Not certain, but I think I'm getting some noise out of the rear differential housing. At highway speeds and generally in OD I have the occasional sound of grinding/slippage (hard to describe) but only for about a half a second. It has gradually worsened over the last year and I've basically decided to wait until it was more consistent. Well, now it's reaching that point.

Vehicle specs: '97 1500 4x4 w/ 5.9L, auto tranny and 160K mi.

Tranny seems smooth and engine is strong, generally speaking. No leakage (just typical high miles seepage) evident on anything.

Any ideas? Also, any idea of cost to rebuild rear end? If I end up rebuilding, what gear ratio would be best for increased pulling power?

Many thanks!

 

Well, it could be bearings going out in the rear end. Could be worn gears causing too much backlash resulting in noise. It could also be your overdrive unit in your transmission. The overdrive is a seperate planetary gearbox on the back of the trans. They didn't have proper oiling to it until a redesign in '98, so that could be wearing out on you too. With 160k miles, any of these are possible.

As for gears, the parts will cost about $500. Shops usually charge another $500-700 to install them, depending on how much experience they have with it. You can do it yourself if you're really careful and take your time. It's not that difficult, just have to have a lot of patience. With 285/75 tires, you'll want to go with 4.10:1 ratio.

 

Cost is about what I thought. I had a friend who's a mechanic look at it and he thought it was the rear gears based on the play in the drive shaft at the back. The U-joints seemed to be okay and there was no play at the back of the tranny. Normally I'd have him do the work, but his eyes aren't what they used to be and he doesn't do too many differentials.

 

I am interested in the 4:10 gears. Any links out there of showing replacement? How about places to buy them? I have stock gears in my 97. When put into reverse the rear-end clanks. I need to check my u-joints, but like the sound of adding the gears. What are the pluses and drawbacks?

 

Positives-

Better mileage (generally)
More pulling power
Better Acceleration
Less strain on drivetrain components


Negatives-

Initial cost
Vehicle downtime
Have to regear speedometer

 

when i changed gears in my jeep from 3.73 to 4.88 i only had to get the little gear that goes on the t case to acomidate the new ratio, is that the same case in the dodge trucks as well, when you change gears you will run a bit higher rpms too, but nothing that should cause harm. i wish the ram came in a 4.10 ratio myself . and as far as replacement goes its time intensive and requires correct backlash settings , or it will whine like a ******. parts can run from about 500, but the labor ican be crazy...500 and up for each differential. i found a guy locally in my old town that did both for 500 aas long as i puller the axels first. it was worth every penny. the increase in power was awesome. i thought of even looking for a newer rear end with disc brakes and 4.10 in it at the salvage yards , but no luck so far