I bought my ram van used about 6 months ago. 82,000 miles, all original drivetrain.

When the weather got warmer, the van started making an intermittent whirring or clacking noise while running. I originally thought it was a pulley or another bearings on the main belt - I checked those and they spin fine. I lubed the belt tensioner pulley, which felt the worst of the bunch, and it made no difference. A/C comp and alternator spin freely.

The whirring sound happens whether the van is moving or not, so this rules out wheel bearings.

The noise changes in character, becoming either louder or more frequent in Drive, quieter in Neutral, and again a little louder in Reverse. All this while stopped and moving through the gears. While moving, it is audible in Drive, even over the radio with the windows open.

From the front, with the hood open, the noise is less noticeable. It is very noticeable from the front wheel wells and under the van, near where the transmission mounts to the engine.

I suspect some sort of transmission issue. The van shifts into gear fine and shifts through gears normally, as far as I can tell. No shudders, stalls, or other funny business, just the noise! The trans fluid level checks OK, the fluid looks red and doesn't smell burned.

This forum was a lifesaver on my last mystery problem: "the Smell": (https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-r...ml#post2035495)
Thanks Dodge Forum for that help, I'd be thrilled if anyone could suggest any ideas regarding "the Noise"?

PS - I can make an audio recording of The Noise if that would be helpful. Is it possible to post this on DodgeForum? (Otherwise, I can link to YouTube or something)

 

Front transmission shaft bearing.

 

Thanks for the idea, alloro. Knowing what parts are called is a helpful bit of knowledge!

Is this something a handy guy like me could do in the driveway, or something that warrants a trip to a professional mechanic? Looking at all those bolts and heavy things - I'm seeing the green add up.

Cheers,
ArturoB

 

It requires the removal and disassembly of the tranny. Whether or not you're comfortable doing that is your call, I don't know your capabilities.

 

Could this also be just a flexplate issue?

 

If it were an intermittent clacking noise perhaps, but the flex plate wouldn't make a whirring noise, and the clacking noise would come and go as load was applied, removed, or reversed.

 

Okay, thanks for the explanation.

 

No problem, I have to pass my knowledge onto someone that can carry on when I depart this place. It might as well be you because you're going to get buried in that van of yours, you'll never sell it.

 

Yep, it is my freedom machine, and my prison.

 

Everyone has an old ball and chain in one form or another.