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-   -   Any Dodge 4x4 Experts? (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=361840)

  • Jun 5, 2009, 04:17 PM
    pjd189
    Any Dodge 4x4 Experts?
    Hi, All! Have a bet going with my husband that AskMe Experts can answer this! Prove me right! He has a 1997 Dodge Ram 150 4x4 pickup (it looks like the day it was born!) Here's the problem... when he shifts into Reverse (it's automatic), it makes this awful loud CLUNK noise.:confused: We have taken it to several 4x4 tranny specialists, mechanics, even the dealership techs... no one can tell us what the problem is or may be. Everyone says the same thing.. "Never ran across this problem before and have no idea what is causing it." I even emailed the Dodge Corp. in hopes of a reply with some knowledge of what may be causing this but no one there knew, either.:mad: I cannot believe that our 'Big Red' is so special that it is the only one with this problem that was ever manufactured.:(
    Remember... ya got to help me make a believer out of my fella!:D
    Thanks!
    pjd189
  • Jun 5, 2009, 05:34 PM
    TxGreaseMonkey

    Your's is a classic description of drive shaft universal joints needing either repacking or replacing. Mark and remove the drive shaft, press the yokes out, and repack with synthetic NLGI #2 grease; e.g. Mobil 1. If you see damage to the needle bearings, replace the yoke with a new universal joint that comes with a zerc fitting, and grease with synthetic NLGI #2 grease. The new u-joint may look like it's greased but it may only contain shipping grease to prevent rust. Force all of that out, when you pump in grease.

    It's a common problem on older vehicles with a drive shaft. Hard to believe they couldn't identify the problem. Be sure to repack both joints. If the front u-joint breaks, it can catapult the truck end-over-end in a horrific crash.
  • Jun 5, 2009, 09:37 PM
    pjd189

    Thanks for answering, TX.. but there is more involved than just the CLUNK sound. Previous owner bought it with 31K miles from Carmax 7 yrs. Ago. When I look at the truck at first, it had a small leak from the transfer case but I thought it was a bearings, gears, or belts in the transfer case would remedy the problem of the hard shifting into reverse. (Not just the loud clunk but a very hard shift) I took it to a 4x4 specialist (highly recommended) in our area and with the aftermarket exhaust masking the sound of a worn rearend, I had him replace the center section of the rearend and had him inspect the transfer case for possible "slack" that could be causing along with the rearend, the hard shift, thinking that it would alleviate the problem. This still did not fix it. Then went to Speedy Trans. who discovered the check valve in the valve body was already removed (said there was a 'recall' in 1998 about this) upon my request further inspected as much as could be done by removing the valve body, the clutches or any other possible problems; they could not find anything obvious that could cause this problem. I plan on replacing all U-joints since this is the only thing left that has not been addressed but the amount of slack during shifting into reverse is significant enough that the U-joints would be almost ready to fall out if this is the case. The U-joints never occurred to me, so your advise is greatly appreciated. Knowing more about the truck and what has been done to, if this slack and hard shifting is still there after I change the U-joints, what can it be? Oh! This ONLY happens when shifting from park to reverse or drive to reverse not during normal driving. It never happens during drive time or when shifting from park to drive (unless it lingers in reverse long enough to engage). This has quite a few people stymied and I look forward to visiting these guys and sharing with them your advise and further input! Thanks a million and I will look forward to hearing from you again! Jeff (pjd189's other half)
  • Jun 6, 2009, 06:10 AM
    TxGreaseMonkey

    I still suspect the u-joints. Ensure idle rpm is set to specs. If the idle speed is too high, the transmission "slams" into reverse, which contributes to u-joint wear.
  • Jun 6, 2009, 01:18 PM
    pjd189

    Hey, TGM.. Thanks! Will be checking out the idle setting this afternoon or in the morning. Will let you know what I find. You have given me more suggestions than the 'specialists' in my area and I really appreciate it. Will be posting soon!
    Jeff (pjd189's other half)

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