So driving home, I was in 4wd from our recent snowfall. Half way home suddenly I start hearing a chirp noise. It's oscillating as well. It Will make the noise going down hill but mostly When under load.

If I take it out of 4wd, it Will fade away... What is it? Can I still use my 4wd?

Front driveshaft?

I'm thinking it might be a u joint in the front driveshaft. Went on rock auto and I'm overwhelmed with the selection of I joints to choose from. Which joints?

I had a 01 ram gas. Did the same thing. It was the front shaft. I drove for awhile before i replace the whole shaft. U can take it out and move the joints around to see which one is seizing up. 

I had a similar noise recently and it was a front hub.  I'd pull the hubcaps and touch everything to see if it's warm.

It only makes the noise While in 4wd. Iirc, the front prop shaft doesn't spin in 2wd right?

If you have a cad axle it shouldn't spin.  I don't have a cad.

I have a CAD. I didn't realize the front shaft had a slip yoke. Anyone know what u joint is most likely to go out in the front? Having trouble narrowing it down to what type I have in the shafts in the front. The local parts store wasn't very helpful.

Is the double cardan unit hard to pull apart if they are the culprit?

I've removed it, but never replaced them.  I found I had to remove the front yoke, then maneuver the shaft around with a jackstand to get access to the bolts holding the cardan onto the transfer case.  

I would call the stealership and get their part#'s for them and then cross check to order from another retailer. Replace all there are. If your going through the effort to replace one it only takes 10 min to do another.

Edited January 13, 20169 yr by eddielee

Check out this YOU TUBE video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O557x8hbdW8

2 hours ago, eddielee said:

 Replace all there are. If your going through the effort to replace one it only takes 10 min to do another.

If you have the driveshaft down do all the u-joints