Got our first snow of the year here in Illinois and decided to give the old 4 wheel drive a try. Upon engaging the 4 wheel drive into 4-HI, a loud growling sound started coming from the front passenger area. I quickly disengaged the 4 wheel drive (back to 2-HI) and the noise continued until I pulled into a parking lot and backed up. Does this sound like bad cv joints in the front axle or is it the hub bearing assembly? Completely stock 2003 Ram 1500 4X4 with 5.7 Hemi and auto tranny.

Any help would be appreciated.

Railman87

 

Check transfer case fluid. Also it could just be dry from non-use. Are you shifting into 4wd about once every couple hundred miles or so like your supposed tosothings stay lubed up?

 

Its been a couple of months but I have never had any problem before. But I do realize that the pickup is 5 years old and has 100,000 miles on it. Most of them are highway, but I wouldn't think that the CV joints would be out yet.

 

Any other ideas?

 

Sounds more like an issue with the transfer case. Low fluid level or something worse. From what I've read on these boards, sometimes you have to back up in order for the 4x4 to disengage properly, but it's not something I've ever had to deal with.

 

All right. I jacked up the rear end and put it on jack stands and then I jacked up the front end and put it on jack stands. With all 4 wheels off the ground, I started the pickup and put it into 4-HI and then into drive. Ran the speed up and no fricking grinding sounds.

Does that mean it is probably in the front differential, since there needs to be a "pull" on it?