Looks like after replacing the CV shaft and other front-end parts, the axle bearings in the front differential are the real culprit. There is excessive play in the CV shaft where is attaches to the front differential, even the new one...which seems to be causing vibration. Also, on take-off from stop, there is a noise that I initially attributed to dragging front brakes, but I have since taken of the brake calipers and cleaned/adjusted only to have the noise continue.

Can anyone tell me if this is a common issue on Dodge Rams of this year (mine has 58k miles), and more importantly how to go about the repair? I would love to hear that the bearings can be replaced from the outside, without having to disassemble the differential...I don't really want to get into the "lash adjustment" deal.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Nate

 

Being you have a 1500 and have CV shafts, the onlt bearings inside the differential are the one's that you need to remove the carrier to get to. Are you sure it's not your Hub bearings? Which would be the outer end of the CV shaft?

 

As Dirty said its probably the hub bearing. 58000 sounds about right for replacement. As I had to replace both sides on mine by 52000 miles.

 

I haven't worked on a Dodge IFS yet , but any GM IFS I have worked on have all had the axle bearings so you can replace them in the vehicle without removing the differential. I will look through my 03 FSM and see what it says.

 

The front IFS differentials are usually pretty good. Although I've had mine rebuilt twice because when I went from stock gears to aftermarket, the aftermarket ones were noisy. So long story short, I'm on my3rd set of gears in my truck.

Anyway, I don't think this sounds normal. I think you might want to take further investigation into this. Maybe take the front CV's out and remove the front cover to do an internal inspection.

 

Thanks for the info guys. Here are more details...

I am sure the wheel bearings are good. I have replaced one, and inspected the other. The truck just went through the Maine State inspection as well, where they are required to thoroughly check bearings, tie rods, ball joints, etc. It's all tight.

The main concern for me is the play in the CV shaft where it attaches to the pumpkin. The new CV I just installed is very sloppy, and the one of the other side has some play as well, but not as much as the new one.

The noise has been hard to track down. Originally I thought it was a sticking caliper...and replaced the passenger side one recently. Saturday, I took off both calipers, sanded the slides, etc. Thought it would handle the noise for a bit...but that's when I noticed the CV shaft play.

I had a breakdown about a month ago...the driver's side CV started making an awful grinding noise on the highway. Had to pull off and get towed home. That was the reason for replacing the CV. At the same time, I replaced the wheel bearing on that side and the outer tie rod end on the other side.

I am going to do more research and get under the truck again, but I would love to find a place where I can see the diagram on the pumpkin, CV, etc. Anyone have a link?

As always, any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

 

Here are the 2 pages that deal with the axle seals and bearings. Let me know if you need more.

 

Thanks, Astro...I appreciate the images! I will let you know where it all ends up.

Nate

 

I got the same issue as you with my truck right now..I am actually goin to take it to a mechanic and he is gonna put it on a lift and listen to it so that he believes me. But if i have him do it, im sure it will cost a pretty penny to get into all that..but i have the exact symptoms as you and i actually jacked my truck up and spun the wheel by hand and heard the noise coming from the shaft and pumkin..so that is when i am gonna take it in..but my truck is a 2002 with 145,000 miles on it..somethin is bound to happen with that kind of mileage lol

 

Hey '02,

Definitely let me know how it goes and what you find. It will help me out with troubleshooting...might even save a few bucks. Maybe I can pay you back some day!

Take Care,
Nate