I got 2 questions that I hope a few forum members can chime in and give me some help.

Question #1

Just recently on my 2004 Ram 3500 HO 24V CTD with the 48RE auto tranny has been shifting very odd of late. The first time was about 2 weeks ago, it was shifting back and forth in tow/haul mode trying to find a gear between 60-70 km/hr until I gunned it and it shifted into 3rd gear. I was pulling about 8500lb trailer up a step grade...but I thought my tranny maybe going on me as I have about 200K km's on the truck now. I have been diligent in changing my tranny fluid and filter every 50K km's.

The second time it shifted weird was tonight. I was driving around 10-20km/hr in 2nd gear and the truck was surging back and forth almost like it was not getting enough power to go up a hill. After I slipped it back into Drive mode it stopped surging. I checked my transmission fluid tonight and it was pink and no burnt smell.

The only things I can think of is my air filter needs to be recharged (AFe CAI) or my fuel filter may need to be replaced....getting up to 9000km since I last changed the fuel filter. Or could it be I need to clean my battery terminals and ground wire on the passenger side???

Question #2

I just recently had most of my front end replaced (sway bar links, Tie rod, shocks, brakes and my Axle Joints). However, of late when the truck is warm (driven on the highway or warmer outside) at a complete stop, when I have a slight turn I get a bit of a shake coming from what it feels like my front axle/front tires but not as bad as it felt when my axle joints failed. It feels like it's my U-joint on my axle as it gets my side mirrors shaking at times. It will do this shake from stop up to 10km/hr in drive or reverse. It won't shake when it's cold or at start up....only when the truck has been running hard for at least 20-30mins.

My thinking is I got aggressive wider tires 33x12.5 Toyo M/T's would this be the cause of the slight shake when turning because of the aggressive tread on pavement?

Or could it be a U-joint on my drive shaft? Or would this be related to transmission or differential??? Looking for some suggestions.

Thanks for the help...this forum has been great for getting a few of my issues cleared up on my Dodge Ram 3500.

Mike

 

Question #1 Clean and check ground wires on battery terminals and transmission grounds and cables. The 48RE transmissions are electronically controlled.
Question #2 check your front axle ujoint I had one go and it did as you have described . Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

1,2,3 shift problems on a 48RE are generally due to the governor pressure sensor or governor solenoid going bad.

Easiest (and cheapest) way to find out is go to the dealer and get it hooked to the DRBIII or StarScan.

If you don't see 28 psi at 1-2 shift, 58 psi at 2-3, 95 psi at 3-4 and 95 - 128 psi at 4th gear and TC lock-up, the gov solenoid or sensor is bad.

Fairly cheap and easy to fix, not much worse that changing a tranny filter.

 

I have something to add about question 2
check the wheel bearings on my neighbors 99 2500 gasser
he had a little vibration when making turns it was the wheel bearing on the drivers side. but it didn't making any grinding noise like I thought it would.
check it out I know you just had the front end looked over maybe they missed checking that.

 

Lesimon...I had the axle u-joints just replaced about 2 months ago...totally shot! Thanks for the idea!

However, I think I found the issues with Question #2 with the shutter turning slightly....my rear axle started to make a clicking noise just yesterday when I came off a run on the highway! So, There is something wrong in the Differential or rear axle. I do have a 3:73 LSD on my 04 So, I will drop it off and have my diesel mechanic take a looky at the diff. So, this could be pricey!

Seems wierd but I have serviced my Diff every 60K Km....but on my last change I had done in the winter another mechanic drained my diff and I am wondering if he added any LSD additive this time???? I know next time I will be doing the service work!!!! Not looking forward to this bill.


Question #1

Thanks Coal Train for the specs on the tranny PSI and your knowledge.....I will drop it off at the dealer after I get my Diff fixed and get it on the scope to test my pressure and look into the gov solenoid or sensor.

 

Question #2

I finally got the answer to my shutter issues.....It was a worn out driveshaft U-Joint in front of my rear differential.....I had my mechanic look in the diff...and said it looked like new and now issues. So, it was a relief that I did not have to drop some big bucks on a rear end. Mechanic also said the new American Axles are basically bullet proof. He has yet to see a 03 or up Ram Truck with the American Axle blowing up even with 600-1000HP. If you maintain with regular diff oil changes it should last a long while!

 

The AAM 11.5 axles have seen up to 2000 ft/lbs of torque before finally letting go.

I've beat the crap outta mine and....................I'm not even gonna say it.

It'd be my luck and I'd go outside, kick a tire and an axle shaft would pop out.