MY '85 Ramcharger has the typical axle wrap problem that sometimes produces a BANG when I leave from a stop.
I replaced my rear shocks and that helped. IT doesn't't do it as often but it is still there. Someone told me the problem is the lifting blocks used in the factory. I have 31" T/A on the truck and taller than stock tires make the problem worse.
Hmm, I checked it out. Sure enough there are 3" blocks between the axle and spring.
NOW, what is the solution for this problem Taller springs like in a lift kit?
How have some of you solved this problem?
BANG!
:SHK:
carguy2
08-29-2002, 11:35 PM
Most of Dodge 4 x 4's have the blocks. Check your u-joints. this, or something will give you the bang.
Dr. Righteous
09-03-2002, 12:55 PM
NOPE
All the U joints are new.
Something is going on with the rear axle.
mopatrick
09-19-2002, 10:07 PM
I have an 87 Ramcharger that has an 4 inch lift and when this was done I had "Kicker" shocks installed which help reduce axle movement on the blocks. They run horizontal from the frame to the rear axle. I'll let you know when I post a picture. My trucks "bangs" slightly but its from the transfer case and the fact that I have over 150,000 miles on the original driveline. U-joints are new and driveshaft is balanced and rebuilt. The bang hasn't gotten any worse in years so i don't worry until something breaks. Good Luck on you're truck!
-Mopatrick "Mark"
Uselessdog
10-23-2002, 02:48 AM
You might want to remove the inspection cover from the rear axle
and have a look at the gears. You could have a broken tooth on
one of the side gears or pinion gears. If everything is OK in there
the most likely cause is universal joint bind caused by the angle
change when starting off. Even though the U-joints are new they
can bind if the axle tilts too much when torque is applied to it. The
blocks give it more leverage against the springs so it can get quite
a bit of wind-up under a heavy torque load. Stiffer/heavier springs
might help but would certainly not help the ride. There have been
many different devises made over the years to control this problem
on many different vehicles. One of the off-road suspension specialty
companies like Rancho probably has a setup for your vehicle that
would control the axle and maybe allow you to lift it at the same
time, as well as get rid of those spacer blocks from the factory. Good
luck
78 W200 Diesel
93 W350 Diesel
vconyers
11-10-2002, 11:41 AM
The banging is when you come to a stop and then take off. Right! I've had it on every Ramcharger that I've owned. Make sure the slipjoint in the drive shaft is well lubed thats where it comes from. When you stop the axil tends to pull towards the rear, When you take off it tends to be shoved forward. If you take your foot off the brake and let the truck move before pressing the gas the bang should be less severe.Spring wrapup and spring eye bushing wear are the problem.
Dr. Righteous
11-10-2002, 03:26 PM
I had the drive line check at a drive line shop. They said everthing was in perfect condition.
NOW< what is a 'kicker' shock and where do I get one for this truck???
vconyers
11-11-2002, 08:18 PM
Its not that the slipjoint is bad its just under pressure when you stop with the axil pulled towards the back then you take off and the slip joint holds untill its forced forward by the forword motion and then Bang. Rancho made a kicker shock for the application at one time.
jwm
12-27-2002, 11:36 AM
When I was younger I had a 79 Ford F-250 with the factory 4 in block and 1 8 in block on top of that. The axle wrap was so bad the rear tires would hit the front of the rear fender well. I made track bars that hooked to the rear shock mounts and ran them to a plate droped from the frame under the front part of the cab, that got rid of all the axle wrap, was cheap to make and looked pretty cool too!
