Howdy all,

A bit of story time to provide the background: when I first got this truck I drained the diff fluid and had to open up the cover to replace an axle shaft (the lug nut had snapped off the wheel end) and noticed a 0.5"x0.5" chunk of metal at the bottom, undoubtedly part of a gear. The oil was pure black and very grimy, but after inspecting the gears I couldn't find the missing chunk, nor could I afford the parts to replace the diff at the time so I sealed it up and hoped for the best.

Fast forward to now, I've put about 1000 miles on the truck since then and I haven't noticed any issues of any kind. However, I am now very likely going to be moving states in August and I'd like to use my truck to tow a trailer instead of paying up the *** for a U-Haul. The one looming question mark is this differential and if, or I suppose when, it's going to blow up. Unfortunately I am out of the country and won't be back stateside until July so I'll have limited time to get the repairs done, and to top it off the only junkyard in town has closed so I'd likely have to order new parts online.

I figure these parts are rather robust since Dodge used them for over two decades and I've seldom seen complaints about them, so is this diff rather bulletproof or would a replacement be recommended?

Thanks!!

 

Limited slip eh? Real possibility the chunk you found was one of the clips that hold the clutches in place. Those are notorious for breaking. Wouldn't hurt to pull the cover, when you get back, and inspect again. See if there is any carnage in there.....

 

Sounds like the limited slip clutches have worn out. Last I checked, a replacement clutch pack is readily available.