Hey guys I wonder if you can help me out. When my Ram 1500 is in 4WD I get a knocking sound whenever I turn. If I go straight, there is no sound, but even fairly gradual turns make a large knocking sound.

Thanks in advance.

 

r u on a dry surface?

 

I was on a dry dirt road if that is what you mean.Later Iwas showing my friend the problem and drove around the (paved road)block in 4WD too.

 

thats because you are on dry ground you are not supposed to use 4wheel on dry ground only in a situation its called for in that clicking is because your tire has no room to slip a little during the turn when in should spin a different speed then the other tires...

 

You know, it's been a while since I have tried 4WD, and need to go back out and test this problem again. I am aware of what you are talking about, but I am not sure that is it. On a dirt road with a bit of sand and gravel, should I be hearing that on gentle turns?

 

on a dirt/gravel road where the tires can slip easily, when turning medium sharp, you'll feel a little wiggle in the steering wheel as its fighting the driveline and tires, then you'll feel some tire slip every once in a while as the front catches up to the rear. this is because there is no center differental and its normal. for this reason, dodge says don't drive in 4wd on hard dry surfaces. you can do it, but it puts a lot of stress on the drive line, and something might break.

if you try to turn real sharp, you may find it about impossible to do.

there's no reason that i know of that a knocking sound is normal. try to determine where its coming from. hub, front drive shaft, differential, t-case.

 

I hope the ticking your hearing isnt the band in the x-fer case skipping teeth. if it is it is shot.

 

How are your tires? are they worn evenly?
If for example the fronts are like new and the rears are bald or really worn you can get binding and all kinds of strange noises.
How are your front axle u-joints?

 

Thanks for the replies.

So I took it out today to get a better ideal of what is going on. The tapping sound happens when I turn the steering wheel more then 1/4 turn. About 120 degrees from center will do it. Also, when I turn the wheel, the sound does not start immediately, but takes a second or so for the tapping to begin.

I can't really place the sound other then I think is is mid to front of the vechical, but that is not really surpriseing since it seems related to my steering.

 

>>>How are your tires? are they worn evenly?
>>>If for example the fronts are like new and the rears are bald or really worn you can get binding and all kinds of strange noises.

They are starting to get a bit worn, but mostly evenly so.

>>>How are your front axle u-joints?

I don't know, how do I check them?