New to site, looking for some info and help. I've got a pretty bad grinding noise coming from my drive train - here is the particulars:

97 1500 2wd, 5.2 automatic
153K, trans last serviced at about 85K ( I Know - lots of miles without service )

Trans seems to be shifting ok - no slipping, but when I’m driving it whines like a stuck pig and I can feel it through the gas pedal. Sounds like a diff whine, so I stripped the rear end for inspection = worn planetary gears and bad axle bearing = all replaced, still whining.

I noticed during the repair that the drive shaft ( disconnected from the rear end but still in tranny ) turned cw OK but it would take two hands, and some effort, to get it to turn ccw ( ? ).

Another strange thing is that if I take a full cut turn to the right the whining will diminish almost completely but not cease, and that’s only on right hand turns, not left. I do all of my own maintenance and the trucks in really good shape for the mileage but this ones got me a little befuddled. Thanx' in advance for your help

 

Wheel bearings possibly? That's the only thing I can think of that would stop whining on turns. I believe the 2wd Ram has an inner and outer bearing on the front.

You're right, that is a long time between transmission service...especially for these trucks which are known to have transmission problems. Lack of service is one of the reasons why they develop problems. [>:]

Also, remove your Poweraid Throttle Body spacer...it's not doing you any good