***urgent Check Your Rear Differential**********

[DIESELMAN]

Originally posted by eowens

I checked my fluid today and it was about 1 inch below the fill plug on level ground. Now the owners manuel says the fluid should be at 1/4 inch below the plug, do you guys think that 3/4 inch difference is a concern enough to show the dealer or should I just add some more fluid and keep on truckin. Also I have noticed a driveline shudder when accelerating from a stop while turning left or right. It does not shudder under straight line acceleration, is this the limited slip rearend, do your trucks do this, or do I have some other driveline problem.

I've noticed this in mine too, and both trucks with LSD that I test drove. I assumed it was because of the type of diff, I don't belive there are clutch packs, but a helical gearset dif.



My level is correct, I only feel it on pavement, starting off from a dead stop, with the wheel turned left or right. I never notice on turns, fast or slow, and never on dirt.



It almost feels reminiscent of a locker, just very mild.

 

[Rosco]

Thanks for the response fellows, I am glad that your truck is doing this also dieselman so its probably just the limited slip doing its thing. I brought the truck to the dealer today for the fan recall and I took the shop foreman for a ride but I could not get her to do it today, probably because the road was wet from rain. Anyhow the diff was topped off with oil and its all on record so I am not to concerned I figure when the mag-hytec covers are available I will get one and switch to synthetic oil and see if that changes anything.

 

[Rosco]

Dieselman, I changed the rear differential to amsoil gear lube and the shudder seems to have gone away. Also the shop foreman at my dealer called chrysler tech office about this condition and they said the shudder is normal in american axles with the limited slip. They say this new L/S is very tight, they were specifically made that way because to many people complained about the dana axles with the L/S because they did not seem to work good.

 

[proudrammer]

DC flew in a new axle... . the bearings in the other one were totally destroyed... no one claims to know the reason for this failure. The only thing that kept the wheel from falling off the vehcile was the calibre from the new rear disk brakes. We could have been in volved in a very serious crash as a result of this major axle malfunction



My truck now has a vibratiob through the drivetrain at 100km (60mph) and above. At 120 km. . the vibration turns into a noise which is easily heard in the cab. The tech does not know what maybe causing it.



Given the truck was 4 days old when these problems occurred and the replacement of the axle did not solve the problem. . I suggested to DC that they take the truck back and give me a new one. there is something more wrong with my truck than just the axle. Dc owes it to all of us who have invested in these trucks to get to the bottom of this problem to make a wrong right to protect the integrity of these mew HD's. I have asked for a new truck as I don't feel I should have to wait to use my truck as an expertiment for trial and error to determine what the problem is. My dealer is not supportive in this regard



Meeting with the delaer tomorrow... in the meantime I have refused to take th truck from the dealer as it is defective and unsafe to drive



A very frustrated, confused and disapppointed Proudrammer

 

[DIESELMAN]

eowens -



I'll try that to see what happens. I don't notice it all the time, I might just be used to it.



DM

 

[DIESELMAN]

proudrammer -



What state are you in? I'd run the truck in daily for a week with the same complaint then LemonLaw it.

 

[ddutil]

Proudrammer, let us know if there is any kind of pressure we can put on DC Canada or Transport Canada that would help you get out of this mess (like a letter to my dealer that will deliver my 2003 in a few weeks?). Dan

 

[Pit Bull]

I would not be talking to the Dealer, you need to talk with DC and a Lawyer. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

 

[D808]

Proudrammer,



If the bearings failed first, I personally believe that your axle was void of lubricant. Especially at such a low mileage. Perhaps the dealership changed their story to avoid liability with DC. The test lab at DC should determine very quickly if that was the case.



Your drive shaft probably suffered damage when the axle locked up. I believe that is the source of the vibration you are now noticing.



Don't despair! Your truck will be new again once the vibration is taken care of. I would keep bugging DC until they make it right.

Remember, your Ram isn't permanently damaged like it would have been if it had been wrecked.



Federalman

 

[MidwestMotorman]

Vibration

I would have the dealership put both tires on their tire balancer machine. You may have damaged a rim, a tire, or both when the breakage happened. You may have flat-spotted a tire if one side momentarily seized when the breakage occured. You also could have broken a belt if all the weight was transferred to one side of the tire.

 

[rdolan]

Proudrammer,



Sorry to hear about your bad experience thus far with your new HD Ram. I hope DC will do whatever it takes to restore your confidence.



I must say though, I don't understand what happened:



A complete lack of lube condition would leave a clear trail of evidence, eg, discoloration of the R&P and a burnt oder that would have had every tech in the shop hollering when the rear cover was removed. Did you see the parts?



I'm not familiar with the American Axle hub/drive configuration. Do I understand their second explantion to mean that the drive flange-to-hub bolts backed out? If you're up to it, a fuller explanation would be appreciated.



I worked 5 years in a dealership service department (85-90) and can tell you that Pit Bull is 100% right on the money when he recommends dealing directly with DC. This isn't a paint defect at 90,000 miles where the regional rep needs to deliberate. This is a serious incident that should have DC's full attention, and they must be motivated to do whatever it takes to satisfy you.



I can only expand on Pit Bull's recommendation by adding that you make it very clear to DC, in writing, what it will take to satisfy you on this issue, and stick to it. And never, ever, EVER have your truck in for service and not get a copy of the repair order.



Best wishes from Germany.

 

[proudrammer]

Thanks for your support guys...



I did see the bearing... it was destroyed in a hundred peices or more... the parts looked like they hard totally evoporated under the pressure... I neglected to smell the parts for burning.



All DC representatives were in Vegas the later part of last week and with the memorial holiday, it will be tuesday before they get hopping on this matter. My dealer has told me that my truck and failure has reached the highest levels of the DC Corp. they are committed to resolving this matter ASAP.



I have asked for a replacement vehicle and for DC to take my vehicle and return it to engineering for complete testing to determine what the cause of this failure was and the subsequent vibration if it cannot be found at the local level in the next few days. My dealer as suggested that I receive my money back and I start over to get a new vehicle:--) Do they think I am stupid. Give me my money back, attempt to negociate a new price... I have a good price on my truck... give me a straight trade... . it would appear the dealer is trying to make a few thousand more bucks... . not going to happen. I have a request in to speak with a Distrcit rep on this matter... . I am awaiting his phone call.



Although I have had a snag with this vehicle... I have every faith in the vehicle and DC. I seriously contemplated looking for another manufactors diesel... . not an option . . Dc and Cummins are leaders of the pack in every regard... I will stick with the best. If my vehicle cannot be repaired within the next few days... Dc owes it to all of us to take the vehicle and strip it down to determine what the problem is and recommend solutions so these parts will not fail again. DC owes this to all of us who have made an investment in this new HD Ram, and to those who are holding off on committing to purchase this new product with the apparant problematic Americian Axle Differentials. Can you imagine the phone calls between DC and Americian Axle... . I would not want to be the worker responsble for ensuring the proper amount of lubricant in these differentials... .



DC in recent accompanying literature with brocheres on the new HD Ram states"... our focus is on ensuring that from the moment of purchase, your vehicle experience, including any service and maintenance needs, is as rewarding and satisfying as possible" I will hold them to this promise and committment to ensure they do the right thing with my 3 day old HD RAM if the problem cannot be corrected in the next few days. We want a new Ram. Take the old one and determine for certain the cause of the failure in driveline components... prodect the intregity of this new beautiful truck. I fthey fail to do this... . I know of 2 people right now who are holding back until this matter is resolved. I have told them that the RAm is a very good quality... but I hit a manufactors defect which is being addressed. They are awaiting the resolution before making the investment





Regards



Proudrammer

 

[D808]

No axle, nor any other mechanical device for that matter, will operate very long without lubricant. Given the low mileage on your truck, and the fact that you weren't hauling a load, I can't believe that any properly lubricated component in your vehicle would have failed in such a catastrophic manner! According to American Axle, the torque capacity of the AAM 1150 rear axle is 8327 lb. ft. , and the G. A. W. rating is 13,261 lbs. (those figures are converted from AAM's metric ratings). That's a whole lot of axle!!!!! Without a load, your axle would probably have operated satisfactorily for a few miles without sufficient lubricant. When roller bearings fail, they fail very fast. Also, when roller bearings sieze, other things break!!! The momentum of your truck at the time of bearing siezure would no doubt have damaged components on both sides of the frozen bearing. (driveshaft and wheel attachments). Knowing how roller bearing failures can actually twist 6 inch diameter solid steel axles completely into on moving railroad freight cars, I have no doubt that a wheel bearing seizure on your Dodge could have caused the stud failure you mentioned, and the vibration you are now experiencing.



The only other logical explanation for the failure of your AAM axle would be improper assembly, which would reflect on American Axle, rather than Dodge. Considering the size and capacity of the AAM 1150, I believe the odds for improper design engineering would be a trillion to one!!!! I've been driving my 2003 quad cab, 4X4 dually for 2 weeks now (Big Red the Second), and I would darn near bet my life on the capabilities of the AAM axle, and the capabilities of the total truck package in general!!! Your luck just really went south for a while. But it sounds like DC responded very quickly by flying in a new axle. (Good luck getting brand X or Y to do that!!!!!) Now, I really believe that a new driveshaft will correct the vibration problems. I owned a two month old 1966 GTO that had a slightly similar problem. After dropping down to 3rd gear to pass a slowly moving (probably about 60 m. p. h. ) car, I shifted back to 4th after completing the pass. Because a pin became dislodged from the reverse idler shaft in the transmission, it fell into reverse instead of 4th. When I engaged the clutch, all HELL broke loose!!!!!! The bellhousing was shattered and the drive shaft was twisted. the dealer made it right, but I was driving a Corvair loaner for about a month.



Federalman

 

[proudrammer]

Thanks Federalman... . no doubt given all the postings of axles with low lubricant levels... Americian axle is also anxious to get to the bottom of this matter... given they just received the contract for DC.



AS I stated previously... I have every faith in this truck... . just bad luck in receiving this particular vehicle inwhich the rear end was sick from conception!!! I also have every faith in DC to correct the problem to a level which would be the expectation of any new vehicle owner... my standards are no higher than any other normal rational consumer.



I guess one can get a little jumpy after forking out over up front 22g's for a vehicle which is not in the driveway 3 days after delivery. It leaves you with a empty feeling in your stomach... as well as your pocket book



Take care



Proudrammer



I will keep you posted..... but please don't loose faith in the '03 Rams... . they are good vehciles

 

[D808]

Proudrammer,



One more thought... ... Just imagine what the torque of that Cummins could do against a seized up rear axle. Something had to give!!!!!!! And that something was likely the driveshaft. Dodge uses a heavy drive shaft, but it doesn't take much to throw a driveshaft out of kilter. They are balanced very precisely at the factory to avoid vibration.



To share another experience of mine..... I sold my 66 GTO and bought a new 68 Dodge Charger RT. The Charger was a lemon, as it was in the shop numerous times, but I still loved it!!!!! Trucks and cars are just like women..... they are stubborn, bossy, unpredictable, independent and aren't always operating when you need them. But if God made anything better, he must have kept it for himself!!!!!



Federalman

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

proudrammer

Get up at 'em Tiger but keep it cool. Show the perfect giant it can make an even bigger mistake by losing brand loyal customers like yourself and thousands of others! 'Cause that my friend is no way to do buisness. Without the consumer ... ... ... Man i get so P!$$ed when any large Co forgets it's roots. The company I work for has taught me to "Take ownership of any situation and empower yourself to make the right decision. " Granted I work for a Real Estate Development Corp but many situations need to be addressed with the upmost in sensitivity. Wether on a municipal level or even Governmental. I hope this matter goes into a perfect storybook end for ya.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

ttt well I hope things are rollin'

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Originally posted by proudrammer

I will keep you posted..... but please don't loose faith in the '03 Rams... . they are good vehciles

Posting ... Posting ..... 1 . 2. 3 proud I hope all is going ... . Uhh how do I dare say this ... ... Smoothly

 

[kwoods]

moving to the top... .

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Gee this up and puked huh?