Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Truck Making Bad Noise

[B KIRK]

Took truck out to go to dinner. Stopped at a store and left running for about 5 minutes with AC on while wife waited in truck. As I was leaving, truck started to make noise. Sounds like a fan blade rattling or touching something, or a loose exhaust shield. Does not make noise while idling, only in gear while driving. Turned AC off and still had the noise. Drove home and checked fan blade. Just a little play in the clutch. Removed clutch fan and test drove, still have the rattling noise. Pulled inspection cover on auto transmission to check flex plate. Looked OK. Never had KDP done on this truck. Would that make a tinny type sound if it is working its way out and rubbing or touching something? Noise is coming from front of truck. Any Ideas? Thanks in advance. Heading out to dinner now in wife's vehicle.



Brad

 

[HEMI®Dart]

How are your front axle(s) cross joints? They will squeak and rumble when bad.

 

[B KIRK]

I rebuilt front axle about a year ago. New ball joints and u-joints, all with grease fittings. Everything there seems OK. Thanks Bill. This noise seems to occur as I put any slight load on the engine. Never made a noise until yesterday. Any other ideas? Thanks



Brad

 

[B KIRK]

Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Joe G.]

Have you checked for a lug nut rattling around in a hub cap?



I've seen pictures of KDPs that were blue and chewed up from being ground by the gears before finally getting caught and breaking the gear case. I have no idea what it would sound like while it's doing that.



Does the sound change when you turn the steering wheel?

 

[illflem]

If it sounds like a stick dragging across a chain link fence and is coming from the fan area it could very well be a loose kdp flinging around in the gearbox before it breaks though the case. I wouldn't drive the truck until you remove the cover to see what's happening.

 

[B KIRK]

I have aluminum rims, no hubcaps. Sounds the same going straight or turning. Guess I will be doing my KDP fix a little sooner than expected. Have had the parts for a while, just haven't had the time to do it. Sounds like a good place to start. Thanks guys.



Brad

 

[Hammer]

Hey Brad.....

I got it... I got it..... It the LNBW... ... ...

Seriously now,it may be the KDP,,When mine went both times it was quite evident what it was,,You could stand in front and hear the grinding,squealing and screeching noise easily,,First one went at a BK drive thru,shut truck off to order and when I restarted it the sound was heard inside over the stereo even,,The second one that wiped out the cam was at highway speed and it did the same thing,EXCEPT,I did not get it clicked off fast enough and the carnage was immense,,Recently I have chased a fanthom rattle/screeching sound that even led me to pull the cover again and check the pin(which was in place,new cover design),,I did the same thing,took the fan off also,,Drove me nuts for a few weeks and I finally found it,,Two things were actually causing it,first was a bad idler pulley(these motors are know for it) and second was a bad A/C clutch assembly,,You may want to even check the water pump it may make noise also( remove the belt and turn it over by hand and also try to move the pulley in odd ways),,One last thing,not sure when you replaced the serpentine belt but try it also,when they become worn they will do the strangest noises,,I'll drop you a pm with my number let me know how you make out... ..... Andy