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Split second wheel lock up and release over 50mph

Tiny
SFINA
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 DODGE RAM
  • 4.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 165,000 MILES
When driving on the highway at speeds over 50 miles per hour my wheels seem to occasionally lock up for a brief second causing a loud urch sound as if my tire just caught pavement and it releases just as quickly. This happens on or off the accelerator not when braking. It happens three to four times in a twenty Mile Stretch. It feels like the front wheels. I have changed the rear brake pads and rotors and the front pads. The caliper pistons go in just fine with a C clamp. It takes a little bit of force but they don't seem to be seizing. I have bled the breaks. When on jack stands there is no play in the tires so I do not think it could be wheel bearings, but I could be wrong. There are no other noises associated when driving or breaking. I do not see any visible damage anywhere under the truck. No check engine light or warnings on the dashboard. This is been happening consistently for three weeks. As a side note, because I have no idea what is causing this, I did just replace a fuel pump that failed two weeks after this problem started.
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Thursday, May 5th, 2016 AT 7:41 AM

13 Replies

Tiny
SFINA
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Because it is happening almost immediately after entering the highway I tried to recreate that scenario twice. What I did was slow down to 45 mph and then accelerated again to 62 mph and let up on the accelerator. Sure enough it happened both times. I was hopeful that this was problem with the brakes or abs malfunctioning but I am starting to think it could be something in the drivetrain. Only guessing as I am far from a mechanic.
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Thursday, May 5th, 2016 AT 7:56 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
There is a campaign for a pinion nut problem which could break the rear axle and or driveshaft. Your vehicle may be effected by this. It is number RC-P77-15 the dealer can run your VIN number to see if it is in the campaign. This may be your problem. There should be no cost to you to fix this. At the moment that is about the only thing I can think of unless it is a carrier bearing for drive-shaft or a u-joint causing the problem.
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+1
Thursday, May 5th, 2016 AT 8:19 AM
Tiny
SFINA
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Thank you, I will check it out. From what I read online, it seems like this would cause a complete seizure, not an intermittent lock up and release. Does that sound right?
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Thursday, May 5th, 2016 AT 9:50 AM
Tiny
SFINA
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Update - I tested several scenarios and videoed my dashboard. It happens mostly when I let off the accelerator between 60-62mph after accelerating from 40-45mph.
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Thursday, May 5th, 2016 AT 1:38 PM
Tiny
SFINA
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Also RPMs drop suddenly. Another side note. The problem started a few weeks after my cracked intake manifold was replaced. It sounds stupid, but I was reading online about one person's similar issue that was solved with a new intake manifold gasket. They said it was getting too much air.
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Thursday, May 5th, 2016 AT 2:17 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,949 POSTS
Can you put I link to the video so we can watch?
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Sunday, May 8th, 2016 AT 12:19 PM
Tiny
SFINA
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Sure, the video link is: https://youtu.be/43W2ykg-L-0
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Monday, May 9th, 2016 AT 10:09 AM
Tiny
SFINA
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
The first few seconds is edited in ffwd mode to show me getting up to 60mph. Then I repeat the jerking action 2 times in slower speeds.
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Monday, May 9th, 2016 AT 10:11 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,949 POSTS
It really seems like what Hmac300 says is the problem, to confirm drain the gear oil and look for metal partials this will tell you the gears are coming apart, I wouldn't drive it anymore until the problem is fixed, the next step is compete lock up which can be dangerous.
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Tuesday, May 10th, 2016 AT 12:08 PM
Tiny
SFINA
  • MEMBER
  • 15 POSTS
Transmission shop ran the computer while driving and is finding a binding of the transmission when shifting from 4th to 5th gear. Still unsure of the problem causing this however. Typically this would cause more issues and you would see metal shavings in the transmission fluid but we aren't.
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Tuesday, May 10th, 2016 AT 12:57 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,949 POSTS
It could be the computer trying to shift into two gears at once, in this care the computer is bad and needs replacement.
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+2
Tuesday, May 10th, 2016 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
ISAAC 123
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have a 2005 Dakota with a 4.7 4x4 with the same problem. Just wondering if you were able to identify the problem and get it fixed.
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Sunday, October 3rd, 2021 AT 7:28 PM
Tiny
SQM
  • MECHANIC
  • 6,383 POSTS
Hello ISSAC 123,

If you would please open a new thread and explain to us the exact issue that you are having.
This way it will be at the top for all the experts to see.

Just go to this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Thank you very much.
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Monday, October 11th, 2021 AT 1:01 PM

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