Hi all,
So I have a 2004 ram 2500 5.7l 4x4. I started noticing some very soft whiny noise coming from below the truck. didnt pay much attention to it, but when I put it in 4 wheel drive, man it got real loud, and grindy. checked the front dif fluid, fine, I got underneath and tried twisting the drive shaft between the transfer case and front axle. no play when twisting, but i pushed it up and it moves quite a bit up and down, maybe at least 1/8 of an inch. It looks like it is moving at the end with the two u-joints. I dont think this is normal and is probably where the noise is coming from. Whats your guys opinion? I dont think this is normal and I will have to take it down and replace the U joints, but just wanted some feed back.
thanks

 

Replacing the u-joints in the double-cardan joint... (or, CV joint) is fun..... I hated it so much, I paid someone else to do it. But, dry, or worn joints will give you odd noises.