Rear Dif Problem
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2005
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Rear Dif Problem
I have no clue about how any of this works so I am asking on this forum. 6k Miles ago according to service manual I need to get the fluid changed in the front and read Dif.. Since then going onto highway speeds I have been hearing a strange hum.. First I figured tire noise. Nope...Complained to dealer and told them about hum and that when the trany shifts into 3rd it seems odd..Again I dont know lingo.. this morning i notice under my truck a hugh hole where the cap for my differantial is supposed to be..Its at the dealer now and I was hoping for anyone on here to give me some direction as I am sure all there going to do is refill it.. Anyone have anything to say on this to a NON AUTO TECH person.
Professional
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 220
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From:
RE: Rear Dif Problem
I have an '03 that had some rear diff problems. The owner before me didn't change the fluid for the first 30k miles. I took it in after I had it for 12k miles and they had to replace the whole rear end. The diff was trashed. Always make sure you stay up to date on the fluids. Funny thing about mine, it never really made any funny noises or anything. I had no idea it was messed up. Warranty took care of it all though. Good luck.
Captain
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 560
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From:
RE: Rear Dif Problem
Read you manual. Yes it's important of they would not put in it there. You will need to service front and rear difs, t-case, tranny and engine oil. You OEM will tell you the best times to do it UNLESS you are hard on your truck then you will need to do it sooner. Hard means, heavy towing, racing, extreme stop and go traffic every day or otherwise use of the vehicle other than just driving it up and down the road.
I like to service everything within the first 15k miles regardless of the OEM. My schedule (on a new vehicle) is change oil at 500 miles, change diffs between 500-1500 miles, change t-case (if you use it) and tranny at 15k miles. This is the break in and there will be metal shavings in the oil. On a used one, I try to do it ASAP once I get the vehicle.
Although some will say different, try to find someone who will do a pan drop oil change on the tranny instead of just the flush the first time. This way you can get the filters and clean the metal shavings off the magnet.
After that, everything is broke in and you don't need to go as extreme with your changes.
This is just what I do. Not everyone does it and their trucks run fine for a long time. I prefer to be safe than sorry. $300 in maintainence is cheaper than a $3000 repair in my book.
I like to service everything within the first 15k miles regardless of the OEM. My schedule (on a new vehicle) is change oil at 500 miles, change diffs between 500-1500 miles, change t-case (if you use it) and tranny at 15k miles. This is the break in and there will be metal shavings in the oil. On a used one, I try to do it ASAP once I get the vehicle.
Although some will say different, try to find someone who will do a pan drop oil change on the tranny instead of just the flush the first time. This way you can get the filters and clean the metal shavings off the magnet.
After that, everything is broke in and you don't need to go as extreme with your changes.
This is just what I do. Not everyone does it and their trucks run fine for a long time. I prefer to be safe than sorry. $300 in maintainence is cheaper than a $3000 repair in my book.
All Star
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 878
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
RE: Rear Dif Problem
The frequency of the oil changes on the ram is why I installed pans with drain plugs. It makes the job near painless. When I get around to changing my front differential fluid (I'm 10k over, oops), I'm going to weld a drain plug fitting on it too.
