differential help needed
Record Breaker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 3
From: Battle Ground WA
Just checked they did do a axle shaft swap. They said it fit right in. Check out https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...swap-pics.html
So it is a easy swap.
So it is a easy swap.
Hall Of Fame
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,923
Likes: 19
From: NM
Ya 29 splines would be sweet! But the 27's still have not let me down. Even while rock crawling several times and with the 5.9. So the 27's are not bad at all. I would have done it long time ago my self but I would have to buy a new locker.
Thread Starter
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Rookie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
So it's getting to be spring here and it's almost time to put the dakota back on the road. I'm hoping to use it to do a lot of work this year but one thing is bothering me. After I got the diff figured out and put back together, she started singing to me. The harmonics would be quite nice if it weren't an indication of a problem. It didn't do this before so I'm wondering what to do about it. What do you think? I'm a little leery of taking it too far like that. Thanks!
Champion
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,839
Likes: 5
From: Apex, NC
Can you be more specific than just "singing to me?" What kind of noise is it and when does it make the noise?
My first guess is that its either the ring and pinion gears or a pinion bearing.
Read these and tell us if either sounds like your problem...
also cause a snapping or a knocking noise.
is usually not noticeable at speeds above 30 mph.
My first guess is that its either the ring and pinion gears or a pinion bearing.
Read these and tell us if either sounds like your problem...
GEAR NOISE
Axle gear noise can be caused by insufficient lubricant.
Incorrect backlash, tooth contact, or worn/damaged
gears can cause noise.
Gear noise usually happens at a specific speed
range. The range is 30 to 40 mph, or above 50 mph.
The noise can also occur during a specific type of
driving condition. These conditions are acceleration,
deceleration, coast, or constant load.
When road testing, accelerate the vehicle to the
speed range where the noise is the greatest. Shift
out-of-gear and coast through the peak-noise range.
If the noise stops or changes greatly, check for insufficient
lubricant. Incorrect ring gear backlash, or
gear damage can cause noise changes.
Differential side and pinion gears can be checked
by turning the vehicle. They usually do not cause
noise in straight-ahead driving. These gears are
loaded during vehicle turns. If noise does occur during
vehicle turns, the side or pinion gears could be
worn or damaged. A worn pinion gear mate shaft can
Axle gear noise can be caused by insufficient lubricant.
Incorrect backlash, tooth contact, or worn/damaged
gears can cause noise.
Gear noise usually happens at a specific speed
range. The range is 30 to 40 mph, or above 50 mph.
The noise can also occur during a specific type of
driving condition. These conditions are acceleration,
deceleration, coast, or constant load.
When road testing, accelerate the vehicle to the
speed range where the noise is the greatest. Shift
out-of-gear and coast through the peak-noise range.
If the noise stops or changes greatly, check for insufficient
lubricant. Incorrect ring gear backlash, or
gear damage can cause noise changes.
Differential side and pinion gears can be checked
by turning the vehicle. They usually do not cause
noise in straight-ahead driving. These gears are
loaded during vehicle turns. If noise does occur during
vehicle turns, the side or pinion gears could be
worn or damaged. A worn pinion gear mate shaft can
also cause a snapping or a knocking noise.
BEARING NOISE
The axle shaft, differential and pinion gear bearings
can all produce noise when worn or damaged.
Bearing noise can be either a whining, or a growling
sound.
Pinion gear bearings have a constant-pitch noise.
This noise changes only with vehicle speed. Pinion
bearing noise will be higher because it rotates at a
faster rate. Drive the vehicle and load the differential.
If bearing noise occurs the pinion rear bearing is
the source of the noise. If the bearing noise is heard
during a coast, front bearing is the source.
Worn, damaged differential bearings usually produce
a low pitch noise. Differential bearing noise is
similar to pinion bearing. The pitch of differential
bearing noise is also constant and varies only with
vehicle speed.
Axle shaft bearings produce noise and vibration
when worn or damaged. The noise generally changes
when the bearings are loaded. Road test the vehicle.
Turn the vehicle sharply to the left and to the right.
This will load the bearings and change the noise
level. Where axle bearing damage is slight, the noise
The axle shaft, differential and pinion gear bearings
can all produce noise when worn or damaged.
Bearing noise can be either a whining, or a growling
sound.
Pinion gear bearings have a constant-pitch noise.
This noise changes only with vehicle speed. Pinion
bearing noise will be higher because it rotates at a
faster rate. Drive the vehicle and load the differential.
If bearing noise occurs the pinion rear bearing is
the source of the noise. If the bearing noise is heard
during a coast, front bearing is the source.
Worn, damaged differential bearings usually produce
a low pitch noise. Differential bearing noise is
similar to pinion bearing. The pitch of differential
bearing noise is also constant and varies only with
vehicle speed.
Axle shaft bearings produce noise and vibration
when worn or damaged. The noise generally changes
when the bearings are loaded. Road test the vehicle.
Turn the vehicle sharply to the left and to the right.
This will load the bearings and change the noise
level. Where axle bearing damage is slight, the noise
is usually not noticeable at speeds above 30 mph.
Last edited by 95_318SLT; Mar 19, 2010 at 01:50 PM.
Thread Starter
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Rookie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 75
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Thanks 95_318SLT! The noise is a high pitch sort of harmonic sound kinda like when you rub your finger around the rim of a crystal wine glass. The pitch varies somewhat with speed and happens once a certain speed is reached, not sure which speed it is but the 30 to 40 sounds about right. For sure there is some wear in the gears, especially the pinion, but before I worked on it it didn't make any noise at all other than a clunk when shifting into drive or reverse (automatic).
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From: new glasgow, nova scotia
thats a locker. i was going to ask the simple question if both rear wheels where off the ground if it was an open diff.
don't know much about locking diffs but try holding one axle steady on the outer flange with a pry bar between the studs and rotating the other axle with a pry bar until it aligns. going to need a couple of friends to help.
don't know much about locking diffs but try holding one axle steady on the outer flange with a pry bar between the studs and rotating the other axle with a pry bar until it aligns. going to need a couple of friends to help.
Thread Starter
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Rookie
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 1
I have another question. A couple months after working on the diff, my abs and another light came on and stay on permanently. The back brakes are not working at all. I found a thread that talked about a sensor on the diff. Could it be that the diff is not aligned correctly and causing the sensor not to read properly, or maybe metal fragments from the wearing are screwing up the sensor. Seems like it could be likely but I'm not certain. Thanks!
