2003 dually Quadcab 4x4 differential problems

[jstewart]

My truck has 36,000 miles on it and I think that the rear differential is going out. The characteristics it has are a shudder when slowing down. no noise that I can hear. The fluid was 1-quart low and I replaced this. It does not show any signs of a leak however. It is a locking differential. #@$%!



The truck is now at the dealer awaiting diagnosis. Any one else with gen 3 drive line problems? This was the first year for American axle

 

[Slow Six]

U-joint or joints. That is one of the symptoms of a dry joint and your mileage is about as long as they go. If you want do a search as there has been many on this topic. Most of us have gone to greaseables.

 

[RVTRKN]

To have 1 quart low without a leak is not good. Maybe you checked rite after a long run. I learned this the semi hard way, I stopped at a Jiffy-lube on a 250 mile trip, half way through and had the oil changed in my old 94 2500HD gasser and the employee told me that my rear diff was real low. I gave him permission and 5000 miles latter when I was changing the fluids due to major service on my brakes and related equipment I found oil in my rear brakes (hmmm! I wonder were that came from) and checked the rear diff level and the oil poured out. Bottom line was the diff was never low and the problem never exsisted but that Jiffy-lube employee made more commission on the sale, I'll never go back to them. The issue I think was the oil was in the axle tubes from the long drive. Let your truck sit 24hrs and check it.

 

[Bob V]

Some of the 03s full level is BELOW the fill plug

2004 TSB's

 

[Shelby Griggs]

U-joint or joints. That is one of the symptoms of a dry joint and your mileage is about as long as they go. If you want do a search as there has been many on this topic. Most of us have gone to greaseables.

He is at 36K, right?



Are the 3rd Gens that junky?



I have 210K on my 2001. 5, never a U joint problem on the drivelines or the front axle!



SHG

 

[Bob V]

Yep, the 3 gen u-joints don't seem to last, not enough lube from the factory.

 

[jstewart]

Differential Mistake

I originally reported a bad rear differential on my truck and it turned out to be a U-joint as many of you have been saying. I took the truck to a local and he did not have time to work on it until week after next. He told me without looking that he thought it was the Pinion bearing... but he had never felt a symptom like it before. That is when I thought hey the drive-train is still in warranty. So I got it fixed for $100 American at Dodge. I am glad that I did not have to pay more than that. If I had known I would have insisted on a greasible U-joint. I have not checked closely but I believe that the replacement did not have zerks.



Thanks for the help. This truck overall is better by far than my 95 but I miss that 12-valve.