While making low speed (15-25MPH) sharp, left hand turns, I'm noticing strange noises which appear to be coming from the rear end of my truck. This does NOT happen while making Right turns.... ONLY left turns.

It appears the LR wheel is binding up and the tire is skipping (not turning smoothly) during the turn. Going straight ahead, there is no noticeable noises coming from the rearend.

I don't know what type rear end (Posi-traction...Traction Lock...Limited slip or whatever Dodge calls theirs) in back there.

What's going on back there and how do I identify what type rear end my truck has in it ?

 

Count the number of bolts on the cover, that'll tell us if it's an 8.25 (10 bolt) or 9.25 (12 bolts). There should be an ID tag on it.

You can also get a build sheet for your truck, here: https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ur-dakota.html

Or, pull the cover and post a picture. You're probably going to have to do that anyways to inspect the gears.

Pull the drums and check out the brakes too. They can make funny noises.

On my truck, it makes a weird noise when the fluid is due to be changed, about 30k - I have the trac-lok so the fluid gets VERY messy.

 

Ok, did Dodge use the same type/manufacturer rear ends as GMs ??

 

Nope.

 

Who manufactures Dodge rear ends ?

They both happen to use 10-12 bolt rear ends ?

BTW, here's a cool website for info on Rear end differentials.

http://www.ringpinion.com/DiffWizard.aspx

 

Chrysler made it. It's their design. The ring gear sizes are different with GM. Their 10 bolt is an 8.2" and their 12 bolt is 8.875".

Maybe I confused you by posting the # of bolts.

Dodge ID's them as either an 8 1/4" or 9 1/4" rear ends - not by the number of bolts holding the cover on.

You can use the cover bolts to identify what you are looking at though.

 

Yes, the 10/12 bolt thing. I'm old school and remember those.

Chrysler has a 7.25" rear end as well somewhere....

 

GM has the 10/12/14 bolt, Dana has the 25/30/35/44/60/70/70HD/80/110/130, Sterling has the 11.25, and Chrysler has the 7.5/8.25/9.25. I may have missed a few in there. Ford has the 9, 8.8....and that's all I know of. And I know the 8.8 has a 5.71 gear option ...for what, I have no idea. http://www.yukongear.com/ProductDeta...px?ProdID=1955

 

with the locker I have (and given the amount of rear weight bias in my truck, it's effectively a spool seeing as it rarely unlocks), I just try to generally avoid sharp turns. I can do parking lots sometimes, and sometimes it will unlock in a parking lot, but 80% of the time if I'm doing something sharper than say 60 degrees, I just whack the throttle and slide the back end around.

 

Took the truck to a local shop to have it checked out yesterday.

All the brakes checked out A-ok.

Nothing mechanical found with the rear end (externally). No loose axle bearings, pinion bearing all ok.

Fluid level appeared to be ok, BUT the mechanic did find the differential was full of FOAM. He speculated the differential fluid 'may' have been driven while it was low. He said the truck would need to sit for a day or two for the foam to subside to get an accurate check of the fluid level. ....Mmmm....Ok.... ??

If in fact the fluid is (was) Low at some point this still begs the question as to WHY there is only grinding noise coming on LEFT turns ONLY. Why not when turning in EITHER direction ?

They wanted $120 to change out the differential fluid. Yea... OK... They also wanted $259 to replace an outer tie rod (part included). Ya want cash ? Not in this lifetime! LMAO!

Anyways, since this is a backup/beater truck and not a daily driver, I'm going to change out the differential fluid myself in the springtime.

Any other ideas ?

TIA