Just spoke to the shop. Said the ring and pinion were border line worn and could be the issue. I mentioned the comments here n he said he set backlash right where it was, references a 7 using a dial indicator.

Says bring it in and they'll check it. If parts are needed, he won't charge labor. Sounds like a big job to redo free labor.

No sound before. My son suggested the 222 miles drive this weekend could have ruined the gears already from their apparent assembly mistake, and they'll likely say it's how it was..... great.

 

At the price you showed it had better be done correct if the ring and pinion needs replacing get a quality set you are better off spending for good gear sets not cheap.

Maybe you should call one of these specialty ring and pinion places and ask a few questions

http://www.ringpinion.com/

http://www.justdifferentials.com/

 

Damn thats y i hate shops...Sounds to me like they just took it out and put em back in where it was and didn't even bother checking the backlash..i think the marker paint is the best way to check em...they like to throw around language you prolly dont understand, ya know the old saying if ya can't dazzle em with brilliance baffle em with BS..the number he was referencing to was a 7 thousandths play, if i am reading it right..just glad to hear they aint gonna charge ya labor. Like 98dak said ask a specialty shop..Just an opinion

 

Sounds like the shop messed up and are trying to BS you. At least they're offering to fix it free of labour charges, which sort of sounds like an admission of guilt.

I can recommend Nitro gears from Just Differentials. I got a complete set (both axles) fitted earlier this year and I'm very pleased with them. As has been stated elsewhere, don't go for the very cheapest, as some can be noisy (even when correctly fitted!). The Nitro's are as quiet as the factory ones that came out but about half the price of Originals (if I remember correctly).

 

Question is, though. They were not noisy before, so could they have been bad or needed replaced all along?

OR

Due to their messing something up, I get to buy new gears and they put them in free?

Thanks all!

 

It is unlikely the gears were "bad" before. If they were damaged they would have made noise.

They may still be able to be "saved" IF someone can correctly determine the original wear pattern and then set it up so that they match - again. The wear paint is a good method. Of course the more you drive it the less likely that is to happen.

 

If they are still offering to fit new gears free of labour charges, I'd take it! You'll have a completely rebuilt rear end.

 

Not wanting to trust myself, please see the link and let me know if I need more than just this item:
http://www.justdifferentials.com/ind...oducts_id=3423

$300 more, the wife would go balistic! If I'm going to dish out this cash, should I consider a change in ratio? Love my current performance, always want better gas mileage.

Bet I'm going to hear, "you get 18+ highway miles and you like your performance? Keep the 3.55.) Guess I just need to hear it. lol

Thanks.

 

I’m no expert on gearing but anything different could drop your gas mileage like changing to a 3.92 would give you more power in the gears but reduce your gas mileage a little how much I can’t say.

If you changed your tire height on your Dakota from stock recommend size/height changing to a 3.92 could have some good benefits for you.

Have you ever felt a loss of power cliaming mountain roads or heavy head winds and how much do you encounter the loss of power? What is the most common driving conditions for you hills or flat roads?

This will help you decide if changing to the 3.92 will benefit you and think on this going from the 3.55 to the 3.92 is a very small change you may only notice a small change but more power to the wheels.

But I’m no expert as I said get more opinions first

 

Right... If I went to a lower set, I'd be slower off the line but get maybe get higher mileage per gallon.

Really not worth it. If I had studied up before my recent tire purchase, I would have gone with the 1" taller tire (no lift on truck), to which a gear change now may have been desired.

How about which gear sets to get? so far, just have the input on Nitro. I've even found machine shops in the USA that will make them for less.

Sorry I've become such a question hound.. learning takes time (for me).

Thanks again!