Just found this forum. I've got a '97 1500/318 that i've had since new. I've got a few things that I haven't found the fix for, hope someone has the answers!

1. My transmission makes a rattleing noise when it shifts in to OD at low rpms. Had taken it to the dealer 5 times with no success.

2. Those damn mirrors fold in everytime I get on the highway!

Other than that, this has been a good truck so far. only mods have been gibson headers/cat back exhaust, & hi-flow cat. converter.

 

My drivers side mirror did that about a year after getting the truck. The dealer replaced it and has been OK since. I assume there is a clamp in there that can be tightened.
Just wish they were heated. Don't do much good when they turn into an ice cube.

 

I read somewhere, I believe it was Chryslers Tech site that mechanics only have access to, that the mirrors actually have a bulletin with a part available to fix that problem. It was a bracket installed on the door jam to stop the mirrors from shaking and folding. Just ask your dealer to look up the bulletin for ya.

As for the trans issue, I believe the OD gears are notoriously weak. Although it might be something else making the noise, like a heat shield or something. It sounds like you may want to find another dealer, because both of your problems have bulletins issued on the Chrysler site, and they are just being lazy, and obviously have NO customer service!!

 

I tried to get the parts from that bulletin, and the dealer told me the parts were no longer available. I was pissed, because my driver's side mirror flops enough to be irritating.

 

i had a rattle that i thought was tranny related and it ended up being one of the exhuast hangers that broke the weld and rattled only at certain rpms

 

I have that same rattle in my trans when in overdrive. I'm almost positive thats it the trans b/c it first started doing it with my stock exhaust, and still does it with the aftermarket. I know the exhaust is tight. I get the rattle best at around 40 - 50 mph, just in overdrive, trying to hold the gear going up a slight hill. (Reason for the slight hill, is b/c if its on flat ground, my truck gains speed and after i hit 50 or so, it goes away). This rattle started the day i got the transmission rebuilt (about 18k miles ago) and each time i brought it back, they say they can't find anything wrong with it, and that its fine. The original trans went from apparently the valves going. It had a whine in reverse, and a very slight whine in forward gears. My new trans has now developed the same whine twice now. The first time they said the valves up top went and they replaced them with better ones. The 2nd time i havnt brought it back yet, and hope it goes before the warranty is up.

 

Anybody else ever have that problem with the trans? And anyone know what it would be? Especially being that its only got 18k on it?

 

I have a whine under my truck somewhere too, it only does it in park and reverse,and i dont notice it in forward gears, but I think i do hear a faint whine, (exhaust too loud hahaha) The noise is only there when i first start up my truck when its cold. Usually only first thing in the morning after its been sitting all night. I just got a new tranny put in it about 20k kms ago so yeah i'll be pretty mad if it is the tranny acting up.

 

there is a tsb for rattling shifter linkage not sure if its for 97 --but it was for my 2000
it is an updated tsb-different from what you will find in the tsb on this site. instead of replacing the
shift linkage and bracket like they used to --they just slap a tiny little spring on the existing linkage and
charge a hour and something labor. it helps but does not fix. my rattle was heard at idle in park and
I also hear a rattle on the highway at cruise speed in over drive. kinda sound like some marbles in a can.
I would guess both rattles are from the same source.
g/l

 

so you know where i can find the info on that tsb?
my shift linkage rattles too