Metal in rear end

[draymorris]

I changed my rear end fluid yesterday(40k miles) so that I could replace it with Amsoil. The plug had about 1/8 inch layer of metal flakes on it and their were flakes in the bottom as well. Is this normal?



The bad thing is that I had the fluid replaced at the dealership on 7/30 with 22k miles because all the paint was peeling off the rear end and I wanted to have them check it out. I made them let me watch so that I could see the fluid. There were less metal flakes then. The fluid did not smell or look that bad either time.



Any advice is appreciated.

 

[bulabula]

Not sure I have any advice, but I can tell you that I found the same thing when I did mine. This is the only vehicle that I've changed out the diff fluid as part of routine maintenance so I can't say from experience that its bad, or ok.



I changed out the diffs, xfercase and transmission last month with Amsoil and found some flakes in the pan from the front diff. Mileage was 18k. The front plug only had a little mud on it and looked to be normal. Didn't see any flakes on the magnet though, just the gray mud. Rear plug had a lot of mud but no flakes. Flakes were noted on the bottom of the pan after draining it.



The only other time I've ever looked at the diffs was early last December when I checked and found the diffs to be low and topped them both off. Yes they were low and the dealer gave me the lube. Mileage back then was around 3k and both plugs had a bit of mud on them as well, but no flakes noticed.



They've never made any noise and seem to be working fine. Not sure what else I can do, so I'll just keep an eye on it when I check it next spring.

 

[SRadke]

I changed out my diffs at 11k and didn't find any metal flakes. There was a little grey slime on the magnet but that is to be expected in a new gearbox. If there were visible pieces of metal loose in there I'd be at the dealer doing a little :-{}



-Scott

 

[Briman]

One time when I changed the rear end lube on my y2k I found a bunch of metal flake. It was a bad carrier bearing. Don't know what you are encountering but allot of metal does not sound normal to me.

 

[Casey Balvert]

Flakes are not normal. An oil analysis might indicate the source of the metal. A little grey mud is fine, but not flakes. Time to dig deeper.



Casey

 

[draymorris]

Thanks for your replies. There was no obvious play in anything that I could see and I cannot hear a "whine" yet, so I think I will drive it as is for a while to see if it gets worse or has more metal in the next change. Considering the cost of the Amsoil compared to the Mopar fluid - if I take it in and they find nothing wrong - I will have wasted 4qts of Amsoil and will probably have to pay the $20 per quart for mopar fluid - last time they charged me $130 to change the fluid. Besides I still have 60k miles on my warranty and lots of hay to haul between now and then. When I learn more I will post my findings.



Thanks again

 

[draymorris]

Getting worse?

I hauled hay all weekend as usual - Went 200 miles - at the first drop I felt a grinding when I was pulling back onto the pavement - then again at almost every turn that I made on pavement. As I unloaded the trailer at each drop, the grinding became less. With the trailer empty, I can barely feel it. With no trailer on, it does not exist. I still can't hear were it is comming from, I am assuming it is the rear end. I am going to contact Amsoil today to see what they say since this is the first pull since I change fluids.



I don't know if it would do any good to take it to the dealer, until it is making a noise or had some slack in it. If it is just diff clutch slipping, what can they do?

 

[draymorris]

going to dealer

Checked the plug yesterday. Just as much metal or more - after only 800 miles(about 400 pulling). I guess I will waste the Amsoil that I put in last week.

 

[SRadke]

Good luck and let us know how it comes out.



-Scott

 

[draymorris]

Sorry for now

The dealer didn't have a loaner. I can't get the grinding to take place empty. It doesn't make any loud howling. And I have 60k miles left on the warranty. I decided not to take it in. Sorry



I am going to check the plug very often, collect what is on it and document the milage. I am also going to change the fluid about every 15k.



Theory: Many people on another thread wrote about their limited slip going out. I wonder if the grinding during turning is just mine going out.

 

[Hale on wheels]

You may need to add some of the friction additive if you hear a grinding while turning, even with the Amsoil. It is possible you are grinding your limited slip clutches. Granted I am no expert on this, but that is one thing I would check.

 

[RankRam]

Originally posted by Hale on wheels

You may need to add some of the friction additive if you hear a grinding while turning, even with the Amsoil. It is possible you are grinding your limited slip clutches. Granted I am no expert on this, but that is one thing I would check.

This is not required with 3rd generation trucks. (American axle as opposed to 2nd generation Dana).

 

[Hale on wheels]

Oh, whoops, I wandered into the wrong generation forum didn't I!! Just do like my wife and disregard anything I say then

 

[RankRam]

Thank's anyway.