2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Ring Gear Bolts - Gone

[JLee]

Had some funny noises coming from the back of my 01. Pulled the rear cover and 5 of the bolts holding the ring gear had lost their heads and one or more managed to punch a hole in the case and mash some of the gears :{ . Anyone seen this before? The ring gear has never been off to my knowledge (bought it new from the dealer w/400 miles). The truck works hard & has some mods but you would think a driveline would twist before the rear end would go .

 

[Nate]

I've seen it happen on Jeep D35s before, but not big Dana axles. I suppose anything could happen if it was assembled wrong though.

 

[MMeier]

Just had the 12 bolt in my race car gone through for the same thing. Heard something clanging away on deceleration, pulled the cover and there were 2 bolts in the bottom and all the others were very loose/ stripped! So I figured WTF, time to put a spool, and new gearset, and all the related BS in the thing and be done with it !! My boy at the shop said he sees this all the time on city buses and ambulances that are hard in use, shock loads and stuff.

 

[JLee]

Thanks guys. The only good thing about it is the Inferno Red '06 3500 sittin in my driveway while the other is getting fixed . My wallet isn't very happy though.

 

[JKinney]

Yes had that happen on my tractor front end. If the bolts happen to get loose, then they are subject to shear. I was able to pull the old studs and replace the bolts put the locktite to em. But when I first took it apart all i could see was money slipping away.

 

[JMalliet]

I have seen ring gear bolts come loose from people not putting locktite on the bolts when installing gears. I always use locktite when setting up gears in a differential, ring gear bolts, and carrier bearing cap bolts. My first gear install (on my offroad rig) I didn't use locktite. At the 500 miles fluid change and check up I checked the ring gear bolts, a few were loose. I pulled them all, and put locktite on them. Been using it on every setup since.