Hello everyone, I own a 1998 Dodge Ram 1500 5.9 Sport, with and automatic transmission. My truck just rolled over to 240,000 KMS (Thats 149, 129 miles) and everythings been running pretty smoothly until now. Everytime I put my trans into reverse, I hear a loud CLUNK sound coming from the rear end. Then I hear the same thing when I put it into drive. This never used to happen, and only started recently. Could someone help me out on what the problem is ? Thanks.

 

maybe u joints?

 

yea, are there vibrations when driving? or new noises?

 

U-joints in your driveshaft

 

mine does that...i brought it to the dealership...they told me i needed a "rear diff service" they changed the fluid and adjusted the backlash and now its better

 

i have the same problem. When i took it to my mechanic he said it was slippage in my spider gears.

 

Mine did that as well. But it was because my tranny had too much pressure when in park. The tranny doesnt circulate fluid in park (which is really dumb!). I used to shift into neutral real fast and leave it there for a second or two and then shift it into drive or reverse.
Mine also did that because I had a Detroit locker in the rear so the pinion can turn almost a 1/4 turn before it locks.

 

If its a loud cluck I'm gonna say its backlash also.

 

Get under there and grab the driveshaft and move it back and forth to see if the u joints are loose or if the rear end has a lot of play in it. If it is the rear end - get it to a shop and have the backlash adjusted like the other guys said........

 

While your under there, I know its going to sound very retarded, but it has happened once.

Give your shocks a shake while your checking your ujoints. Sometimes they can be the noise you hear.

Have a good visual inspection while your at it. I have seen the front bushing on a leaf broke off entirely, and the customer couldnt (and never did fix it) figure out why the truck was clunking over bumps.