I own a 97 dodge ram 1500. i went camping with a few buds adn we did a little off roading. I have used the 4 wheel drive before in the snow but never really offroading. about a week or two after camping i started hearing this loud click coming from the passenger side underneath the truck by the tire. it sounds like metal clanking around. In 2 wheel drive it makes the noise while i drive around when i put it in 4 high or 4 low the noise goes away while driving straight but comes back when i take only a right turn. Anyone have any ideas what this could be? im thinking my 4 wheel drive is completely disengaging, but not sure. ive checked the switch motor"not sure about the name" hoses to make sure i was getting the right compression and to see if the vacuum hoses were cracked or something, but they appear to be in great shape. Any help would be greatly appreciated. thanks you...also would it be a terrible idea to drive at high speeds in my truck with this problem i have to go to denver tonight which is about a 60 mile drive from co. springs. but im not sure if ill drive it if there is a chance of causing severe damage to my truck. thanks again.

 

did you check your u-joints?

 

by checking the u-joints the only thing i did was wiggle them to see if there was any give or if they were loose and there was no give they were in there good.

 

Sounds just like mine when my axle joint busted. I thought my driver's side joint had busted but when I actually got out checked it, it was actually my passenger side. Definitely needs to be replaced before you go to Denver if it is.

 

yea i think ill take a closer look at those joints i looked in my Haynes repair manual i got on my truck which is a complete tear down and rebuild of the truck under troubleshoot and under the driveshaft section says if i have a metalic grinding s ound consistent with the vehicles speed to replace the u-joints. between you 2 and that im guessing my joints need to be replaced. thanks for the help guess that means no dane cook tourgasm tonight oh well. thanks again