The Les Schwob guy said I needed to buy new tires before he could pinpoint the noise, but it was "REALLY LOUD". A competent auto tech informed me that it was coming from the rear differential. I crawled under it with the engine running and in gear and used a long screwdriver to my ear and narrowed it down to the forward pinion bearing. I went online and found that this is not an uncommon problem for Dodge' 9.25 rear axle.

So, I either rebuild the one I have and look for another failure in 30,000 miles, (per the recent reports found online, just Google " Dodge rear axle problems"), or get a 3/4 ton axle and mismatch my wheels by going to 6 or 8 lug. If you are Dodge Owner and reading this I will gladly submit the VIN. How about a recall Dodge Boys?

I would fill this site up with complaints on this vehicle. I bought it brand new and it was a piece of crap from the third week on. But since this is about the drive train lets keep it to that. Early on the rear end would make a popping sound that you could actually feel through the seat of your pants when you turned out into traffic and accelerated with anything above a slight pressure on the gas. Changing the fluid and adding the special additive that was recommended didn't help. The noise coming from the rear end also migrated into a whining noise at different speeds and vibration started to be a problem. Finally I couldn't stand it anymore and had it replaced with one from junk yard with less miles than mine had. But, this one had the exact same noise but worse vibration. Yes it was a different rear end. I was there at the swap. So, take that one out and find another one. I wanted to replace it with a new rear end at this point but they aren't available from Dodge. Purchased my second rear end and had it installed. No popping since this one wasn't traction but the vibration is still with me. only now it's much better. Decided to replace the universal joints since they might be causing the slight noise I am hearing now. But... went to the parts house and can't find the joints. My description doesn't compute with theirs. 98 Quad cab 1500 with an aluminum drive shaft. Third auto supply I am at tells me my truck doesn't have an aluminum drive shaft. Those were discontinued in 97 but since I bought it off the lot and have the drive shaft in the back of a friends truck I can tell you that they did indeed make them. So I have to buy three sets of joints and use the half the caps from one set to make the caps fit both the rear end and the shaft. Wonderful... I was never more glad to get rid of a truck as I was that piece of crap.

I might get bored one day and continue with the problems with it. like a radiator, two water pumps, master cylinder, brake booster, water temp sensor, leaking thermostat housing, two fuel pumps, catalytic converter, etc. (no that's not all,I am just tired now)

I had a 1998 Dodge Ram Quad Cab 4X4 Laramie. I bought it new. The only thing good that I can say about the truck is that it was a very nice looking truck. The truck cost me nearly half of what I paid for it to keep it dependable. I never took it off road or was abusive to the truck.

The truck had numerous design problems. The steering column failed twice, the brakes were horrible,the rear end was replaced 3 times, the automatic trans started failing at 135000. Replaced three water pumps, one radiator, 4 fan clutches, air failed at 100000, and it drank gas like a bus, and on and on. Never will own another Dodge.