I have a 05 1500 4x4 quad cab with a 5.7L and 3.55 “no-spin” rear-end. I bought the truck back in January with approx 123k miles on it and have driven it about 3000 miles since then (it’s not a daily driver). Shortly after getting it, I had three recalls performed that hadn’t been; one of them was the pinion nut (other two were airbags). Here recently it started making a whining noise. Above 25-30mph it makes the noise as long as I press the accelerator (both at constant speed and accelerating) but stops if I let off of the pedal. Below the 25-30mph mark, it only makes the noise when coasting or decelerating. I can shift it into neutral and it will stop making the noise. 4x4 doesn’t seem to make a difference (at least at low speeds; I haven’t tried 4x4 at higher speeds). To me this seems like the common pinion bearing problem that these trucks have. Is it possible that the dealer messed up the torque on the pinion nut and caused this? Any way to prove that so they would have to repair it? How safe is it to keep driving, or for how long? I’m out of work right now so funds are kinda tight. I will add that I towed a small tractor and bushhog a week or so before it started with the noise and was driving highway speeds (80mph+) when I first noticed it. The truck seemed weak pulling a hill when towing but that’s another issue for another time.

 

Actually, it's a pretty standard failure, even after the recall has been done. Running loose for a while, kinda does bad things to the outer pinion bearing. You *might* be able to just replace the outer bearing, and seal, and be good to go. Depends on what the race looks like.