Warped rear axles

[lawdog1]

I have a 2016 Ram 2500, took it to the dealer because when you were cruising (driving on flat road, not accelerating/maintaining speed) you could feel feel a slight “whomp” in the driveline (not a shake but a consistent rhythmic vibration like a tire out of round or unbalanced). The dealer felt what I felt and looked for the problem for days…finally put the truck on the rack and put power to the rear wheel and the wheels and brakes would apparently wobble under power. Further investigation revealed the “run out” on the rear axles is out of spec, one side more that the other but both out…so they are replacing the axles. (I have Maxcare and they are covering it).

This situation was a big surprise to me…never heard of axles wearing out or getting out of round/excessive run off, etc. I tow regularly, but boat and camper are 9-10K, which should be an easy day for the truck. I have maghytec covers and keep them appropriately filled with synthetic lube but something went wrong somewhere. I did have an axle seal weeping on one side that was replaced but that was 40K+ miles ago. In other related news, one of the axles the dealer ordered apparently arrived warped but one would think it was very likely shipping or parts house damage vice factory QC.

If any gear heads have seen this before and have suggestions on repair concerns or other items that should be concurrently assessed or replaced please advise.

 

[NIsaacs]

I doubt it is the axle. Maybe the hub or wheels. I would think that if an axle were slightly out of spec, bolting it to a solid good hub would true it up.

 

[crazy jerry]

i dint know dealers had the equipment to check run out on anything. they can barely manage a successful oil change

 

[Tuesdak]

I doubt it is the axle. Maybe the hub or wheels. I would think that if an axle were slightly out of spec, bolting it to a solid good hub would true it up.

^^^ This!

Dealer is thinking about 1/2 tons...
Full Floating like 2500 and 3500 have mean the axle "floats" only transmitting power: not supporting the vehicle weight.

 

[sag2]

Correct, the drums/rotors run on the hubs, not on the axles. You might want to try a different dealer. In fact if you want to prove it out, remove both axles , stuff a rag in the ends of the tubes, throw it in 4wd and take it for a spin.
If you are going very far, make a cardboard cover so oil does not sling out of the bearings and make a mess.

 

[Flinty]

The axles could be sent to a machine shop to be checked for run-out. The results of that test would be undisputable. I had a chevy that started eating wheel seals; warped axles was the cause. I didn't overwork or abuse the truck. Weird...

 

[lawdog1]

They replaced axles, pinion carrier, and bearings. It was approved and covered on Maxcare warranty.

 

[crazy jerry]

who cares what they replaced. what was the problem and why did it happen

 

[Tuesdak]

So the tires and rims were running true, but, vibration from the rear? Did this cure it?

 

[lawdog1]

Dont know if the repairs fixed the issue because the dealer still has the truck. I am now at 45 days + without the truck at home. The pending issue is a throttle delay that the dealer basically ignored and did not address until I went to get the truck after it was “fixed”. I pulled out of the dealership, felt delay, turned around and took it back. They “feel it” but cannot diagnosis it, have a star report on it, said they are going to do a fuel injector return test (or something like that), but then the ignition module failed (cannot read the key fob) and they cannot start the truck. The module is on backorder. It is a nightmare scenario. Dealers in NWFL/LA can kiss my Alpha they collectively suck out loud.

Regarding the “why” on the axle issue, I don’t know why, but I strongly suspect it is related to an axle seal replacement under warranty some 30K + miles ago, where a different dealer put 3 quarts short in the rear diff (maghytec pan). I told them it required 3-4 extra quarts at drop off, asked if they put in the extra fluid at pick up (they reported they did and there was no extra charge b/c it was bulk oil vice quarts), I left and then checked it when I got home (120 miles later), and it was not properly filled. …should have checked at the dealership…

I have had a DEF pump go out and a trans solenoid both previously strand me while towing and now this situation. I got 2 years and 40K left on Maxcare, figure the turbo actuator is lurking (probably 25 months or 41K miles from now), so I am very soon to be out from under this truck while the gettin’s good.

I bought a Gen 3 truck last week, and am going back to basics. Hopefully it is not out of the frying pan and into the fire.