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Well, it’s broken:(

NorthStar

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No, but it still shouldn't have broke like that. Slowly backing out of a driveway shouldn't break anything.
Agreed however use of 4LO should be the last thing you utilize before calling a tow truck or a buddy you’re mud bogging with to pull you out of extremely deep snow or mud.
 

devildodge

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Did you make the 4low shift in neutral?

Or did you push the button while in park and then shift to drive when proceeding to pull out?

Must make the shift to 4low while in neutral.

Very interesting breakage. Very odd
 

Shots

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Just wondering, doesn't the RAM manual (or other sources) say you MUST be driving at a low speed in order to switch to 4-low? Other modes, 2wd, 4-auto and 4 high can be switched at a stationary position (or while moving)?
thanks!
That's what my '14 Ram's manual said, but the '21 says you can do it stopped too.
Per the manual, 4LO should be selected at 2-3 MPH or stopped. Before selecting 4LO you are supposed to shift the transmission into neutral, then engage 4LO, then shift back into drive.
 

devildodge

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The key to 4low is neutral. You can shift stopped. But it is best to be coasting to allow the gears to mesh.

Same with 4hi/auto...you can do it stopped but best to be moving.

4low must be done in neutral.
 

OleNavyMane

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Story time everyone,
So I’m in New England, just south of Boston. Yesterday about midday, I decided that I’m going to the gym before the snow gets to bad and I actually have to shovel my truck out. (There’s about a foot in front of my driveway from the plows). So I start the ol’Rebel up for about 10 mins, slam some Pre Workout and it’s time. I put the truck into 4Low, lock the locker (because why not), then proceeded to inch forward; I feel resistance… give a little gas, she starts to crawl…. Then !!!POP**CLUNk**!!! I stop. Put it in reverse, the clunk gets worse! So I back her up back into my drive way. Proceed to shovel everything around the truck so I can crawl under… the Transfer case snap off the bolts and the front drive shaft is laying on the sway bar :(

Now the feeling of (my damn new truck is broken [1100 miles]) + a two scooper of Pre Workout is sitting in my dome piece… please sweet baby Jesus I hope the dealership doesn’t say I was doing dumb **** and broke it!!
Fluids levels? I read somewhere on here that others were experiencing harsh noises and vibes coming from the rear diffs. Reportedly, it's because some MY22s were being shipped with low fluid levels in the rear diffs. If that is the case, is it possible that the front-end transfer case could also have been improperly filled?

This is definitely not a happy story on a Monday morning. I'm sorry this happened to your brand new truck and hopefully the folks at your dealership take care of this--and you.
 

JF19Longhorn

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Wow! ..that sucks!

Like everyone said, play dumb.. don't offer any info. Either way, it should be covered as it doesn't sound like you did anything wrong, but why give them any opportunity to weasel their way out.
 

KWKSLVR

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Not sure why many of you are hung up on him using the rear locker. That would have no effect on the front driveshaft breaking. And I use my rear locker to "play" quite a bit
I agree, I don't see the relationship either.

Also, if he was not in neutral and tried to go into 4WD Low and the truck actually did it, then it's a defect from the factory.
 

SD Rebel

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Again, there isn't an issue here with using 4WD Low in his situation, the E-Locker can actually function up to 40 mph in 4WD Low, where as in 2WD or 4WD High, it only functions up to 20 mph. Either way, he was pulling out of his garage, he wasn't even going 1 mph when his truck had the issue, he only moved a few feet and then backed it into his garage.

Yes, ideally he should he have been in 4WD High since it was snowy and he wasn't off-roading, and you also want to avoid using your E-Locker on the street, but again, pulling out of his garage.
 

22Rebel_USCG

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I’ve been driving four wheel drive SUVs and trucks since the 1970’s, and have used 4LO only twice - in 3-1/2’ of snow on an icy road in a mountain pass at night in Alaska and I was creeping along to ensure I didn’t spend the night in the ditch (wherever it was) in the middle of nowhere. 4HI has always been sufficient. Granted, the front DS shouldn’t have snapped but I’m curious why you choose 4LO or is it a typo? Have you driven it in 4LO before?
I was just using it to get out of the driveway, the option was there and the truck only has 1200 on it. I figured it couldn’t hurt, I had no idea why it broke like that. The fastest the truck was moving was maybe 2/3 MPH
 

devildodge

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I was just using it to get out of the driveway, the option was there and the truck only has 1200 on it. I figured it couldn’t hurt, I had no idea why it broke like that. The fastest the truck was moving was maybe 2/3 MPH
Did you make the shift to 4low in neutral?

Did the shift complete before you selected drive?

The driveshaft breaking is very surprising.

Was your steering turned when moving forward?
 

22Rebel_USCG

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It’s at the dealership and they are getting me a rental later today…
Did you make the shift to 4low in neutral?

Did the shift complete before you selected drive?

The driveshaft breaking is very surprising.

Was your steering turned when moving forward?
I was in neutral when engaging both 4wd and the E locket. It was working completely fine till I started to move forward and hit any resistance. Gave it a little throttle (was not enough to start a spin), I did turn the wheel and then the sadness happened. The only thing that I can think of is when the wheel was turned, it put leverage on the housing, and the metal was cold enough that it became brittle.
 

22Rebel_USCG

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noun:

clunk; plural noun: clunks

1. a heavy, dull sound such as that made by thick pieces of metal striking together. "there was a clunk under my truck when I tried to simply drive out of my F’ing driveway"
Hey Bay Area, I just moved to Boston from Vacaville… I would never of had to worry about this there… just ash getting all over the paint lol
 

djevox

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This is disturbing. I’m going to have to test mine out before I install my leveling kit in a couple days.
 

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