2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Rear Axle Problems

[NHays]

I have a 1997 2500, 4x4, long bed, manual. Limited slip rearend, not sure if its Dana 70 or 80. My problem is this, sometimes you can turn driveshaft about 10 degrees, sometimes only a degree or two. I checked ring and pinion backlash, little loose but not to bad, only a couple thousandths over. I could use some insight on what the probable cause might be before I tear into this thing. I suspect differential pinions but don't know. I have never dismantled a limited slip differential.

 

[Turbo Thom]

What do you mean, sometimes a degree and sometimes 10? Do you mean it won't turn?

 

[NHays]

No. I drive the truck every day. I am referring to the amount of "Free Travel" in the drive sharft when I have the truck parked and I crawl underneath and turn on the driveshaft.

 

[Straight6Jeff]

If you have the manual trans, you should have the D80. Pulling apart the LSD is easy. Make sure you index the cases and pinion cross shafts. Then just unbolt the LSD cases.



But first, I would sugest you unhook the drive shaft, pul the cover and measure backlash at the ring gear. it shoudl be between 6-10 thou on a new set up, max 15 thou on a worn set up. Removing the driveshaft will take the trans backlash out the the equation.

 

[NHays]

I took driveshaft off and was replacing U-Joint when I checked backlash... . Are the pinions generally the cause or what? ps. Ring and Pinion was about 9 thousandths

 

[NHays]

how much slop should i get out of transmission.

 

[steved]

I was going to ask if you had the transmission in gear once and then in nuetral the next... some slop is fine. transmission will have quite a bit since it goes through several gears and splines.



IME, I doubt it is the rear LS... there is very little there that could cause the condition you are describing (and not be consistant)... the D80 LSD is a two-piece tracloc which will act like an open diff when the clutches get worn.



It could be the bearings are loose in the carrier and that is causing/allowing a lot of side to sode play which would in turn cause excessive backlash... but it should be consistant.



steved

 

[AMelvin]

I have almost the same problem, except mine does it all the time. You have to be very careful when shifting to ease back on the throttle or it will jerk like crazy. It's done it since I got the truck with 60,000 miles on it. Is there any adjustment that can be made or do you just replace the ring and pinion?