Some more issues

[JL724877]

Been dealing with some issues on 2017 ram 1500 V8 4wd. Noticed some leaking and or fluid/grease in a few spots under truck. Also noticed I was able to rotate the driveshaft shown in pics while the truck was on the ground turned off and in park. I didn’t try to rotate it fully but I believe it rotated at least a quarter turn. I have been having some clunks especially when letting off gas and then hitting it again especially after a down shift. Any thoughts? Maybe u joint? Or problem in differential or transfer case?

 

[rzr6-4]

If there is any play in the U-joint, you would be able to see it pretty obviously when you turn the shaft. Also wiggle it up and down. If both sides of the joint turn the same then yes it's something in the trans. A few degrees of play is normal but not 1/4 turn. Something is amiss.

 

[crackerjack1957]

Hope you meant 1/4 of an inch.......1/4 turn is 90 degrees of rotation

 

[JL724877]

Let me clarify the drive shaft from the transfer case to the rear differential does not move however the one from transfer case to the front differential is the one that I was able to turn. It is also the one with the u joints in the pics. Not sure if it’s normal for that shaft to be able to spin when truck is parked.

 

[Curmudgeon]

I don't know if this will help, but does your dashboard 4wd switch have the
word "Auto" on it anywhere?

Our 4th Gens mostly come with one of 2 transfer cases that behave differently. Only one has 4-Auto or whatever it says. I would check mine but it's raining and I don't wanna get wet.

 

[Curmudgeon]

OK, fine. You talked me in to it. My drive selector, does yours look alike
or completely different? I don't know what difference it makes, if any,
but there are folks here who will...

 

[JL724877]

Mine does have the 4wd auto. It was not engaged when I spun that front shaft.

 

[RamDiver]

The half shafts are not engaged at the transfer case while in 2WD. I would expect some movement but 90° sounds excessive.

For the cluncking, I would check the UV joints on the drive shaft for excessive play.

What is the mileage and has the transmission and differential fluid been changed or fluid level confirmed?

.

 

[JL724877]

The half shafts are not engaged at the transfer case while in 2WD. I would expect some movement but 90° sounds excessive.

For the cluncking, I would check the UV joints on the drive shaft for excessive play.

What is the mileage and has the transmission and differential fluid been changed or fluid level confirmed?

.

Driveshaft is solid no play at all. Coming up on 150k. Trans fluid has not been changed. Plan to do it this weekend. Front differential fluid last serviced around 110k. The clunk feels/sounds like it’s coming from rear end. My best guess is backlash in rear differential that keeps getting worse. It started only in 4th gear around 30mph now it seems to do it in multiple gears past 3 when letting off accelerator then hitting it again.

 

[RamDiver]

Driveshaft is solid no play at all. Coming up on 150k. Trans fluid has not been changed. Plan to do it this weekend. Front differential fluid last serviced around 110k. The clunk feels/sounds like it’s coming from rear end. My best guess is backlash in rear differential that keeps getting worse. It started only in 4th gear around 30mph now it seems to do it in multiple gears past 3 when letting off accelerator then hitting it again.

What about maintenance and fluid level check on the rear differential?

And, when did this cluncking start and transition from 4th to other gears?

Noticed some leaking and or fluid/grease in a few spots under truck.

This reference isn't very helpful. How about being more descriptive about the location and volume? A few drops, a pint or quart?

When did you notice this fluid with respect to the development of the cluncking?

.

 

[JL724877]

What about maintenance and fluid level check on the rear differential?

And, when did this cluncking start and transition from 4th to other gears?




This reference isn't very helpful. How about being more descriptive about the location and volume? A few drops, a pint or quart?

When did you notice this fluid with respect to the development of the cluncking?

.

It’s been clunking probably since 30k miles just gotten louder and more frequent. The fluid leak that I noticed is on the trans pan possible the seal or pan itself towards the front of pan. Also a spot above that which I believe is part of the trans. I have a pic but you have to zoom in to see it.

 

[JL724877]

Rear differential has been drained and refilled a ccouole times but never removed the cover just drained and refilled. Fluid looked ok no metal that I could see.

 

[JL724877]

This is the other spot where I’m not sure it’s leaking or just grease from u joint. I believe this is the shaft between transfer case and front diff. I also noticed that I could spin this shaft when the truck is in park and off. The main driveshaft from transfer case to rear differential has no play and does not rotate when in park.

 

[RamDiver]

It’s been clunking probably since 30k miles just gotten louder and more frequent.

30K miles is a long time to have an unknown clunking noise: hopefully, something hasn't been permanently damaged.

Rear differential has been drained and refilled a ccouole times but never removed the cover just drained and refilled. Fluid looked ok no metal that I could see.

1) Does the differential have limited-slip?
2) And, was one of these drain & fills completed around 30k miles ago?
3) What fluids were used to refill?
4) Did you complete these fluid changes yourself or pay someone unknown to complete the task?


Regardless of when this fluid maintenance was last completed, verifying the fluid level would be the very first item to confirm, especially given the unknown noise that you're experiencing.

The fluid leak that I noticed is on the trans pan possible the seal or pan itself towards the front of pan. Also a spot above that which I believe is part of the trans. I have a pic but you have to zoom in to see it.

Trans fluid has not been changed. Plan to do it this weekend.

5) Do you have a ZF 8-speed transmission?
6) Do you plan to change the transmission fluid/filter/pan yourself?

The ZF is very sensitive to low fluid levels and has a very specific process for refilling.
Many members have used the PPE replacement oil pan with replaceable filters.

One of the most important and commonly ignored steps is #1, levelling the tranny pan, not the truck.
ZF produced these instructions.





.

 

[Wild one]

This is the other spot where I’m not sure it’s leaking or just grease from u joint. I believe this is the shaft between transfer case and front diff. I also noticed that I could spin this shaft when the truck is in park and off. The main driveshaft from transfer case to rear differential has no play and does not rotate when in park.

Those aren't leaks,they're just seals sweating,you're worrying over nothing. Unless it's leaving oil tracks on clean concrete,a sweating seal isn't worth worrying about or changing

 

[JL724877]

Those aren't leaks,they're just seals sweating,you're worrying over nothing. Unless it's leaving oil tracks on clean concrete,a sweating seal isn't worth worrying about or changing

Didn’t know such a thing existed but yah it’s not leaking on the ground or anywhere that I can tell

 

[Wild one]

Didn’t know such a thing existed but yah it’s not leaking on the ground or anywhere that I can tell

Then don't worry about it.When it starts leaving oil on the ground,then it's a leak,but it's very normal to have sweating around seals,and is nothing to worry about.

 

[JL724877]

30K miles is a long time to have an unknown clunking noise: hopefully, something hasn't been permanently damaged.




1) Does the differential have limited-slip?
2) And, was one of these drain & fills completed around 30k miles ago?
3) What fluids were used to refill?
4) Did you complete these fluid changes yourself or pay someone unknown to complete the task?


Regardless of when this fluid maintenance was last completed, verifying the fluid level would be the very first item to confirm, especially given the unknown noise that you're experiencing.






5) Do you have a ZF 8-speed transmission?
6) Do you plan to change the transmission fluid/filter/pan yourself?

The ZF is very sensitive to low fluid levels and has a very specific process for refilling.
Many members have used the PPE replacement oil pan with replaceable filters.

One of the most important and commonly ignored steps is #1, levelling the tranny pan, not the truck.
ZF produced these instructions.


View attachment 572453


.

1. Yes limited slip
2. Last drain and fill was maybe 10k ago
3. Mobil one with limited slip modifier
4. Did it myself
5. Yes zF 8 speed
6. Yes doing pan filter gasket and fluid this weekend.

Appreciate the added the instructions. Have them saved from other posts great information. As far as the clunk goes I have had it checked at Firestone. Best they could come up with was it was something in rear differential but recommended me to go to trans/differential shop to have them confirm as it was beyond there scope. Not 100% sure it’s the rear differential but trans was shifting fine up to two weeks ago so wasn’t concerned with it being trans issues. Wasn’t really looking to rebuild rear differential or replace so kind of was in ride or die mode lol. (The truck that is).

 

[RamDiver]

1. Yes limited slip
2. Last drain and fill was maybe 10k ago
3. Mobil one with limited slip modifier
4. Did it myself
5. Yes zF 8 speed
6. Yes doing pan filter gasket and fluid this weekend.

Appreciate the added the instructions. Have them saved from other posts great information. As far as the clunk goes I have had it checked at Firestone. Best they could come up with was it was something in rear differential but recommended me to go to trans/differential shop to have them confirm as it was beyond there scope. Not 100% sure it’s the rear differential but trans was shifting fine up to two weeks ago so wasn’t concerned with it being trans issues. Wasn’t really looking to rebuild rear differential or replace so kind of was in ride or die mode lol. (The truck that is).

You're most welcome, and all that sounds good.

Just stick a finger in the rear differential fill cavity sometime in the near future, and verify the fluid level is close to the top.

Then you know if the fluid level is good. If you discover the level to be very low, I would consider changing it again, and maybe a flush if significant particulate is visible.

Whenever it gets changed next, I would have a close look at the old fluid before deciding the next course of action.

.

 

[JL724877]

You're most welcome, and all that sounds good.

Just stick a finger in the rear differential fill cavity sometime in the near future, and verify the fluid level is close to the top.

Then you know if the fluid level is good. If you discover the level to be very low, I would consider changing it again, and maybe a flush if significant particulate is visible.

Whenever it gets changed next, I would have a close look at the old fluid before deciding the next course of action.

.

Will do. Thanks!