I noticed a howl coming from my rear end during the drive home. It turned quickly to a harsh grind. I parked the truck. I am pretty sure it is the rear end. But I have never done a rear end replacement or diagnosis (intermediate garage mechanic). Is this something I can diagnose and fix myself or something that only a pro should look at? Any tips/advice/pointer or where to begins would be greatly appreciated. This is a for a 1998 Ram 1500 Magnum, 2wd, 5.2L. This truck has served me well and has logged 270k miles. I have grown attached and do not want to put it out to pasture. But it may be time. But if this is something I can tackle in my garage (diagnose or fix) that would be great.

 

Pull the cover off the rear diff, and see what you see. Turn various parts by hand, and see if anything feels crunchy. Might be an easy fix, might not. Won't know till ya look.

 

Pull the cover off your rear differential and see what you find. Post pictures.

Edit: HeyYou beat me to it.

 

ok this may be a bone head question, but I just remove the bolts and pry/pop it off?

 

I believe so.

 

yup got it off....pics coming in a sec.

 

Not sure if this is gonna work.

A few things I found when removing diff cover.

There was very little gear oil in the diff.
The rubber plug may have been leaking I notice it is ripped.
The smell I smelled when taking the diff cover off. I noticed I smelled it right before grinding started.








I have not cleaned the diff out and inspected for chunks or shavings.

 

Did you turn some of the parts by hand? Notice any crunchy or anything weird? I don't have any experience YET with the rear diff's on these trucks but I can't see anything obviously wrong.

Clean it out, new gasket for the cover, and fill it up with the right amount/type/weight of fluid and see if it still makes noise.

HeyYou, could the u joints be bad?

 

Put it up on jack stands and turn the wheels and see what's going on in there. If it doesn't bind, I'd put gear oil in it and limited slip additive (if the axle is limited slip) and try driving it. Worst case scenario, pick up a rear end at a junk yard or scrap yard for pretty cheap and hope for the best. If you have to go the junk yard route, look for one that is free of oil on the outside, etc. I work at a scrap yard, have seen a ton of them come through.

 

Yea the only thing I am able to do is turn the wheel (one spins the opposite direction not sure is that means limited slip). I do not hear anything that would lend itself to the awful grind sound I heard or the howl/whine that happened before the grind.

I did notice the rubber plug is ripped can I get that from a auto supply store?

I also cleaned out the rear casing. Very little sediment and no chunks of metal or pieces.

Running it with low gear oil can cause that grinding sound/whine?

Also is there a write up here on how much, type and brands of gear oil and additive I should run?

How do I determine if I have limited slip?

Thanks for the assistance guys and all the help thus far.