This past weekend, I had my 3500 in 4WD pulling a trailer though my pasture and in thecourse of making a couple of turns, the truck made some really loud popping sounds that sounded like they came from the transfer case. Is it possible that what I am hearing is slippage within the case? Sounded terrible and has not done it to this point on numerous other occasions. What gives? Truck has about 39K on it and 4WD is only used a couple of times per month. Would appreciate any and all opinions on the possible causes.

 

you do have open diffs right. no lockers

 

Take a look at the u-joints.

 

I do not have lockers and it is funny that the other gentleman mentioned the U-joints as in 38,000 miles I have gone through 2 U-joints and a carrier bearing. The popping sound happened within a week of me demanding a wholesale replacement of ALL of my u joints--which the dealer did for me. In addition, the sound definitely sounds like it is coming from the transfer case--not the front end. Thanks for the suggestions....

 

Was the 4X4 engaged when you were in the pasture? The post kinda implies it was. Crap it says you were....reading to fast! If it U-joints wouldn't it do it in 2WD also?....sorry about not reading carefully!

 

Is the traction poor enough to need it in 4X4 ??
If you have good traction, you are destroying the transfer case.
There has been guys on here running in 4X4 on the dry streets and doing damage.

 

If it only does it at full or nearly full lock its most likely binding in the c/v joints at the wheels. the 01 did it no matter how slick it was out just too much angle. I have only done it once in my 04 at full right hand lock. Sounds like hell and like its coming from transfer case but its not, just carries up there.

 

Check the joint beside transfer case, I believe it's called a "double cardan joint" or something. Looks like a CV joint without the boot. They're notorious for failing. i know several people with Dodge CTD's 4x4's and none have made it past 60K miles.

 

It's probably not the t-case. I had chain slippage and then breakage with the t-cases in my Durango and my jeep. Both were NV231 transfer cases. The clue is that once the chain starts slipping, it will rattle constantly in both 2WD and 4WD. I can't tell how hard you are on U-joints, but if you have to keep replacing them, maybe you have a driveline problem, like out of round drive shaft. Obviously, if your rig is lifted, that would cause the u-joint problem. I'm assuming you don't have a lift, since the dealer replaced all your u-joints. I also had replaced several CV joints in the front wheels on my durango, but they never made popping sounds.