able to show a better picture. The picture provided was a screenshot from a video.

 

I planned on swapping these out along with some other pulleys. A under drive kit, new tensioner and idler with a new belt. I was going to purchase a summit facing damper. I think it’s this one.

Damper I looked at.

The under drive kit I looked at.

 

Hard to say for sure based on that photo, but I'm thinking of the 5.9 which uses different dampers than the 5.2. Rockauto.com sells several for the 5.2 motor.

Lastly, is there any real benefit to the underdrive puller for a non-booster engine?

 

yeah my apologies, I can’t get a better photo right at the moment.

 

Honestly I’m not sure lol. I just did a bunch of reading and searching around and seen that under drive takes load off the engine. Recovering some HP. Very small gains. Kinda what I did with the cold air intake… not many gains.. it looks cool and the induction sounds are sick.. but, I’m going to just replace them with the ones from rock auto 😁 I completely forgot rock auto was a thing 💡