96 Ram Transmission Clatter

[nateboro]

(Sorry this is a little long, please read though) I have a 96 Ram 1500 Automatic and only in the last few days have I heard a clatter coming from underneath the cab of the truck. I've been reading other entries and I've seen that this could also be caused by the cat' converter. I've been under the truck while it's running and it sounds like it's coming from the tranny. Fluid level is fine and I'm experiencing no shifting problems. How can I discern where the noise is coming from. AND... in each scenario, what is the solution to solving my little problem. Or big problem! Thanks a lot. Nate
Also FYI, the check engine light came on two weeks ago and told me the prior to cat' O2 sensor was bad. I replaced it and the light went out. Could this somehow be related to the noise if it is the cat'? I've checked the tightness of the O2 sensor I installed and it's not rattling.
(15 minutes later)
OK this just in. So, I went out there with my stethoscope this time. The noise would only come in as I revved the engine up and would linger for a little while after that. It seemed to stay longer as it warmed up. I didn't hear anything from the tranny, quiet as a mouse. The cat' seemed to be making a grinding noise (through the stethoscope) but without it, the noise is hollow and knocking like. One more thing, sorry guys. I noticed the exhaust was more "smoky" than I've seen before. It put out white "smoke" as I revved up the engine. OK thanks a lot for any replies.

[tregan]

I have a 97 ram and I also hear a rattle at idle and upon slight acceleration and deceleration. I was told the cat had broken up inside and needed to be replaced.

[littlebit]

Originally Posted by nateboro

(Sorry this is a little long, please read though) I have a 96 Ram 1500 Automatic and only in the last few days have I heard a clatter coming from underneath the cab of the truck. I've been reading other entries and I've seen that this could also be caused by the cat' converter. I've been under the truck while it's running and it sounds like it's coming from the tranny. Fluid level is fine and I'm experiencing no shifting problems. How can I discern where the noise is coming from. AND... in each scenario, what is the solution to solving my little problem. Or big problem! Thanks a lot. Nate
Also FYI, the check engine light came on two weeks ago and told me the prior to cat' O2 sensor was bad. I replaced it and the light went out. Could this somehow be related to the noise if it is the cat'? I've checked the tightness of the O2 sensor I installed and it's not rattling.
(15 minutes later)
OK this just in. So, I went out there with my stethoscope this time. The noise would only come in as I revved the engine up and would linger for a little while after that. It seemed to stay longer as it warmed up. I didn't hear anything from the tranny, quiet as a mouse. The cat' seemed to be making a grinding noise (through the stethoscope) but without it, the noise is hollow and knocking like. One more thing, sorry guys. I noticed the exhaust was more "smoky" than I've seen before. It put out white "smoke" as I revved up the engine. OK thanks a lot for any replies.

I had the exact same problem with mine same year and all!Took the truck to my mechanic,He told me to tahe the cover off of the flywheel which i did and found all the bolts on the flywheel were loose.Took the bolts out one at a time and applied loctite and retorqued.It will take 2 people to fix.Someone has to hold the flywheel while the other tightens the bolts

[rampickupguy]

With an automatic transmission, you shouldn't have a flywheel. You should have a flexplate.

My truck rattles at idle and I too assume it to be the cat. I just keep driving it because it doesn't bother me much.

[BleedDodge]

If the cat is rattling that means it's broken. If it's broken that means it will eventually move enough to block the exhaust path, and then the motor won't run. You could end up stranded somewhere.

It happened to me.

[rampickupguy]

Originally Posted by BleedDodge

If the cat is rattling that means it's broken. If it's broken that means it will eventually move enough to block the exhaust path, and then the motor won't run. You could end up stranded somewhere.

It happened to me.

How much did you pay to have a cat put on?

Did you just replace the cat or the rest of the system? My 96 has 126K on it.

Thanks.

[BleedDodge]

I think it was about 120 bucks, but it was a universal converter. The original converter was bigger than this one.

When it was on the hoist I had the old echo chambers taken off, new pipes bent to the sides and bigger echo chambers put on, so there was more work done when I did this new cat. Around 120 Canadian dollars I guess for just the converter itself.

[littlebit]

Originally Posted by rampickupguy

With an automatic transmission, you shouldn't have a flywheel. You should have a flexplate.

My truck rattles at idle and I too assume it to be the cat. I just keep driving it because it doesn't bother me much.

It might shouldn't have but it does!