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Differential

Tiny
SAVONNASDADDY
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 DODGE RAM
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
My truck is a 1500 and I received the recall notice for the pinion nut possibly coming loose. I have a noise while accelerating at all speeds and a noise on decelerating from twenty to thirty mph. Could the pinion nut cause this? I think it sounds like the pinion bearings are bad. Could a loose pinion nut cause bad bearings? Also if it is a loose pinion that caused bad bearings or any other damage will that damage be repaired under the recall or will I have to pay out of pocket?
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Saturday, October 22nd, 2016 AT 8:31 AM

35 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
On recall it says to replace pinion nut due to making driveshaft fall off, so check with dealer when you take it in and complain about it. If nut were to come loose it would effect the pinion bearings.
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Saturday, October 22nd, 2016 AT 11:37 AM
Tiny
OILCREEK
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2004 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 71,000 MILES
We have been getting a whinning noise in the rear of the truck. It starts at about 35 mph and lessens at 60 mph. It sounds like the whine of a siren. We took it to a mechanic and he suggested it was the pinion bearing though he wasn't sure. Any suggestions?
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
It could be the pinion bearing or even an axle bearing. Was the differential ever serviced?
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OILCREEK
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I don't believe the differential was ever serviced. I will have to tell the mechanic to check the axle bearing. The truck is at the mechanics today.

I do know there are some sort of pins in the pinion bearing area that were broke. The mechanic fixed them hoping that it would fix the whine noise. It didn't, so he was thinking about replacing the main pinion bearing.

I will let you know what I find out!

Thanks!
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
Chances are that is the problem. Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OILCREEK
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The pinion bearing was replaced and the truck still makes the same whinning noise. It still starts at about 35 mph, and stops at about 60 mph. It seems that it is only happening when we are pressing on the accelerator. So we are still confused! The mechanic was almost positive it was the pinion bearing when he removed it as it was all pitted. It wasn't though! Any other suggestions?
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
Are you sure the noise is coming from the differential and not the transfer case? The transfer case is in about the middle of the truck and I have seen the output bearing go bad on them and make that type of noise.
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHANETHETRAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2001 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 106,000 MILES
I have a 2001 dodge ram 1500 4x4. I had a lot of low grinding/winding in the rear of the truck. Thought it may be a pinion bearing so I began taking the differential apart. I couldnt remove the gear assembly to get to the pinion bearing. I then took the pinion bolt out of the gears and unfortunately turned the driveshaft to remove the bolts and the gears fell out. (Dumb move I know.I do know better) I have the axels pulled and everything and cannot figure out how to remove the rest. I have all but one bolt removed on the driveshaft but cant remember how to get the driveshaft to stop spinning. Im thinking I bit off more than I can chew. Please help a ticked off dodge owner.
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
OILCREEK
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I am not sure truthfully. I just know it is behind me when driving. Could be near the middle of the truck. I will call the mechanic and let him know.

I will keep you updated.

Thanks
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,864 POSTS
You need a case spreader to get the differential out. It consists of four bars pinned together to form a rectangle. Two bars have pins that slide into the two holes in the left and right side of the housing, then the lower bar has a turnbuckle that you turn with a wrench. The unit opens the housing up just enough to pull the differential out.
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SEANR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have the exact same problem with the exact same truck. All the symptoms are identical
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHANETHETRAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Ah that makes sense. Thanks a lot. Can I get that at an autozone or oriellys to rent?
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,645 POSTS
The best thing I can recommend is this. Take the vehicle to a shop and they will have to put it on a rack, start the engine, put it in gear, and then have them listen to where the noise is coming from. It is hard to tell for sure without being there.

Let me know what you find,

Joe
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,864 POSTS
It's worth asking but it's kind of a specialty tool that the typical do-it-yourselfer wouldn't ask for. If you're on good terms with the local Chrysler dealer, they might borrow you theirs. Some GM trucks use similar axles so they might have the tool too.
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHANETHETRAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Ok thanks. I already checked autozone and they definitely dont have one. Ill go into my local dealer tomorrow and see what I can do.
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SHANETHETRAIN
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2001 DODGE RAM
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 106,000 MILES
I had a lot of low grinding/winding in the rear of the truck. Thought it may be a pinion bearing so I began taking the differential apart. I cannot remove the gear assembly to get to the pinion bearing. I already removed the 2 cuffs on the side im not sure what they are called. I tried taking the pinion bolt out from in between the gears and stupidly moved the driveshaft and the small gears fell out. So I then took out the c clamps and pulled both axles. I have all but 1 of the driveshaft bolts removed also. So now I have no choice but to take out the gear assembly but I cannot figure out how. And I cant remember how I git the driveshaft to stop spinning to take out the previous 3 bolts. Im sure Ive bitten off more than I can chew. Please help me!
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-1
Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hello,

Here are the instructions on how to disassemble the differential on your truck. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SCOTT.RODD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1997 DODGE RAM
1997 Dodge Ram V8 Four Wheel Drive Automatic

I am looking to buy a 97 Dodge Ram 4x4. The guy says the ring and pinion for the rear end needs to be fixed fixed. Could someone tell me about how much im looking at to get it fixed. I don't wanna over spend fixing something and I could find something else. Any help or advice would be appreciated.
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CYBER TECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 23 POSTS
Depending on exactly what is wrong and what is required in the way of parts, you can expect to pay $1000-$1500 for a diff overhaul.

Labor and parts costs vary by location, so this is the high end of the estimate.
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MASOY
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
  • 2005 DODGE RAM
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • RWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,016 MILES
Can damage result from overfilling the rear axle assembly on my truck?
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Sunday, September 1st, 2019 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)

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