2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission limited slip rearend

[Elk]

My brotherinlaw just bought a 99 2500 with the six speed. My question is what does limited slip chater feel like? I was backing it out of the driveway and turning sharp when I felt a thunking almost like a tire rubbing. In fact we got out and watched to make sure the oversized tires were not rubbing. Could this be the limited slip. MY 97 does not have ls and my 2003 has not made any sounds like this yet. Everything else seemed fine it only has 75k on the clock.

 

[Devildog]

Thats exactly what it feels like...

You should add a pint of friction modifier for limited slip differentials and drive figure 8's in a large parking lot for a couple of minutes, if needed you may have to add more. Mine did it when it was new and the dealer added a quart to cure the problem.

 

[Pit Bull]

Buy the Mopar friction modifier. It comes in a small bottle (not a pint, maybe 4 oz's) Add one bottle and drive in figure 8's if it still does it add another. Should fix it.

 

[Lsfarm]

It's perfect

Hi Elk, how much grab or chatter you want in your LSD is really personal taste. I like my LSD to act just as you are describing. For me I would not add any friction modifier, unless this slight lurching around tight corners is annoying to you.



The lurching or grabbing means that the LSD clutches are holding real well, and aren't slipping untill a pretty good slip load is applied. This is exactly what you want a LSD to do. If the clutches slip too much they will slip at every opportunity, like one wheel on ice or snow, the other on pavement. If the clutches are too loose, they will just slip and wear out, then you don't have a LSD anymore.



Without adding any modifier, go and drive around in a few figure 8's, this will distribute the existing gear oil and may reduce the chatter.



If you decide to add modifier, add only a little at at time, [like an ounce] do the figure 8's and live with it for a day or two to see if it has done the trick. You don't want to make it too loose.



Hope this helps. Greg L. The Noise Nazi

 

[Sixpack]

I agree with Lsfarm! I like to feel the chatter too. Tells me it's working. Sixpack

 

[24Vpirate]

the tighter the better

 

[dan_gilson]

There was a thread recently that stated if you have too little friction modifier you can wear out the clutch packs in the LSD.



I got a little chatter when new. If sounds like some ticking coming from the rear end when you turn tight. You might also think of it as a slight rattle in the cab.



Roy from MagHyTec set me up with the some LE rear end lube and what seems like the correct amount of friction modifier. I get very little chatter now. It is a lot quieter but still seems to be working correctly. I had it up on jacks last weekend and gave it a test. Both wheels were going in the correct direction and I could not stop either.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by 24V pirate

the tighter the better

Did somebody change subjects on me

 

[dan_gilson]

Boy that one flew over my head the 1st time:

Rear ends... The tigher the better.

bad... .

 

[ISBPilot]

dan_gilson...............

There was a thread recently that stated if you have too little friction modifier you can wear out the clutch packs in the LSD.

Asked this to a dealer after mine went to chattering. He said the clutchers and the labor to replace them are around seven hundred dollars. When asked how long I should run it with the chattering before this was considered, he replied that it would not hurt anything and it would wear so little that it was not enough to worry about. Anything rubbing or chattering like that makes you wonder, but this dealer has helped me on several occasions when they could have made many dollars off of me and didn't. I trust them.



Todd

 

[dan_gilson]

Other people have complained that they were chattering heavily and then their LSD opened up. Which means that it is now like a normal differential where when 1 side slip the truck stops moving.



The dealer may be one of the "good" ones such that your particular dealer always tries to do "right" by the customer. They also may be uninformed. If it were me, I would get a 2nd opinion from a reputable rear end shop. One that specialized in only rear ends You might want to start off by asking them if they specialize or have a lot of experience in LSD's and if they do whether what you experiencing is a problem or not.



Another thing might be to add a little friction modifier until your LSD quiets down a little. This is more of a bandaid solution IMHO.



I know that it is not in the best interest for the dealer to prevent problems. It is better for them to do nothing and have you come in and get things fixed later wnen you have to pay big $$.



Sorry, but I have been burned too many times by Dodge already.

 

[RichB59]

I read an article in trailer life recently

about lsd. Seems a jeep owner went to the DC parts dept and puchased fluid for his LSD differentials. He did the service and ended up destroying the diffs. Come to find out the parts guy never gave him and friction modifier. He was pi**ed and tried to blame the parts people. They said he got what he asked for. Just thought I would pass this on to add to the confusion. IMHO I would not run without the modifier. LOL





RichB

 

[MarkF]

I bought some Castorl gearlube with LS additive already in it from my parts guy. No chatter, and the LS acts exactly as it's supposed to. I don't know if the chain auto parts stores carry it, I use a small family run store with "real parts guys" that know car and truck parts, not some computer jockey that swears the part I want doesn't exist if its not in their computer.

 

[RAPID RICK]

My limited slip was so limited that I took it to the dealer & convinced them to replece the clutchs. Said they hsd to replace the whole carrier not just the cluthes. Good thing I did because a bearing had spun & the carrier was junk. They re-bearing the complete rear end while it was apart. This was at 87000 miles.

I was sure glad I had my extened..... AGAIN



Rick

 

[tgrfan2]

Dana 70

I have my 98 at the dealer nowand the driver's side carrier bearing race turned chewing up the housing. The estimate is $2975. I checked on a complete assembly and they want $3600 plus labor for it! The tech said he does around three Dana 70's per week! I guess my next truck will be a 3500 and hopefully have the new rear end.

 

[dan_gilson]

I wonder what the swap to a Dana 80 would take? The 80's seem to be built OK. Probably pick one up a salvage yard for way cheaper than what the dealer wants for new.