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[QUOTE=Katmandu;3216662]Ok, just got back in after jacking the rear end/rear tires off the ground.
Transmission in Park. Could not in anyway, shape or form turn either rear wheel by hand. Natta.
Transmission in Neutral. Turning either wheel by hand made the other wheel turn in the SAME direction. No hint of a wheel attempt to turn in the opposite direction.
Conclusion ??
I'd say your differential is in SERIOUSLY messed up condition. You should be able to spin a wheel on either side, with or without the trac-loc. As HillBillE stated, you may have a ill mannered Lincoln Locker on your hands. That could explain the lack of tags on the diff housing bolts. The PO never bothered to re install or just removed them all together when the welding occurred. Either way............ PULL THE STINKING COVER! And Pray you don't find something like THIS:
I talked with the mechanic (does seem pretty competent). He claimed he did pull the cover. On his inspection, he said he saw no damage to anything inside AND no metal parts/pieces inside.
He also said it is an OPEN rear end. He said he didn't see a locker unit inside. ... just the spider gears. (ring/pinion obviously as well). ???? I'm scratching my head on this comment.
I took him for a short ride in the truck and reproduced the noise. I don't know how he missed hearing it the first time.
Anyways, they are going to do another full inspection (take the cover OFF) of the differential again tomorrow AM. .......... No Charge.
This time, I'm going to insist on looking inside myself. Hopefully, the Mgr won't chase me away like Magnethead! LOL!
This time, I'm going to insist on looking inside myself. Hopefully, the Mgr won't chase me away like Magnethead! LOL!
I will take/post up pics.
If he does chase you off (many shops cannot let customers in the work area due to insurance BS)
Then insist on a pic, while it is apart.
There's a lot going on inside the axle when turning, and the loads produced while on the ground, are hard to impossible to recreate when the rig is in the air.
When you turn, the outer axle pushes in on the center pin, the inside one wants to pull out.
The axle is also a semi float design, meaning the weight of the truck is carried by the bearing and axleshaft.
Could be many things, but the fact that both wheels spin the same direction when jacked up, and the diff is open (per the mech), tells me it is in the diff itself.
If he does chase you off (many shops cannot let customers in the work area due to insurance BS)
Then insist on a pic, while it is apart.
There's a lot going on inside the axle when turning, and the loads produced while on the ground, are hard to impossible to recreate when the rig is in the air.
When you turn, the outer axle pushes in on the center pin, the inside one wants to pull out.
The axle is also a semi float design, meaning the weight of the truck is carried by the bearing and axleshaft.
Could be many things, but the fact that both wheels spin the same direction when jacked up, and the diff is open (per the mech), tells me it is in the diff itself.
Here's some more good info I just found. I did not know the physical difference (appearance-wise) between a Open and Traction-loc Chrysler 8.25" differential.
Here's great pic below. Note: NOT pics from my truck's differential.
OPEN on the TOP
Traction-Loc on the BOTOM.
Obvious differences in the casing.
Last edited by Katmandu; Dec 29, 2014 at 03:24 PM.
I talked with the mechanic (does seem pretty competent). He claimed he did pull the cover. On his inspection, he said he saw no damage to anything inside AND no metal parts/pieces inside.
He also said it is an OPEN rear end. He said he didn't see a locker unit inside. ... just the spider gears. (ring/pinion obviously as well). ???? I'm scratching my head on this comment.
I took him for a short ride in the truck and reproduced the noise. I don't know how he missed hearing it the first time.
Anyways, they are going to do another full inspection (take the cover OFF) of the differential again tomorrow AM. .......... No Charge.
This time, I'm going to insist on looking inside myself. Hopefully, the Mgr won't chase me away like Magnethead! LOL!
I will take/post up pics.
As you have just found out with BOTH types you WILL see spider gears when you take off the cover. The difference in the carrier housing is the tell. And it is difficult to see for sure. A TRUE locker will take the place of the spider gears but not with some limited slip types, like the trac-loc.
I will be very interested to see pictures of your differential with the cover off.
Or, pull the cover and post a picture. You're probably going to have to do that anyways to inspect the gears.
Just received the Build sheet today.
VIN 1B7GL22X6WS532667
Vehicle Description DODGE DAKOTA P/U CLUB CAB
Model Year 1998
Body Model AN 1 L 31
Color PCU- Deep Amethyst Pearl Coat
ISD 09/16/1997
Sales Code Description
*V9 Cloth 40/20/40 Bench Seat
-C3 Mist Gray
ADAP Light Group
AJBP Security Group
AJKP Deluxe Convenience Group
AJPP Power Convenience Group
APAS Monotone Paint
ASPP SLT Decor Group
A02P #2 Engineering Development Zone
BAUS 117 Amp Alternator
BCES 600 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BGJS Pwr Disc/Drum Rr Anti-Lock Brakes
BKES 9x2.5 HD Rear Drum Brakes
CBEP 40/20/40 Split Bench Seat
CBVP Cloth Door Trim Panel w/Map Pocket
CCAS Rear Fold Under Seat Storage
CGWS Next Generation Front Air Bags**
CGZS Passenger Air Bag On/Off Switch
CJTS Seat Track Cover
CKES Front Seat Area Carpet
DGB All 4-Speed Automatic Transmissions
DGKS 4-Spd. Automatic 42RE Transmission
DHAP Lock-Up Torque Converter
DMDP 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio
DRAS Corporate 8.25 Rear Axle
EAAC All Engines
EHC 3.9L V6 SMPI Engine
GACS Tinted Glass Windows
GBBS Tinted Windshield Glass
GCBS Front Door Tinted Glass
GEGS Deep Tint Sunscreen Glass
GFDP Rear Sliding Window
GNAS Rear View Day/Night Mirror
GNDP Driver Side Sun Visor
GNEP Passenger Side Sun Visor w/Mirror
GT4 Power 6 X 9 Mirrors, Fold-Away
GVBC All Vehicles W/Power Mirrors
GXRP Keyless Entry
HAAP Air Conditioning
HGAP Hood Insulation
HGDP Deluxe Insulation Group
JAYP Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JCBS 120 MPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JJAS Cigar Lighter
JJBP Dual Note Electric Horns
JJJP 12V Power Outlet Mounted in IP
JPAP Power Windows
JPBP Power Locks
LAAP Ignition Time Delay Lamp
LBBP Courtesy Lamps
LBCP Glove Box Lamp
LBDP Ash Tray Lamp
LDAP Underhood Lamp
LMBS Halogen Headlamps
LNJ Fog Lamps
LPEP Cargo Lamp
LPSS CHMSL Lamp
LSAP Security Alarm
MBBP Bright Front Bumper
MBFP Bright Rear Bumper
MDAP Front License Plate Bracket
MFDP Bright Grille
MHAS Black Windshield Moldings
MLCS Gray Fascias
MUMP Dakota Badge
MURP Dodge Badge
MUZP SLT Badge
NAA Federal Emissions
NBKS EVAP Control System
NFBP 22 Gallon Fuel Tank
NHMP Speed Control
PCU Deep Amethyst Pearl Coat
QCUS Deep Amethyst Pearl Coat
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RASS AM/FM Cassette Radio
RCDP 4 Speakers
RDDP Fixed Long Mast Antenna
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCDS Luxury Steering Wheel
SFBS Front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SGBS Rear Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SHAS Front Stabilizer Bar
SUAP Tilt Steering Column
TBBS Full Size Spare Tire
TBMS Tire Carrier Winch
TMEP P215/75R15 OWL All Season Tires
TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WJ1P 15X7.0 Aluminum 5-Spoke Wheels
XBSS Pickup Box
YAAS Build To U.S. Mkt. Specifications
Just like your glovebox sheet said: 8.25 axle with 3.55 gears. So what your truck was built with was an open differential. What you have in it now, who knows? Have you pulled the cover or seen inside yet?
Basically the mechanic miss ID'd the rear end and didn't put in the Friction Modifier. Took it back in this AM. They redid the job to include adding in the Friction Modifier (which BTW they didn't have and had to special order/deliver in). The mechanic showed me there is NO physical damage visible to anything inside the differential.
The owner had the gall to Charge me and additional $31 for the Friction Modifier. I was dumb enough pay. (Kicking myself now....)
Thing that really sucks is the rear end is still making the same grinding/crunching noises. Obviously, the LF clutch pack on the axle is bound up. Probably worn out clutches on that side.
Update.
I have not driven the truck very much (50 miles or so) since the diff oil was changed out (to include the Friction modifier).
On last drive around, I noticed a marked DECREASE (not totally absent) in crunching/grinding noise emitting from the Left Rear axle! Much less noise.
Perhaps the rear end clutches needed some time to absorbed the Friction Modifier and the Friction Modifier in the old diff oil was worn out. ????
Last edited by Katmandu; Jan 21, 2015 at 09:05 PM.
