Just changed the diff fluid in my 33K mile Ram. Two of the clips are missing on the pass side and the two on the drivers side were gouging into the bearing cap but were still intact. Didn't see how to remove without removing the cap and just pushed them back into their bores and felt a click so guess they are re-seated?? Figure I will check them again in a few thousand miles. BTW, the fluid didn't look bad at all and there was no evidence of the other clips. Doubt if someone was in there before me with the mileage this thing has?

 

Noop....the clips on the drivers side are damaged.
They can only come out of their pockets, if the small wiggly "W" end has snapped off.
Those are the sharp edges that have started to cut into your carrier bearings, proving that they are busted.
They WILL re-work their way out and gauge the bearing caps beyond repair again if you let them.
That means an entire new axle costing $1000's of dollars if you get a new replacement.
Get those clips outta' there, ASAP URGENT SUPER FAST!!!!!!!!
The lsd will run for thousands of miles without them, mine did......but the whole carrier will not fair so well at all with them left in.
Get them out today or as soon as, to save yourself lots of money and heartache.
I cannot emphasise this enough!
As little as 500 miles can be more than enough, for the clips to cut into the bearing housing making them beyond repair.
I know you have just invested in new fluids and some time but, that's a very small price to pay to drop it all out and remove those awful clips.
Then, save up and put a DTT or Aurpburn unit in there and forget about that rear.
Hope this helps?
Al.

 

I would not just remove the clips in a still functioning diff, as you will cause other problems with clutch pack wear. See https://dodgeforum.com/forum/3rd-gen...rear-diff.html . The clips are there for a reason, or Dodge would have worked with Dana to come up with a cheap solution to remove these clips after the carrier is installed in the diff in IMHO.

I have not heard, or done so myself, that anyone has spent the money to have the clips replaced. I bought a set of replacement clips ($5 or $7, I can't quite remember) and intended to replace them myself at the last diff fluid change, but I found out I needed special tools to get the carrier apart. I would think as a preventive measure, we could pull the carrier out, take it into your favorite diff shop and have them replace the clips for not a lot of $$.

 

Why would Dodge work with Dana to devise a method of removing the clips when AAM makes the rear axle?

Also, I know it's more of an expense, but the stock LSD doesn't function very well even when intact. IMO if anybody needs a LSD and can afford it, they should look into a DTT or Auburn unit...

 

If I remember right AAM started making the rear end about 3 years ago. People were posting about having to grind the housing for clearance when installing 4.56 gears in these newer housings. Before that they were made by dana and the posi was called a Trac Loc. It used the same clutch pack kit as a Dana 44.

 

i changed my speed sensor and there was a little bit of metal on it prob the clips if i take them out. will my lsd still work ok for the time being untill i can save up for a better one

 

OK here's what I did and drove over 20 thousand miles, before fitting my DTT.

I removed all my clips (the two that were left that is) and even though there was wear in the retaining clip pockets where the clips sit..........I didn't give a hoot.
At least the clips were not cutting into my diff housing, causing thousands of $'s worth of damage.
I then replaced that whole LSD when I'd saved up enough money and found a reputable rebuilder (that's the key thing here) with a DTT, which got rid of forever the horrible stock LSD with it's now worn pockets.
That's what worked for me and whats more and I'm more than glad I did removed the clips.
Al.

 

But...but...we want the details. Especially those of us with this problem

 

Well I talked to Dodge Customer Care about my 2 cases. They have agreed that I am a loyal customer for so many years that they will reimburse me the cost that I paid to get it fixed minus a deductable. I have to send in all repair orders. There customer care service was very nice and they understood my case.