Dragging noise

ROWDYB

MEMBER
1997 DODGE RAM
V8
4WD
MANUAL
144,000 MILES

I am hoping you can help, my 97 dodge ram is making a dragging noise from the rear, It seems to do it when I first start out in 1st and 2nd gear. I took it in and had them check the parking brake shoe and cable I had read online to start there. Both were fine. They put it up on the rack and could not duplicate the sound and of course it wasn't doing it when I took it in. They opened the pumpkin and looked at the fluid and for metal shavings and the fluid looked great and they found no metal. It doesn't do it all the time, in fact it hadn't done it for 2 weeks then did it the other day. I read online that it sounded like I might have a worn ring and pinion.
I live an hour out of town, and don't want to get stranded or do more harm.
Any ideas you might have would be greatly appreciated.
Terri

3 Replies

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Try driving in a circle one way and see if noise is there then the other if you drive in a lh circle and hear noise then it may be the wheel bearing opposite for opposite direction. Also a lot of times rust gets hung up between backing plate and brake drum and makes noise til it goes away. Alos check for a loose or broken shield around converter as the rivets break and it makes noise while driving.