On my 96 Dodge 2500 diesel w/ 5 spd. it has had a slight clanging when I shift into 4 wheeldrive but I don't use the 4 wheel drive much at all. I did have a bad front Ujoint on th front drive shaft and I thought that was the noise I heard but I changed the ujoint yesterday and today I went out and did a bit more than my usual wheeling and I knoticed the clanging is still there and I feel a jerk when there is a clank also when I first shifted into 4WD I also heard a grinding sound. it sounded as if there were gears trying to mesh.The banging noise was bad enogh to get me to abandon my Wheeling and head for home.
The noise seems to be comming from the transfer case but I'm wondering if it might be the vacumn disconect on the front axle.
I also had the out put shaft snapring break a couple months ago this is the 2nd time I had to replace that ring.
Any ideas where to start looking?