American gear anti-spin 11.5 in

[asimkus]

has any one had problems with the anti spin not working. The manual says to apply a lite pressure to the e-bake if it don't lock up and that will start both wheels spinning. It does not work. My dealer replaced the 3 rd member but it still does the same thing. Dealer states he has 4 other customers with the same problem . Jack up one rear wheel with the trans in neutral and the wheel turns with one finger. Dealer is talking to D/C but they are claiming no one is complaining. Here in snow country I'm getting stuck often , not like my old 97 . Any one have a suggestion? We are using D/C recommended lube at least it was dealer installed the second time.



03 3500 4wd c/cab HO 48rh srw

 

[XJSuperman]

There was a good post on this subject not too long ago but I am PC stupid and don't know how to link to it.

Just remember this differential will not lock up... and the conditions of traction have to be oh so right for it to 'anti-spin'. And once you get under a load with one tire having a significantly higher amount of traction... it is as good as an open case differential... and you will have one spinning and one not.

 

[RHinds]

I've had to apply the parking break to at least half position before I could get the rear diff to lock up. Another thing to try is power breaking, it's easy to do with an automatic, just don't apply a whole lot of throttle right away.

 

[NSperduto]

Here's the link

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=91545

 

[NSperduto]

I'll also tell you that I think the LSD on this truck sucks.

I'd rather it work like the old ones and for the guy who says he'd rather not have clutches wear out. I'm not sure about, I have 160k on the LSD in my Dakota and I have no problems with anyting in the rear wearing out.



I drive both trucks, the Dakota and the RAm. I've gotten used to the Dakota LSD. There's one right had turn I make onto a highway and there'a always snow and ice on the right side of the road. With the Dakota, pull up to the intersection and as long as the left wheel was on the pavement, I just stepped on the gas and pulled onto the highway.



I tried this for the first time a couple weeks ago. Pull up with the ram, go to pull onto the highway and the damn right wheel just starts spinning and I go a couple feet. I thought I was going to get run over.



I'm sorry to those who like it, but I think it sucks.



Nick

 

[Punkineater]

With a stock truck, stock tires you will get more life out of clutchpacks. I don't subscribe to stock and like my trucks with more beef. When I add that beef in the form of tires they kill those clutchpacks. I'll take a helical gear setup over clutch packs any day. I've said it before if you don't like how it acts buy a Detroit locker. You will be guaranteed lockup everytime.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

Too bad there aren't any aftermarket lockers out yet...



Matt

 

[evldsl]

There are lockers for the 14 bolt rear end and there are lockers for the front 9. 25 on the 3500,2500 series trucks that dodge makes. There are no air lockers but you can find aftermarket limited slip, detroit, etc. Don't sell yourself short if you dont like the stock units quit crying and replace them.

 

[rbattelle]

I do like the LSD setup, myself, but that's just my opinion. Beware: if you jack the rear up and spin one wheel, the other wheel will spin in the opposite direction just like an open diff. This is because you need some minimum torque to get the side gears to slide toward the outside. As someone else mentioned, this system is a torque multiplier. Multiply anything by 0 and you still get 0. That's why you have to apply brake to make it work if one wheel has 0 or near-zero torque.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

14 bolt = 11. 5" AAM ?



Matt

 

[XJSuperman]

The 14 bolt and AAM 1150 are very similar (if not the same) axles.



SO when someone tries to tell you your dodge has a chebbie axle... you can laugh and say NOPE... your chebbie has a dodge axle! Either way the 'corporate" chebbie 14 bolt is in truth an AAM axle.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

AAM 11.5" = GM 14-bolt = Cool!

I've only seen one 3rd Gen 11. 5" rear axle up close... . it was under Nick's truck (XcumminsX).



I took a quick glace at it... in between drooling all over his truck and seat cover :-laf ... and thought it looked strangely familar.



That would be really great news if the AAM 1150 as you call it can exchange parts with the GM Corporate 14-bolt...



So, in theory... one could save $285 by not going for the OEM "anti-spin" rear differential and put that money towards a Detroit locker... .



Matt

 

[Chris N5CWM]

We need something like the GM G80

The GM limited slip is called G80. It's made by Eaton in many different ring gear sizes. It has a locking mechanism activated when a flyweight senses excessive wheelspin from either axle, and positively locks the rear axle. In effect you could actually have one wheel on ice, and the other on asphalt, and still get out. I've had several vehicles with this diff and it is an awesome OEM locking diff.



We need this diff! Heck if AA makes the axles for GM and Dodge, then why can't we get the same diff? I'm almost positive that it will retrofit into a Ram housing since it's the same thing that's under a GM with the 11. 5 AA.



Here is a link to the Eaton site.

 

[RLighthall]

A lot of comments are made about using the emergency brake to activate the LSD. That trick is as old as the open differential itself. Anyone old enough to remember the days of the big 'ol rear wheel drive road-commodes might remember seeing that procedure specified in the owners manual. By preloading both wheels with brake drag, one can't out-run the other, so you end up a cheap 'posi' rear. Heck, by doing this with the AM LSD axle, I wonder if the unit even tries to engage. $251 we paid for the LSD and are told that in order to make it work, just do what we've done to fool the open differential all these years? And no, tapping the brake didn't work for me either. I had the dealer check it for me twice, and both times they told me it was functioning properly. The last time it snowed I made a lengthy video tape of the rear axle not being able to get me out of snow & ice to present to the service dept. That was before I found out that they were right - it really is (dis)functioning properly...

 

[asimkus]

thanks for all the imput I tried the e-bake method agian today and got a lock up on a few ocassions. it looks like the LSD is working as it was engenered which will require a reponsive action by the driver in icy conditions. However it may work ok in mud. Some how I don't feel I got my money's worth.

 

[R.M.THOMPSON]

After market parts are coming soon,do a search for Gypsyman's post on this. My bet is there is to many differances between the 14 bolt & 11. 5 to be worth the machining. Waiting for a matched set of carriers is the way to go if no rock climbing and mud bogging is in the plan ! I like my trucks street manners,but need something a little less than spools or air lockers front and rear. I thought someone was making an air or electric locker that was a lsd in unlocked mode, sounds to good to be true and would probally be a long time to wait for a AAM drop in. Plus a lot of $$$$ Mark T.

 

[Floor It]

I've talked to AA about their LSD and they are getting complaints that these things are a POS! He said it was due to the spec that dodge wanted these things to be at. The multiplication ratio is so low that they dont work efficiently.



John

 

[JGoodwin]

I agree. I perfer the old clutch set up than the worm gear method. I called chrysler and complained. It fell on deaf ears. I told them what happens if I'm back in the hills 15 miles of mud. The emergency brake will be toast before I get to the pavement.

 

[Punkineater]

Originally posted by JGoodwin

I agree. I perfer the old clutch set up than the worm gear method. I called chrysler and complained. It fell on deaf ears. I told them what happens if I'm back in the hills 15 miles of mud. The emergency brake will be toast before I get to the pavement.

You do have four wheel drive don't you? If you're that worried invest in a winch. You can get stuck in the back hills running full Detroit lockers front and rear.

 

[jungledave]

The LSD on my 02 worked great no matter what conditions I drove in. I've actually had ot put my 04 in 4-hi to get it to move in my driveway; kinda of embarrasing in front of my ford neighbor. There are also times that it works just like its supposed to and both tires will spin as long as you want. I did ocasionaly have clutch chatter problems with my 02 in tight turns reguardless of what additive or lube I ahd in it. My 02 also turned much sharper than my 04. So I guess that I am not that impressed with the AAM so far. I realize that it wont wear out clutches but I always knew that the DANA was gonna work without having to hit the brake.