Hey all,

Today I decided to change the rear diff fluid myself and afterI cracked the pumpkin open and removed the cover I scooped out an irregularpiece of metal that was roughly the size and thickness of a quarter along with a couple of smaller chunks.

My rear diff hasn't given me any problems in the past, and I know that some wear is normal but that seemed like too much. I can't visually see any wear damage, but would it be safe to spray out the diff case with brake parts cleaner to do a more though inspection???

Its a Crysler 9 1/4 axlewith LSD if that makes anydifference. Is it possible some of the trac lock clutch/plate has broken up which is why I haven't noticed any adverse driving conditions?Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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yes its safe to spray it out with brake cleaner, just be sure to let it dry good, and mop up any that collects in the bottom. also clean the magnet in the bottom. save all the pieces and post pics here if you can. you are correct it is most likely lsd pieces, so you may have poor or no lsd function. i've heard they can be rebuilt but have no experience.

 

Added photos to top. Dime is the reference coin

 

So if it is the LSD, should I bother havingitrebuilt or go with an aftermarket? I don'tdo much off roading, mainly jumping medians or making my own exit ramps onto the frontage road, hehe. Anybody with thoughts on a good aftermarket for those that don't offroad much?

I will also be stopping by the local dealership tomorrow morning to discussthe problem. This truck is a 2001 and barely has 70,000 on it. Don't know if I'll get anywhere, but it couldn't hurt to try. None of the drive train parts should be wearing out or breaking for this light of usage.

 

Well, thought I'd update this for future people searching the forums:

The metalwas indeed the part of the stock LSD Clutch. I'm having it replaced with a Detriot TruTrac next Tu esday.
Didn't get anywhere with the dealership. They couldn't even tell me what it was, but I wasn't paying their price to replace it with the stock LSD and have that go out after another 60K. Truck was out of warranty at 36K anyway. Got lucky I guess, that could have done a number on the gearsback there.

 

I agree, 70,000 is all the longer my lasted too.

I got lucky as a friend of mine is a Mopar mechanic and he had a spare LSD laying around and he sold it to me for $200 included the installation!

 

good move. detroit is strong.
if your truck is stock hp and tires <= 33 the powertrax lock-right and noslip are a little less expensive and a diy option.

http://www.performanceoffroadcenter.com/
http://www.offroaders.com/tech/limit...ferentials.htm

 

Ya,I looked at those two parts as well and some folks here at the forum's opinions of them. I ultimately decided a true locker was too much for a 2WD that sees a lot of highway here in the Metroplex, but I liked the thought of the helical gears in the TruTracand having it taken care of once and for all. I almost got talked into an Auburn, but I did a little more research and apparently a few websites claimed the Auburn was non servicable when the conical clutch does finally fail (albeit a long time from now). To be honest, I don't ever really offroad at all: the Auburn seemed to have the advantage there with a closer 50/50 ratio than the TruTrac, but I don't really know how seriously you can get into offroading with just a 2WD.
When I do eventually get a new vehicle, I'd like to keep this one as a back up plaything. I'm hoping that'll be a ways offthough, as I'm enjoying the truck again with all the new found info on this forum. If gas doesn't go up to $18a gallon, I'll be set for a while.

 

Just bought synthetic gear oil to change my diff lube, but after seeing your picks squirrels, I'm afraid to crack my pumpkin open! Good luck with yours..

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed for ya!