I changed my rear differential fluid on my 2003 Dodge Ram today. Sitting on top of the magnet inside the differential housing were these pieces. I don’t notice any problems driving my truck nor do I see any damge inside the houseing (I took a few pictures of the inside). Anybody know if I have a serious problem and need to take it in for service (truck is out of warranty) or can I move on with my life? Also, do I fill the rear differential through the rubber cap that is through the cover? If so, I filled it to within half an inch of the bottom of the hole. Is this correct? Thanks in advanced.

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A few metal shavings are to be expected. That is why the magnet is there. Unless you are having problemsI wouldn't worry too much about it.

 

Those arnt metal shavings those are peices.

 

it does okay with all those pieces in there?? some of those are kinda big

 

Oh WoW....I'd be worried...those look like disenegrated shim pieces?

 

ya, those arnt shavings. something is coming apart in there

 

Same thing happened to me. Dodge replaced the whole rear end from brake to brake under my 70/70 protection plan. Those are your track lock clips. You will need to take the pieces andshow them to the Dodge dealerand have them fix it. I had 40000 miles on my truck when it happened. Did the same as you, just wanted to change the fluid and pieces came out.

Hope it comes out well for you.

Dave

 

So... I'm not a mechanic,but those are hunks not shavings... that is bad. They are probably important, usually they don't put extra scrap metal into the pumpkin.

 

Dodge is that generous that they just give there extra scrap metal to you. Take that and get it checked out, PRONTO!

 

Thanks for all the replys. Ill call Dodge on Monday, although Im not looking foward to it. I have 54000 miles on my truck with no extended warranty. Is this covered by the longer drivetrain warranty I think my truck comes with? I just dumpned $650 at the dealer 2 weeks ago for a broken HVAC housing so Im not feeling to good about this. Heres what my differantial looks like after I cleaned all the change out of it.

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