Metal on rear diff plug

[CIverson]

I thought I heard a noise the other day so I decided to check the rear diff fluid. It seemed a good inch below the fill hole and the plug had all sorts of fine metal shavings on it.



What gives? I've had new gears installed in my old truck and never got metal shavings from them.



Anyone have a similar problem? What was the fix if you had it fixed?



It's at the dealer right now getting looked at.

 

[DJaquez]

I had a similiar problem on '04, the dealer had to replace the ring and pinion gears. They also replaced the bearings and seals.

 

[CIverson]

Well I don't think I'd like this dealer doing a R/P replacement as I don't feel they are that competent.



Maybe I can get DC to spring for a new rear end. And with all those shavings I would think they would replace the LSD unit as the shavings can wear on those worm gears (think that's what the new one uses) also.

 

[CIverson]

Said it was "normal"... ... ..... whatever. Then proclamied that the shavings were graphite!!! There isn't any graphite in a rear end! I could be wrong but I'll bet money I'm not.

 

[Mactruck]

Last time I checked - GRAPHITE doesn't stick to a magnet.

 

[CIverson]

Originally posted by Mactruck

Last time I checked - GRAPHITE doesn't stick to a magnet.

Haha, I didn't even think of that aspect.



Speaking of my dealer not knowing anything. When I dropped off the truck an older gentleman came up to me and asked what was wrong with my truck. He had an 03 cummins in the shop because he said he had no power and was getting passed by fords, poor guy.



It was the 3rd time he had brought it in and they finally found something wrong with the computer, but he had asked them to check the computer on the first and second visit and they decided not to!

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by CIverson

Said it was "normal"... ... ..... whatever. Then proclamied that the shavings were graphite!!! There isn't any graphite in a rear end! I could be wrong but I'll bet money I'm not.

You have a 70K mile warranty, watch it and if it gives you a problem take it to another dealer. I've found metal shavings on the plug of my 2000. Cleaned them off, changed the fluid and drove it. Never caused me any problems.

 

[wsurf]

CIverson, how many miles do you have on the truck? My 03 has about 4K and I finally got around to checking the level. Was about an inch below the plug. Have read all of the threads but never checked until now. The plug had "gray mud" on it. I don't know if it is "savings" or not. Anyway added a quart and brought it up to level. Can't tell if it is making any noise over the tire sounds. Did you have the gray like mud? Actually it did look like graphite. Thanks

 

[CIverson]

Originally posted by wsurf

CIverson, how many miles do you have on the truck? My 03 has about 4K and I finally got around to checking the level. Was about an inch below the plug. Have read all of the threads but never checked until now. The plug had "gray mud" on it. I don't know if it is "savings" or not. Anyway added a quart and brought it up to level. Can't tell if it is making any noise over the tire sounds. Did you have the gray like mud? Actually it did look like graphite. Thanks

2,181 when it hit the service room floor.



Yes the "gray mud" description is more descriptive and is what the plug looked like on mine.



I still think it's fine shavings though. KNowing my dealer they prolly didn't even wipe off the plug. I'm gonna take it out again tomorrow and if it's still there take pictures to document it, and see if they actually filled the diff up w/ fluid.

 

[CIverson]

Just to update I went out and checked it tonight, and there was a little bit of the gray stuff left.



I wiped it on a rag and it had some reflectiveness to it and looked like very very fine shavings to me.



Anyway my real grip is that they didn't add any fluid! It's still about an inch to an inch and a half low!

 

[Pit Bull]

Anyway my real grip is that they didn't add any fluid! It's still about an inch to an inch and a half low! [/B][/QUOTE]



American Axles



Dodge Trucks are now using American Axles for 2003 and later. Please make sure your Service Department is using the correct lubricant and adhering to the correct fill levels.



These axles do not require Friction Modifier, but do require a special synthetic lubricant. According to American Axle, this 75W-90 lubricant part number listed below is a pure synthetic lubricant and does not contain Phosphates. This is different from the 75W-I40 that is used on DANA and Corporate Axles.



Please use Mopar Part # 05102232AA on all American Axles



Caution: Overfilling these Axles may result in lubricant foaming and overheating!



Please adhere to the fill levels described in the vehicle owner's manual or levels listed below.



9. 25 Front: 1/4" +/- 1/4" (Total of 1/2" below fill hole)

10. 5 Rear: 3/4" +/- 1/4" (Total of l" below fill hole)

11. 5 Rear: 1/2" +/- 1/4" (Total of 3/4" below Fall hole)





Reminder

 A break in period of 500 miles is required before towing!

 Afterwards do not exceed 50 MPH for the first 500 miles of towing.

 

[CIverson]

Thanks for the info.



I knew it wasn't supposed to be at the top but wasn't sure exactly how low it is supposed to be. Right now it's more than 3/4" below the fill hole.

 

[wsurf]

Well that might explain the fill levels but what about the so called gray mud? I think I will remove the plug and try to reflect it for any particles. Thanks for the info.

 

[DPKetchum]

Lots of diffs have gray mud etc on the plugs etc. I always considered this normal. Thats why the plug is magnetized. Have seen this from Mercedes to Yugos. It gets less with miles. Kinda no different then some lite metal found in auto trans pans which is also normal. A Toyota I once owned at 100k found a small sliver of metal stuck to the plug. Looked like a small piece of bearing cage,made me a little nervous. Drove it another 90k and never found anymore on plug and sold the car with diff. still quiet and no excessive play.

 

[kbarlow]

Originally posted by Pit Bull

Please use Mopar Part # 05102232AA on all American Axles

Pit Bull

Where did you find the part number?

Thanks Ken

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by kbarlow

Pit Bull

Where did you find the part number?

Thanks Ken

Copied it off of this thread. Everything you will ever want to know about your AA Axle https://www.turbodieselregister.com...eadid=68166&highlight=Differential+fill+level

 

[kbarlow]

Thanks Pit Bull,



I knew I should have written the number down when I first saw it.



Cheers Ken