Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Am I Expecting too much?

[KEnhoffer]

This is a drive train issue, so I am posting it in engine & transmission. (I briefly mentioned my broken differential in the other 12V forum. ) A bolt head (one of 12) holding the ring gear in my Dana 70 axle differential sheared off - it did not back out- and bent several teeth on the ABS exciter ring and I lost my rear wheel ABS. The dealer had never heard of such a stress fracture failure and suggested I contact DC as the truck is 12,000 miles out of extended warranty. He felt "DC should step up to the plate," on this product failure as I am looking at a $1,000 bill. The DC rep stated I must first pay for a formal dealer diagnosis, but most probably DC would not cover the repair anyway because the vehicle is 9 years old. (Recently, Toyota took responsibility and replaced a head gasket and steering rod on my 94 4 Runner. ) My Ram has only 87,000 easy miles and never used commercially or in heavy towing - I pulled a lite weight travel trailer for two weeks 5 years ago. I have been through 3 sending units, a trackbar, headlight switch, vacuum pump, exhaust manifold, hydroboost power brake unit, and now I am facing this along with a leaking transmission seal. I am ready to throw in the towel and get rid of this truck and never go DC again. Someone talk me out of it!

 

[Nate]

$1000 for what, new ring gears bolts and an ABS tone ring? Ring rear bolts back out it happens. Maybe they didn't put enough locktight at the factory, maybe it was a bad bolt.



Did it damage anything else? no? Pull the diff out, put new bolts in, put a new ABS sensor in there... or fix the one you have. Put back together. Problem is fixed for cheap.

 

[pwerwagn]

I agree with Nate. I dont see why it would be an expensive repair, unless it messed up way more than you mentioned. I have had a ring gear bolt back out twice on a Corp-14 bolt, and have had all the ring gear bolts loose on a Dana 44. Its not extremely common, but it does happen.



I can understand you frustration with DC, though. They SHOULD step up to the plate with this one, even if it is a cheap fix. If you need a full-size truck, you've got about the best one out there (12V), in terms of reliability. Dont kid yourself into thinking that the service at a ford or chevy dealership will be any better, Its always a hit and miss.



While this is brought up, I feel that when Toyota and Nissan introduce REAL trucks, and offer a good diesel, they will take a substantial chunk of the big 3's sells. I *personally* wont buy one, but there are a lot of people that would.



--Jeff

 

[KEnhoffer]

Thanks guys for the pep talk. I needed it. I really do like my truck, but am frustrated with all the things that broke. Since I am not a mechanic or real gearhead I plan to see a local (hopefully trustworthy) transmission shop about a fix. My old time country mechanic didn't want to do the repair. Do you think I should get the bearings replaced when it is apart, on general principal?

 

[Kirwin]

How about a full rear end replacement?

You could get a Dana 80 replacement rear end for less than $1000 I think. Just a thought. You don't have many miles on that one though so I'd probably just fix it. I have thought about selling my 97, I don't drive it much, but it don't eat anything either and I currently have garage space for it to set in so it stays pretty good looking, and it's MINE and it's a MECHANICALLY injected engine that anyone can work on. I'm keeping it!!! thanks for the pep talk! Ken Irwin