Ratcheting noise in rear end when turning.

From : msyjsy

Q: was on the beach a few days ago and went through a small dimple in the sand. it sent me airborne for about a half a second a little rough but certainly not stunt driving. i turned to take a road off the beach and heard some noise from the back sounded at that point like a loose exhaust clunking a bit. thought maybe i broke weld on a support or something. heard it a couple more times on the way home that day. did not think much of it until yesterday when i was in the truck again and began hearing a ratcheting noise when i would turn. i did not hear this until i had driven about 20 miles. i turned around to get the rig home but it got progressively worse on the way back. so bad that i was really cringing every i needed to turn. something wrong in the differential i am sure. there had been a slight whine occasionally when i would accelerate hard between 50 and 60 mph as when passing or pulling a hill. and i must say that it is not a complete surprise because there is evidence of a goose neck that had been installed in the bed of this truck someone had been hauling a 5th wheel. is there an adjustment in the rear end or is the thing shot i would not be surprised if there is broken pieces inside but may just wear. anybody have a any thoughts on this one -- from the desk of jesse a. harrington .

Replies:

From : msyjsy

i made a 3 point turn today to get the tailgate facing the garage and everything sounds just fine. but it is cold. have to travel today but when i get back am going to check the fluid no apparent leaking and just had it checked. may just break the seal and look inside out of curiosity. -- from the desk of jesse a. harrington was on the beach a few days ago and went through a small dimple in the sand. it sent me airborne for about a half a second a little rough but certainly not stunt driving. i turned to take a road off the beach and heard some noise from the back sounded at that point like a loose exhaust clunking a bit. thought maybe i broke weld on a support or something. heard it a couple more times on the way home that day. did not think much of it until yesterday when i was in the truck again and began hearing a ratcheting noise when i would turn. i did not hear this until i had driven about 20 miles. i turned around to get the rig home but it got progressively worse on the way back. so bad that i was really cringing every i needed to turn. something wrong in the differential i am sure. there had been a slight whine occasionally when i would accelerate hard between 50 and 60 mph as when passing or pulling a hill. and i must say that it is not a complete surprise because there is evidence of a goose neck that had been installed in the bed of this truck someone had been hauling a 5th wheel. is there an adjustment in the rear end or is the thing shot i would not be surprised if there is broken pieces inside but may just wear. anybody have a any thoughts on this one -- from the desk of jesse a. harrington .

From : tom lawrence

anybody have a any thoughts on this one sure would be helpful to know what kind of vehicle were talking about here and whether or not you have a limited slip. however no matter what you should pull the cover and have a look. i had a vehicle once that started with a ticking noise in the rear end. turned out to be guessing here but from what we could gather during the autopsy a ring gear bolt that had backed out and somehow managed to jump over the ring gear and get caught between the ring and pinion gears. it sounded like a grenade went off in my trunk. get your diff opened up and checked out before yours grenades. .

From : msyjsy

is a 93 dakota le 5.2 liter 4x4 auto. i believe you would call it a limited slip have heard argument that possitraction is not the same. i cannot begin to comprehend the inner working of trannys and diffs. it lays two patches of rubber. -- from the desk of jesse a. harrington anybody have a any thoughts on this one sure would be helpful to know what kind of vehicle were talking about here and whether or not you have a limited slip. however no matter what you should pull the cover and have a look. i had a vehicle once that started with a ticking noise in the rear end. turned out to be guessing here but from what we could gather during the autopsy a ring gear bolt that had backed out and somehow managed to jump over the ring gear and get caught between the ring and pinion gears. it sounded like a grenade went off in my trunk. get your diff opened up and checked out before yours grenades. .

From : stelios grigoriou

was on the beach a few days ago and went through a small dimple in the sand. it sent me airborne for about a half a second a little rough but certainly not stunt driving. i turned to take a road off the beach and heard some noise from the back sounded at that point like a loose exhaust clunking a bit. may be an idiot question but have you checked the wheel bearings in a similar instance involving the wheels of a boat trailer it was the totally destroyed inner wheel bearing that did the noise. first only in turns then nothing for a while and after a bump in the road the noise continually louder... first like a klunking exhaust then a serious racheting sound and after that... no sound since we raised the trailer and changed on the road both wheel bearings nice to have spares with you... .

From : msyjsy

wheel bearings is something that i did not think of. i will check it out as i have time this week. it is not a daily driver so it is sitting until the weather clears up and i can find the gunption to get to it. -- from the desk of jesse a. harrington was on the beach a few days ago and went through a small dimple in the sand. it sent me airborne for about a half a second a little rough but certainly not stunt driving. i turned to take a road off the beach and heard some noise from the back sounded at that point like a loose exhaust clunking a bit. may be an idiot question but have you checked the wheel bearings in a similar instance involving the wheels of a boat trailer it was the totally destroyed inner wheel bearing that did the noise. first only in turns then nothing for a while and after a bump in the road the noise continually louder... first like a klunking exhaust then a serious racheting sound and after that... no sound since we raised the trailer and changed on the road both wheel bearings nice to have spares with you... .