Times Have Changed - Rear Diff Bad/Down for Days

[PT02063]

2017 Ram 2500 CTD Laramie developed a hum when accelerating at speeds of 65 mph and higher at about 6900 miles. I took it in yesterday for an oil change and inspection of the issue, and they ultimately agree there is an issue with the rear differential. He said they need to contract Chrysler Warranty Administrator to get permission to open it up and see what is going on...never heard of this but was surprised when he said they will have it until "at least Monday". 7200 miles and they need "permission" from Chrysler to fix it. Am amazed but nothing prepared me for the shock of being given a 2017 Soccer Mom Dodge Caravan to drive in lieu of my $60K Tow the World truck.

 

[Bob4x4]

All major power train repairs get special attention.On the plus side FCA is learning the root cause for major issues so they can be corrected and implemented into production in a timely manner.When the dealer follows the process correctly it happens pretty quickly

 

[Bob4x4]

The Dealer does not need permission to inspect it.

 

[EDankievitch]

They should be able to open it cover just as if you were going to change the lube. Although they might want the service rep to hear it and see what comes out of it. Then there would be No doubt that there is a real issue with it. If they open it up then they would have to refill it with clean lube. service Rep sees clean lube not the ugly stuff that was in it could delay you getting it fix correctly.

 

[PT02063]

The good news is the Service Manager keeps calling me morning and afternoon with an update. I was just shocked the dealer won't crack open the rear diff to inspect an issue they acknowledge is there (I can see through UConnect on my phone that they've put 29 miles on the truck test driving it for diagnosis - and most likely to get pizza for the shop lunch) until they get permission from Chrysler Corporate. The truck has been flawless since I purchased it in October 2017 and my thought was they'd throw in a new bearing and problem solved.

 

[Newsa]

The Dealer does not need permission to inspect it.

I took my 2013 Ram 2500 in Monday evening to get a coolant flush and T51 Recall performed. I already had known about right rear axle seal weepage. And it was so slow of a "leak" that I was not concerned about it. They did call me back and advised me to get the rear axle seal replaced before my 5 years power train warranty expired. Did not need the truck this week, so they are doing the axle seal. Does not sound like they needed permission. I have a sight glass on my rear diff. And in 9 months, I've seen no evidence of fluid level drop. I can see the fluid level go up when the fluid is hot and down when cold. I wonder if the temp changes affected axle seal life? Like maybe it seals better before the metal and fluid expand?

 

[Newsa]

They should be able to open it cover just as if you were going to change the lube. Although they might want the service rep to hear it and see what comes out of it. Then there would be No doubt that there is a real issue with it. If they open it up then they would have to refill it with clean lube. service Rep sees clean lube not the ugly stuff that was in it could delay you getting it fix correctly.

Most of them don't take off the differential cover when doing a lube service/lube change. They instead just suck (vacuum) out the old lube through the fill port and refill.

 

[Bob4x4]

Most of them don't take off the differential cover when doing a lube service/lube change. They instead just suck (vacuum) out the old lube through the fill port and refill.

Every dealer I’ve been at removes the cover to service diff. There is always the chance that an individual may be a flat rater and operate outside policy

 

[Newsa]

Every dealer I’ve been at removes the cover to service diff. There is always the chance that an individual may be a flat rater and operate outside policy

Sam Leman in Peoria, illimois doesn't. That's what the service writer told me. He also told me they don't stock Mopar (parts dept) conventional lube for diffs. Just synthetic.

But i was happy with their service. They lubed my front drive shsft even though i had already done it.

 

[6V92TA]

Every dealer I’ve been at removes the cover to service diff. There is always the chance that an individual may be a flat rater and operate outside policy

there is a shortage of mechanics, so what you find in dealerships is they hire and train their car wash/porter type guys to work as lube techs and they train those car wash type employees to use a few machines and the dealership tolerates these low skilled guys futz ups along the line hoping that over time they can turn these car porters into somebody with a little more skill who might be able to fix a car while at the same time not commanding much money. LOL there is a reason a toolbox has wheels. .

hence the dealership tries to sell profitable transmission flushes and differential services while employing lower skilled guys using machinery instead of tools to do the job. knowing these less skilled employees can't mess it up except if they don't get the fluid level correctly and also with the understanding that most vehicle owners never know the difference.

 

[jgillott]

Every dealer I’ve been at removes the cover to service diff. There is always the chance that an individual may be a flat rater and operate outside policy

By what you have posted over the years, I can tell that you worked at quality dealerships and took pride in your individual work. Unfortunately however, I'm afraid however that you are the exception to the rule in many cases.

 

[jelag]

I found the same to be the case with an un-expected repair on a New HOnda Goldwing, what I learned was that most deep repairs that are not expected required factory approval as the factory assumes in-correCT diagnosis. So the dealer has to wait so that a factory level tech helps the dealer through the process.

YOU WANT THAT, so some screw ball doesn't do more damage when testing and later repair.

Just my personal thoughts

 

[RBertalotto]

What diff cover has a sight glass to see level.......Need to know! Thanks

 

[DonFitzwater]

What diff cover has a sight glass to see level.......Need to know! Thanks

Mag Hytec from Geno's Garage

 

[Newsa]

I have the AFE power. Had to purchase the sight glass separately

 

[Bob4x4]

What diff cover has a sight glass to see level.......Need to know! Thanks

AFE has a sight glass also

 

[PT02063]

Well, I got my truck back last night.

Water Pump - Replaced per recall but antifreeze couldn't be seen when I went out start it this morning.
Oil change w/filter - Replaced. Wipers go on high even when on intermittent - Fixed.
Howl from rear end - "Chrysler had us make some adjustments to the rear end and then put some additive in the differential so that should help...want a pair of earplugs?"

Bottom line, still there and nothing has changed. Hey, at least I got the water pump replaced. Will take to another dealer who knows a little more about differentials.

 

[KATOOM]

Been following this thread and really surprised the dealer didnt (couldnt?) fix the diff howl.....

 

[PT02063]

I too was shocked since they had it for a week. He insisted the would make "adjustments" per direction from FCA and take it for a test drive but it was still there. Then FCA would tell them to do a different "adjustment" and then another test drive but still there. He said they finally had them crack open the diff and all looks "perfect" so FCA had them refill it and put an "additive in it to help quiet it down". I chuckled as I didn't know the 2500 rear axle had that many adjustments - other than the old GM Quadrasteer pickups in the early 2000's and those were on the 1/2 tons. So, now I have a $65,000 truck that sounds like a howling dog hauling ***** down the highway. Have been a Mopar fan since the late 60's and loved every one of my Rams including the K-Car we owned after my wife and I got married - but - they need to do a little better with their Service Departments.

 

[Bob4x4]

Forget what they TOLD you what is written on the repair order for the customer concern and again for the repair performed on the repair order.