Hey Guys!

First post here did a lot of research before hand but no one seems to have quite the same issues.

Details on my truck as follows...

2005 4x4 ram 1500 5.7 Quad cab with 205,000 KM's. It has the 4x4 floor selector (not the button)


anyways just last weekend I was in some wet grass and put my truck in 4H and it started grinding out of no where instantly. the rear wheels spun but nothing in the front end.

I went and tried 4L same deal. so threw it back in 2x4 and slowly managed to drive out. I went to a soft spot I knew I wouldn't get stuck and tried 4x4 again this time it didnt grind but just didnt engage at all rear tires spun front end was quiet no movement.


Figuring I was still ok in 2x4 seeing no grinding or anything was happening I went to my buddys for the night which was about 15min drive, the next morning I jumped in my truck and after about 100ft i started hearing the grinding noise in the front end again but this time without trying to engage the 4x4. I pulled over put my truck in Neutral and started moving my 4x4 selector back and forth a few times thinking maybe it would release or something. Drive off another 100 or so ft and grinding.

Threw it back in 4x4 and it will only start grinding again after 100 or so ft though keep in mind the 4x4 isnt engaging or working as mentioned.

Anyways.. Im looking to see what the possible issue can be?

-My 4x4 hasnt been working for a few years now. I read up on it and saw it was a common issue and that its as easy as cleaning the sensor plug or replacing it.

- its grinding no matter what position i put it in 2x4 4x4H or 4x4L...

-starts grinding after 100 or so ft will stop if I slow down to a stop and only continue grinding after another 100 or so ft.

 

I would check the selector linkage going to the transfer case first. Does it seem like its fully going into and out of 4x4 on the selector? Since your light was not lighting up before the linkage may have already been off somewhat.

 

thanks! i mentioned it to the mech n see what comes of it!


if my front end pinion and or yolk is fried.. guess ill be going to 4.56 gears!

 

If you hosed up the front diff it will be quite easy to see when its opened up. But I would think if you hosed up the front gears you would hear it right away. But good luck.

 

yea I am hoping its nothign crazy! especially with Xmas around the corner and all. im hoping ill find out something soon from the mech.

 

hey so....

mech was working on it couldnt find anything wrong until he grabbed the front driver side axle and it poped right out by hand....

found the retaining clip shredded so he replaced the clip and put back the axle but its still grinding partially.. but this time cause the splines are worn to ****.

He also said my front end shaft has a lot of play side to side almost like the pinion n yolk are out of phase or worn? which means my yolk and pinion are worn out too?


So he said the lock mechanism or what ever tells the shaft to lock in the dif needs adjustment and odds are the gears that turn the axle need changing

basicaly from the sounds of it.. ill need


at the least 1 driver side axle, the gear that turns the axle inside the dif, and yolk / pinion set up.


Considering I would be rebuilding all of it... i might as well get all new axles for the front end and gears (fully rebuild the Dif not just the few bearings?)


any good aftermarket stuff to do while im in there? and good heavier duty axles that wont run my wallet dry?


i plan on buying the 4.56 kit from 3rd strike performance that includes all new bearings seals ect...

 

Yes,

Make sure a shop rebuilds the diff and they get the gears set right and the preload on the pinion crush washer set right-------hugely important

 

im getting my neighbor to set the gears.. the guy runs a 700-800 hp monte carlo drag car and charges his gears on the regular.... so hes exp getting them shimmed / crushed right on the dot.

the rest will be done with him and my old man (also a mech) by no means are they a dif / trans pro.. but both have experience in doing these types of jobs.


any recommendations on axles? go back to a stocker? how much would the spider gears run me give or take?