2015 3500 Ram 2 WDR Dually Standard Cab

[Dutch & Di]

I am concerned about the 410 differential in our truck that has a small amount of chatter when turning at
low speeds. I questioned a Service Manager in Missoula Montana & he told me they had 1 2015 3500 dually
whose rear destroyed itself 3 times.
I see in my black book that an additive is not to be used in the American Axle differentials. This is a
serious concern since we tow a 38' triple axle 5th wheel {total weight 29,800 pounds}. Present mileage
about 21,700.
All comments and opinions re welcome. Dutch Irrgang

 

[Newsa]

I am concerned about the 410 differential in our truck that has a small amount of chatter when turning at
low speeds. I questioned a Service Manager in Missoula Montana & he told me they had 1 2015 3500 dually
whose rear destroyed itself 3 times.
I see in my black book that an additive is not to be used in the American Axle differentials. This is a
serious concern since we tow a 38' triple axle 5th wheel {total weight 29,800 pounds}. Present mileage
about 21,700.
All comments and opinions re welcome. Dutch Irrgang

Take the rear plate off of your differential, and take a look. Replace the fluid with 75/110 synthetic or 75/140 synthetic. I did mine at 16,000 even though I had no problems.

The gasket is reusable. Torque it to specs. Save the fluid and receipts.

Or pay the dealer to check it out.

 

[Jeff Knight]

https://www.turbodieselregister.com...-3500-Aisin-airbags-4-10-rear-end-rumble-Help!!! good reading here.

 

[Kirwin]

Dutch, I have the same differential as you, I changed my differential oil at 19,600, the oil was darker and looked about like Cummins12V98s with about the same amount of gray wear products on the magnet. I had the same differential in my 03 (with 3.73 ratio) and I changed it for the first time at 20,900 and the oil looked new. There were some wear producers in the case but no magnet so they were dispersed. I cleaned the case and installed a Maghytec pan and at the next change it looked brand new.

I have occasionally had what I would call growl or chatter when traveling a long time in a straight line such as 4 lane towing and when I get off on the exit ramp the first turn can sometimes feel a growl of shudder when the differential slips for the first time. Is that what your feeling?

 

[Dutch & Di]

Dutch said to tell you Thank You. He will either try to do that himself as soon as he gets his strength back or see if a dodge dealer will help us out. Thanks again. Hugs, Di

 

[Hoefler]

Change the lube. Service interval is 15,000 miles when towing frequently.

 

[Kirwin]

Yeah that's what some maintenance schedules say. Then other say 2 years or 20K miles. The latest online maintenance schedules (except for Cab and Chassis trucks) say 2 years or 20K miles for frequent trailer towing.

Change the lube. Service interval is 15,000 miles when towing frequently.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I am concerned about the 410 differential in our truck that has a small amount of chatter when turning at
low speeds. I questioned a Service Manager in Missoula Montana & he told me they had 1 2015 3500 dually
whose rear destroyed itself 3 times.
I see in my black book that an additive is not to be used in the American Axle differentials. This is a
serious concern since we tow a 38' triple axle 5th wheel {total weight 29,800 pounds}. Present mileage
about 21,700.
All comments and opinions re welcome. Dutch Irrgang

Hi Dutch and Di

I tow a combined load of 33K and my rear was starting to "GRAB" taking off from a stop when towing. I mis read my manual I thought it was 24K change interval. I was wrong it's 15K!!!

My fluid was VERY dark with surprising very little wear metals on magnet for that mileage and first change. I sent a sample to Blackstone listed below. The lube was no longer suitable for service.

I have not towed yet but I changed out to AMZ/OIL 75-110 SevereGear as recommended by AMZ/OIL.

Mine started acting up at around your mileage.Get your lube changed and carry on!

 

[mpaulson]

As said, and the manual says, these axles DO NOT require the friction modifier,,, BUT, when I changed the diff oil this spring on my truck(Ram oil) I instantly had the chattering. I stopped in at my local dealer who I know well and they sent a tech out to drop a bottle of the friction modifier in and would you believe they knew what they were talking about!!! It was gone instantly and has stayed that way. They said that they put it in every axle that's behind a Cummins regardless as a standard procedure because of so many repeated cases of this issue. So if it still does this after you change the oil, try this. It's only a few bucks and it WILL NOT hurt anything regardless of the fact that there are no clutches in the carrier that need this additive.

 

[Cummins12V98]

I will report back when I tow again if the SevereGear cures the problem. I assume it will since the old lube was shot.

 

[Dutch & Di]

Thank you all for the comments & suggestions. Dutch re-read his manual and his does state 15K. When he spoke to RAM they said it is not in their book! They are sending him a 900 page manual. We have an appointment at Dodge either tomorrow or Friday afternoon.

MPaulson, I printed out your post on the friction modifier so Dutch can show it to them when we go in. Dutch is asking if this is the same friction modifiers that we were putting in our Dana rears???


Thanks again, I'll keep you posted. Hugs, Di .

 

[kthaxton]

As said, and the manual says, these axles DO NOT require the friction modifier,,, BUT, when I changed the diff oil this spring on my truck(Ram oil) I instantly had the chattering. I stopped in at my local dealer who I know well and they sent a tech out to drop a bottle of the friction modifier in and would you believe they knew what they were talking about!!! It was gone instantly and has stayed that way. They said that they put it in every axle that's behind a Cummins regardless as a standard procedure because of so many repeated cases of this issue. So if it still does this after you change the oil, try this. It's only a few bucks and it WILL NOT hurt anything regardless of the fact that there are no clutches in the carrier that need this additive.

That is strange, it implies that the lube you had was not slippery enough as that is what the modifier does....it makes the lube slipperier so clutches won't grab as tightly.....and since these diffs don't use clutch packs......weird!

 

[Cummins12V98]

The BOTTOM line as I PROVED with my lube analysis is the LUBE was SHOT!!! Towing HEAVE as Dutch and Di do and my self requires we change our lube at 15K. I had NO symptoms until I hit the 20K range or so.

BOTH viscosity test results were WELL below what they were supposed to be.

You Don't need a friction modifier, you need to change the lube within 15k towing heavy, simple as that!!!

 

[mpaulson]

The BOTTOM line as I PROVED with my lube analysis is the LUBE was SHOT!!! Towing HEAVE as Dutch and Di do and my self requires we change our lube at 15K. I had NO symptoms until I hit the 20K range or so.

BOTH viscosity test results were WELL below what they were supposed to be.

You Don't need a friction modifier, you need to change the lube within 15k towing heavy, simple as that!!!

But the odd thing is, is that it started on the first drive after changing the oil with Mopars oil that is spec'd for the truck, and the friction modifier solved it. Can't explain it, but it worked for me and may work for others when all else fails.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Did the dealer do the change if so maybe they used the wrong lube???

 

[Newsa]

I will report back when I tow again if the SevereGear cures the problem. I assume it will since the old lube was shot.

If its not damaged, i suspect it will.

 

[schmeg]

If its not damaged, i suspect it will.

Not to hijack this informative thread, but I was wondering if you still have the stock DMF and clutch in your truck? If not, what do you have and do you tow heavy. I just got my '16 3500 G56 2 months ago and will be towing 18K or so with it in the future. Thanks.

Also, what are you using for transmission lube?

 

[mpaulson]

Did the dealer do the change if so maybe they used the wrong lube???

Did the change myself.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Did the change myself.

THAT is weird!!!

 

[Newsa]

Not to hijack this informative thread, but I was wondering if you still have the stock DMF and clutch in your truck? If not, what do you have and do you tow heavy. I just got my '16 3500 G56 2 months ago and will be towing 18K or so with it in the future. Thanks.

Also, what are you using for transmission lube?

Happy to answer and hope i don't get reamed a new hole for doing so.

I have only towed heavy for 400 miles. I believe i was at or close to max GVWR. Might have even been 400 lbs over what was supposed to be in the bed (goooseneck tongue weight). I've done about 5000 miles of lighter towing. I have the stock DMF & clutch.

Still have the original transmission lube. I will keep ATF4+ due to my extended warranty. I only have 24,702 miles on the truck. I plan to add FAST coolers and change the transmission lube next summer. It will have 32,000-34,000 miles on it.