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21 3500 HO Making noise in reverse

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Alissa693

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21 3500 HO 4wd
Last night coming home from a quick trip towing a 10k gn trailer, I was backing in the driveway off my road. The road is downhill and my driveway goes back uphill a little. Truck backed fine downhill, but when I started pushing it up my driveway it made a horrible sound up front every time you accelerate. I drove it down to the road this morning and made a couple attempts going back and forth. Every uphill acceleration especially from a stop brought on the noise. Only in reverse and only uphill a little. Only has 2500 miles on it. WTF?? Video clip of noise..

 
Hard to diagnose from a video clip soundtrack but kinda maybe sounds like something in the transfer case?

Were you using 4WD at all?
 
That's what I was thinking too. I traded in my 17 because 4wd was engaging on its own at random times. Dealers couldn't figure it out.. I can't believe at 85k I might have another lemon
 
Alissa693 said:
That's what I was thinking too. I traded in my 17 because 4wd was engaging on its own at random times. Dealers couldn't figure it out.. I can't believe at 85k I might have another lemon
Click to expand...

Is it all all possible you're hitting the button with your knee? It's been a complaint of a few drivers.
 
The new truck was only in 2wd when it made the noise. Only did it when backing the trailer up a small incline. Not entirely sure but I also think power was reduced when it was making the noise... but that could have been imagined as I was freaking out that my new truck was having an issue

The last truck threw a service 4wd light and engaged 4wd randomly going 75mph on the highway and the light still showed 2wd. It would not disengage when turning the nob. After several engine shut downs and switching through the 2 and 4wd options it finally disengaged. Got rid of that truck in a hot minute.

Neither time was this operator error or confusion. I ran the new truck up and down the driveway a second time after running a full check of everything. Still made the noise.

I'm going to unhook and see if it still does it without a payload.
 
Alissa693 said:
21 3500 HO 4wd
Last night coming home from a quick trip towing a 10k gn trailer, I was backing in the driveway off my road. The road is downhill and my driveway goes back uphill a little. Truck backed fine downhill, but when I started pushing it up my driveway it made a horrible sound up front every time you accelerate. I drove it down to the road this morning and made a couple attempts going back and forth. Every uphill acceleration especially from a stop brought on the noise. Only in reverse and only uphill a little. Only has 2500 miles on it. WTF?? Video clip of noise..

Click to expand...
Hi Alissa693,
We'd suggest visiting your local dealer to diagnose this concern. We'd be happy to provide an additional layer of assistance alongside them if you'd like it. Feel free to send us a PM.

Sarah
Ram Cares
 
Ok, I had a good friend listen. He specializes in 1 ton+ trucks up to semi's. Also runs a tow company so he sees a lot of broken down trucks. He said it's the air suspension system failing. Overloading from the incline of the hill transferring too much tongue weight. It's causing the transmission to malfunction from the angle of the drive shaft. He said it's a lemon and defective. Even if it's fixed, it will just overload and fail again. He told me the auto air suspension is a big issue as a factory option. Sad because I specifically ordered this truck to get the air suspension. Can't handle 10k lbs? On a 1 ton...that's just sad. I'll be calling Ram corporate tomorrow.
 
Brutal_HO said:
That sounds like a bunch of psychobabble.

Take it to the dealer and let them diagnose it.
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I agree that is a silly diagnosis as the complete cycle of the rear suspension would never be to much of an angle in fact if the rear end would be more inline and less likely to make noise if the airbags were not airing up….
 
Alissa693 said:
The last truck threw a service 4wd light and engaged 4wd randomly going 75mph on the highway and the light still showed 2wd. It would not disengage when turning the nob. After several engine shut downs and switching through the 2 and 4wd options it finally disengaged. Got rid of that truck in a hot minute.
Click to expand...
I had the same thing on my previous truck. It was just the actuator that got some water inside its case and would just switch on it's own, regardless of knob position. Everything was corroded inside. After a swap, problem never reappeared.

Not fun when you are a red light to turn left and while you wait, it switches on 4wd randomly. The "4wd truck bucking on pavement" is not a cool feeling...
 
I'm not trying to argue whether one opinion or another is right or wrong. I'm just updating ideas thrown at me. My previous truck went to the shop multiple times for it's 4wd issue with zero remedy. They said it was just a sensor. Trust me when I tell you the noise in the front end was NOT just a sensor. Also 4wd engaging at 75 mph is not good under any circumstance. That truck left me on the side of a highway with a full load of horses many times. Of course I will be bringing it in to a dealer, but the original one is 4 hours away. I have zero faith in the abilities of any dealer these days as hardly any of them have technicians who can fix anything or even diagnose it. They don't want the trailer brought too, so I'm not sure how they will duplicate the issue. So far the earliest appointment available is 3 weeks out. Not helpful considering I need to use the truck every day and must be able to tow the trailer in case of emergency.
 
H3LZSN1P3R said:
I agree that is a silly diagnosis as the complete cycle of the rear suspension would never be to much of an angle in fact if the rear end would be more inline and less likely to make noise if the airbags were not airing up….
Click to expand...
The airbags were fully inflated and locked out. Overload light was on dash. I tried to manually lower truck height and it kept telling me "air system not available " or something like that. Truck wouldn't lower and I barely got the trailer unhooked. As per manual, I drove 5mph and they finally released.
 
"He said it's the air suspension system failing. Overloading from the incline of the hill transferring too much tongue weight. It's causing the transmission to malfunction from the angle of the drive shaft."

The two have nothing to do with each other.

Honestly, you also didn't disclose in your first post about the air that the overload fault indicator was lit or the system disabled.

I hope the dealer can get it resolved for you.

After you get it resolved, I would suggest you use one of the suspension lockout options to disable the air from trying to level on uneven ground. You should also consider using 4-low if you're backing a heavy load up an incline.

TBH, I've had my truck since Mar 2020 and had zero issue with the air suspension and have backed my RV up enough inclines that if the system were inherently a "lemon" I would know by now.
 
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