new limited slip...questions and concerns...

[mr plow]

i sure hope u guys and gals can help me. my truck is awesome, but one thing really bothers me. when i have my plow on, and i pull away from a stop, i can feel the rear end shimmy a bit almost like a quick shiver if you will. It is not noticeable when the plow is removed, only when the front end is loaded. I assume that it is the limited slip doing it's job. BTW, my rear fluid was about 1/2 quart low, so i topped it off to 1/4 inch below opening. I've heard that the limited slip is tight, but no additive is recommended.



Any help you guys can offer is much appreciated.





thanks.



Oren.







_________________________



03 quad 4x4 3500 DRW Laramie Sport. S. O. Auto.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Mine was very bad about that kind of thing for about the first 600 miles or so. It was especially bad when turning slow, tight corners. Now with 4k on the clock it seems to work fine and has lost the tendency to want to "hop".

 

[sag2]

Mine hopped pretty good at first. Seems to be good now at 1200 miles except on tight turn on dry surface. I think this American Axle limited slip has a stronger clutch than Dana.

 

[PBeaudoin]

I had this same concern on my thread with "03 with vibrations" Mine was doing the same thing. Friend told me to do figure 8's in a large parking lot to heat the clutches up and break them in. It works!

 

[Blair]

Mine was tight to, until I got a few miles on it. If once you get a few miles on it and it is still doing it take it to the dealer and get them to change the fluid and add some additive.

 

[boonsur]

I thought the new LSD is not "additive dependent" like the old ones were?

 

[Blair]

Your right the AA diff uses TRAC-RITE for it's LSD. Manual desc. "When one wheel begins to spin the pinion gears on that side are forced toward the pinion brake shoes. The pinion brake shoes then cause frictional drag on th opposite pinion gears and the side gear. These friction forces transfer the power to the opposite wheel. Once the frictional forces have are overcome, differentiation will occur. The torque will be continually biased by the frictional forces to the high traction wheel. "

 

[gthiessen]

I work at a Dodge dealer and you do not need additive for the new 2003 American Axle. they work of a helix gear.

 

[Big MAK]

gthiesen;



Is it normal for the diff to make a mild clink/clunk noise when a load is applied or released?

 

[mr plow]

are u sure...

its not your rear disc brakes?



btw, i have about 1200 miles on the truck now, and when the rear end is loaded up, the little shimmy disappears...



it sure is tight...



tried figure eights, maybe not enough, though, will try it again anybody suggest how long is hould do it?



thanks.



you guys rock.



____________________________________



03 3500 slt laramie loaded 4x4 fisher 8. 5 ez-v bed rails, back rack with backup lights... step rails on the way...



Oo.

 

[bzingre]

NO DISCS

The new rear ends don't have any clutches in them. They are a planetary gear set-up. If you jack up the rear end you can turn one wheel and the other doesn't move, but if you pour the coals to it with one wheel on the road and one in the grass, you get a black rubber mark and grass stain, which is cool...

 

[Prairie Dog]

I'm wondering if your seeing a whole different problem than just the LSD. With the longer springs I've noticed a lot of wheel hop if the wheels slip in the rain when taking off from a dead stop. Maybe it's time to bring back traction bars!

 

[ReevesRacing]

I too notice the hop (usually when I'm pouring the coal to it in an attempt to fry the tires), and have pondered the idea of traction bars.



Is this feasible?

 

[mr plow]

ACTUALLY, MINE ISNT MY LIMITED SLIP...

as it turns out, my launch shudder is a result of one or a combination of the following three things:

1. driveshaft out of balance

2. loose/broken centre hanger bearing

3. incorrect pinion angle from driveshaft.



now that i have a diagnosis, i feel much better. hopefully will have the problem resolved within the week.



regards.



plow.

 

[ReevesRacing]

1. driveshaft out of balance

2. loose/broken centre hanger bearing

3. incorrect pinion angle from driveshaft.



How did all this happen to your 03 already?

Should I be lookin for the same things on mine?

 

[mr plow]

only one of the three...

relax. these things happen. it is most likely a loose centre hanger bearing - no big deal. If you look for things, you'll find stuff that doesnt exist. enjoy your truck. Drive it hard and put it away wet. But take care if it and it'll take care of you.





keep plowing...





mr plow.

 

[JoeyD]

In the GM AA uses the Gov Lock, is that the same in the DC?