Front end vibration... in 4HI only

[4x4fantasy]

Vehicle - 2007 Ram 1500 4x4 Hemi 3.92 gear

Im sure this was covered before, numerous times, but I wasnt active back then.  So, when I put it in 4HI, I get an annoying vibration through the whole truck.  VERY rarely will it be silky smooth, and when it is, it dont last long.  I should also say that when it rains, I HAVE to use 4HI because it gets very sideways with those stock tires on it.  I feel much safer with traction, and dont make such an ass out of myself while driving.  Also, when I go from 4HI to 2WD, the vibration does not stop for at least 10 more miles.  Sometimes I can shift to neutral, wait for revs to drop to 800, put it back in gear (with a thud of course), and the vibration goes away.  Here in VA, we get rain what seems like every 2 weeks.  So I have used 4WD a lot since I bought it 21 months, and 37k miles ago.

This is probably irrelevant but I was under the impression that in 4WD you could still make a u-turn.  Not in my truck!!  Gotta put it in 2wd for sharp turns.  Is that due to it being a live axle up front?  I am assuming so.

I look forward to hearing any and all possible solutions to this dilemma. 

[RamItOne]

well first off its a 4wd not an awd so by driving it in 4hi and not having any slipping will bind the hell out of yer box. turning on pavement will hurt it as well.

[4x4fantasy]

Interesting.  So I am screwed when it rains out until I get new tires?

[Cumminalong]

I wouldn't be worried so much about the tires as I would that vibration.

It definitely shouldn't be doing that.

And NO, you should be doing tight turns on pavement with 4wd engaged.

[4x4fantasy]

In looking at the driveline angles, the front shaft looks like its binding coming out of the transfer case.  I should go take a pic to show what I am talking about.  I also have trans fluid leaking from the front of my case, leaves a good 3" circle every morning.  But the leak is coming from a SOLID point of the case.  Odd.

[Cumminalong]

In looking at the driveline angles, the front shaft looks like its binding coming out of the transfer case.  I should go take a pic to show what I am talking about.  I also have trans fluid leaking from the front of my case, leaves a good 3" circle every morning.  But the leak is coming from a SOLID point of the case.  Odd.

You really don't want me to tell you about the nightmare a friend of mine went through with a PERFORATED T-CASE.

The whole forging looked solid, but it had tiny passages all through the case. It leaked all the time, he let it go and eventually the t-case disintegrated on him.

Not a pretty picture.

Also, your t-case only holds a little bit of gear oil, so if it's leaking you need to get that fixed. Won't take long to go dry.

[Buford445]

Do you have a lift in the truck

[4x4fantasy]

oops, I see where I made a boo-boo.  The leak is coming from the front of the transmission case.  Not transfer case.

I need to take my camera outside.

Granted, any leak needs to be addressed but, I dont want those bastards charging me $300 for some JB Weld.

My truck has never had a lift, its 100% stock.

See?

[Buford445]

I have with all the Dodge 4x4s that I had run it in 4 hi with WET, SNOWY, or ICEY roads.
Have you checked the front U-Joints ?

[4x4fantasy]

yep, no visual problems that I can find.

[RamItOne]

http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/driveline-bind.html

http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/def_turn.html

http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/def_turnfull.html

[Buford445]

Right Not on DRY Pavment (unless its a 1/4 mile or less )

[4x4fantasy]

oh, WOT in a straight away has me vibrating like im a vibrator with fresh batteries.  lol

[Buford445]

You probably Know this, Take pressure off drive line in neutral then check D/S

[RamItOne]

buford read the second link it addresses turning.

fantasy - ive heard of the shakes before, happens after you hammer it trying to pull out a buddy stuck in the mud etc.