Times Have Changed - Rear Diff Bad/Down for Days

[gtwitch]

On the coolant issue, I worked my way through college as a line mechanic and my shop forman trained all of the line mechanics that if we were going to reuse the coolant (which was a regular procedure back then) to strain thru a paint filter (from the paint guys) which got most of the dirt/particles and I have done this for 50+ years since and never had any bad luck doing so! I wish the warrantee folks and the District Reps could all get on the same page and talk with each other in different districts around the country, is it FCA only (I do not think so)! I think all of the majors are like that, but think Honda and Toyota are better at that, IMHO
gtwitch in wyoming
gtwitch in wyoming

 

[PT02063]

Well, I took the "howling dog" back to Mac Haik CJDR on Wednesday. They begged me to bring it back so they can make it right. They called me yesterday to ask me to come in today to take their "30 year mechanic" on a test drive so he could hear it as he stated his test drive revealed nothing. I went on a drive with him this morning and he stated the howl/whine was definitely there above 70 mph and increased in sound as you went to 80 mph. He stated this is normal operation but he would be happy to check the rear diff to see if he could find anything. By the time I got back to the dealership I was simply done with Mac Haik. I told the Service Guy that his mechanic did his job explaining to me that it was normal and I took my truck home. I'll remake the appointment with Gillman to get it diagnosed as I didn't want Mac Haik working on it again.

P.S. I also own a 2017 Ram 2500 Laramie Megacab CTD and it does not make the sound at any speed (which I stated to the mechanic) so I know it can't be a normal sound.

 

[Wayne M.]

Doing the right thing.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Yea, what Wayne said - you are doing the right thing!

Maybe this "30 year tech" is like me... I now have to take my 21 year old with me to say - do you hear any noise?

So, yea, everything sounds "normal" - just a constant high pitch hum/tone.

 

[PT02063]

I took the "howling dog" into Finnegan CJDR in Rosenberg today and Sal, the Service Manager, had his Shop Manager go for a drive with me on the highway. As soon as I hit 70 mph he could hear the sound and it increased up to 80 (stopping only during deceleration). He smiled and said it was in the pinion and asked if I could bring it in next Tuesday morning for his star mechanic to fix. Needless to say, I have an appointment on Tuesday and he promised they will get this fixed in the first visit. Will let you all know but was nice to hear a certified mechanic state "That noise is not normal!"

 

[Cummins12V98]

12v, I don't know what FCA recommends as part of the water pump recall campaign but its not an improper repair practice to re use extended life anti freeze. in fact its common practice.

lets face it, maybe your dealer likes you because you are a good customer and they think you will return to buy another vehicle. so they give you a freebie.. but they have to top off the cooling system when finished either way they do it, and no dealer in the world can sell poortions of unused but previously opened product.

stuff is good for five years , 150k.

I know you don't have much mechanical experience in the real world, but you are good at telling everybody what they should demand and I will give you credit for that

I am repeating what I have read on here and other places. If re using they should strain thru cheesecloth. But they won't do that. They are paid to use new coolant plain and simple.

Too funny you know so much about me! I have never spent a dime at the Dealer that did my recalls but they sure have treated me well for not buying my truck from them.

I was offered a full time mechanic job when I was much younger but chose to be a Carpenter and later Superintendent making much more $$$.

But yet nice you know so much about me.

 

[Wayne M.]

I took the "howling dog" into Finnegan CJDR in Rosenberg today and Sal, the Service Manager, had his Shop Manager go for a drive with me on the highway. As soon as I hit 70 mph he could hear the sound and it increased up to 80 (stopping only during deceleration). He smiled and said it was in the pinion and asked if I could bring it in next Tuesday morning for his star mechanic to fix. Needless to say, I have an appointment on Tuesday and he promised they will get this fixed in the first visit. Will let you all know but was nice to hear a certified mechanic state "That noise is not normal!"

That’s excellent news! Please let us know what the wind up was.

 

[muchsnow]

For the Water Pump recall, the invoice states:

Necessary replaced water pump. re used coolant, bled system. test drove vehicle to verify proper operation.

Well, this gives me a level of confidence that they used a clean container, didn't get any dirt or crap off the underside as they were draining it, and the "re used" coolant is not polluting the internals. I already know there has to be some on the floor as it isn't full like it was before...then again, thank God they didn't mop it up, use a wringer and pour that back into the radiator too!

They did my water-pump, now the antifreeze is more pink/red than the original purple...... I hate my service department.... wonder how you test for the right antifreeze or contaminated antifreeze?

 

[6V92TA]

much snow, about all most of us can do to test anti freeze is use a refractometer to measure its freeze point. I suppose you could use test strips to measure its PH but to be honest color doesn't matter. that just dye factories use when making the stuff.

 

[PT02063]

Update on the rear differential: I dropped my truck off at Finnegan CJDR on Monday evening and they put me in a loaner Pacifica. Last night they called to inform me they ordered a complete rear differential kit for my truck and that it should be here on Friday. He indicated I would be picking my truck up on late Monday or Tuesday if everything goes as planned. I asked him what was wrong and he simply stated they were replacing the rear differential gears. Will see on Monday or Tuesday how they did but at least this is a lot better movement that I ever saw at Mac Haik.

 

[PT02063]

I got my truck back today and Finnegan CJDR did what Mac Haik couldn't - they used mechanical abilities, parts and some elbow grease to eliminate the howl.

The warranty invoice states "Excessive pinion gear wear. Removed differential cover found excessive wear on pinion gear, replaced with ring and pinion set, pinion bearings, crush sleeve and seal adjust. Test ok now."

The invoice indicates the following were replaced:
68237720AA Seal - Drive Pinion
5086907AA Bearing - Drive Pinion
68237717AA Bearing - Drive Pinion
68237814AA Gear Kit - Ring and pinion
68210057AB Lubricant - Gear
5086767AC Gasket - Axle Shaft

The Service Advisor couldn't state the cause of the wear but simply they were able to fix it. I took it out on the highway and yes, the howl is 100% gone. It is amazing what one shop can do that the other couldn't. Needless to say, Finnegan CJDR will be getting a ten star survey submitted when I get it from FCA as they did a great job, ensured I had a loaner for the entire time and presented me with a newly washed truck when I picked it up!

 

[jhenderson]

Glad you finally made out well.

 

[24vctd]

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.

How did you make out with you rearend repair. Mine is humming too.

 

[PT02063]

See up a
Couple of posts and you’ll see what they replaced to fix it.

 

[24vctd]

How did you make out with you rearend repair. Mine is humming too.

Sorry i didnt see your response,how long did it take to get the truck back and did they hear the hum on a road test?

 

[PT02063]

Keep reading my post a little further up on April 19.
Dropped it off on a Monday evening and picked it up the following Monday.

 

[jgillott]

How does the 4th gen rear axle assembly differ from the 3rd gen offerings?

 

[Lynx0849]

When i had the pinion nut recall done on my ‘05 1500, they replaced the pinion and ring and then i had the howl.

Turned out they got the backlash wrong (or so they said). After correcting it, the howl was gone.

Now the truck is gone too... traded for a ‘15 3500 Cummins Aisin with 60k on the clock. [emoji16]


Pro

 

[6V92TA]

When i had the pinion nut recall done on my ‘05 1500, they replaced the pinion and ring and then i had the howl.

Turned out they got the backlash wrong (or so they said). After correcting it, the howl was gone.
Pro

yeah, when they just remove the pinion nut in order to do some type of external repair, they have to count exactly how many turns it took to remove the pinion nut, and re install the nut the exact amount of turns or it will upset the backlash in the diff.

 

[NIsaacs]

Not sure how you would "exactly" count the off turns or on turns. With a crush sleeve adjusted pinion axle you just make sure you don't crush it beyond the original setting, when you change a seal or whatever. On some axles that use shims, don't disturb them and tighten the sucker down, nothing will change. Backlash is adjusted by pinion depth and ring gear setting. Even if you did over tighten and crush the sleeve it, would just make tight pinion bearings, the depth will not change so the back lash won't change.

Nick