I have a v8, dodge ram 1500-318, 1998 model and I have recently noticed a problem when I do a "u-turn" or any kind of sharp turn. My truck stops moving and the rpms rev just before jolting back into gear. It only does this when I turn sharply and never while driving on the highway or stop/go traffic. Could this be my tranny? Any help would be great!

 

welcome to DF!!!!!!

i wouldnt worry about that tranny first off... if its not acting any other time except turning then id start lookin else where first..

need some info from ya though..is it a 4X4? if so the front striaght axle uses u joints to let the front weels turn (obviously) if those u joints are bad then it could cause that poping in the steering like your mentioning... is your steering loose or sluggish? also if you have a 4X4 and if you ahve the front axle ingaged while turning sharply on a hard surface like pavemtn..itll pop like that.. if you ahve a 2X4 then im not sure what would cause that... if infact you do have a 4X4 then id get the axle ujoints looked at and make sure the CAD system isnt partially engaging the front driveshaft/ front axle part time causing to you be in 4X4 mode with out you knowing it..

i know when i have my truck in 4X and im on hard surface like pavement and trying to make a sharp turn ..itll pop like that really bad... making the turn radius about the same as an 18 wheeler... in the even the 4X is engaged and trying to turn like you said would prematurly wear out the ujoints up front and starting putting undo tension and stress on the ball joints and all the rest of the steering components..

an easy way to test to see if that is causing it .. is get on hard pavement like a parking lot.. go to full lock turning (steering wheel cranked all the way over and wont go anymore.) and try to turn..if it pops like that start letting of the steering wheel untill the truck starts to turn freely and the poping isnt present.. the farther the wheels are turned to the left or right while in 4X4 mode the more stress it puts on the unoints and balljoints .. thus indicating that when you releive some of that stress by letting the wheel come back a little bit to center , that the 4X isnt working properly and needs to be looked at..

a bad vacum could be engaging the CAD (where the 2 seperate shafts in the front axle get locked into one and start driving.. 4x4 mode) and not poping your 4X4 light on the dash..

now if you hav a 2X4 forget everything i just said and someone slap me for writing too damn much again!

hope this helps..!!!

 

Do you have a posi rear? Clutches might be wasted.

 

Unfortunatley, my dodge is not a 4x4.

 

Posi in the rear???

 

No, no posi.

 

like i said slapme then!!!!

uuuhh..id check the stearing up front.. tie rod ends..sway bar... make sure thers no binding .. have someone turn the wheel for ya and you crawl underneath and give her a looksee

 

My bet is still the rear.
The trans would stess more, but it does that in traffic. The rear could be slipping/ skipping across the teeth.

 

Check your tranny fluid lately?
Truck has to be running and I'd set the parking brake and put it in neutral.
Make sure you check BOTH sides of the stick--go with the lower reading.
Sounds like it is losing its prime and sucking air for a brief moment.
Your sharp moves can make the fluid slosh to one side of the pan if the level is low.
Let us know!

 

Im going to agree with Chopper. If it was the tranny it would happen all of the time.

My guess is that something is allowing the teeth on the ring gear to not make contact with the pinion gear.
If I were you I wouldnt drive it anymore until I poped the diff cover and checked things out.


But it does sound like you have the factory Trash lok differential.