I have a 2005 dodge ram 1500 and I was driving on the highway and the driveshaft fell off and the rear end locked up on me I couldn't move the truck! I don't know what's wrong but the dealer told me that I need the entire rear end overhauled and a new driveshaft! They gave me a price of $4000 for parts and labor!!!!! Any idea what went wrong and how I can fix it?

 

First thing that comes to my mind is check your retainer clips to see if they are broken off/shaved.

 

Yup. Sounds like your retaining clips for the clutch packs have let loose and caused catastrophic failure in your rearend. The retaining clips falling out is a very common problem that Chrysler has turned cheeck on. You will likely need a whole new rear-end as the dealer has stated, but I would look into a junkyard for a used one and make sure it's NOT an lsd (limited slip). The open carriers do not have this problem. That, or get a used LSD rearend and replace the carrier with an aftermarket unit.

 

There are some decisions you need to make. Are you able to replace the rearend yourself or do you need a shop to do the work? What is the extent of the damage? Can your rearend be rebuilt? Is the housing re-usable? If no, then I would get a complete rearend out of a salvage yard and either have a shop install it or replace it yourself. If you have a dealer do all the work it may run $4k. But I would think using a salvage rearend and a small shop you might get away with something like $1500-$1800. You will have a better idea of what prices are in your area as you shop around. Good luck.

 

Yep, sounds like you have (had) the stock LSD and left it in there unchecked for too long!

The $4000 quote will turn into closer to a $2000 quote if you choose a good, experienced axle shop to do the work instead of the dealer and ABOVE ALL - Do not put a Mopar LSD back in there!!!

 

Thanks for the help but I still am unsure about a few things? Why does everyone want to stay away from the LSD? And since I'm going through the trouble of finding a shop to try and rebuild it should I have them change out the gearing while they're at it? If so what do you recommend?

 

If you do a lot of towing and stuff go to 4.56 with an Auburn LSD or DTT. I'm sticking with 3.92 because I do a lot of highway travel and not much towing.

 

ive seen a few around here with driveshafts laying on the ground....Rams that is...

wonder if its a problem with them

 

yep i heard our rear end in our 05 ram whining so took it to a shop they took it down the street and the same thing happened! new lsd cost 1000 and 700 labor but our factory lsd lasted 198,000 miles and i sure liked it in the mud

 

$1700 for an LSD and labor? What the hell did you buy? Detroit TruTrac cost is about $500 and Auburn LSD is about $400 and labor to install just a limited slip should run about $200! Took it to the dealership (or should I say: Stearlership)?



Do a search either on here or even Google for "C-Clip" and you can read in horror from now till you are old and gray!
Well documented issue with the stock LSDs retaining clips (actually incorrectly referred to as the "c-clips") breaking off and basically imploding the rear differential.
Everyone who retains the stock LSD will experience this at some point, it's inevitable.

Personally, I'd go to at least 4.10 gears if you're gonna have to buy a set anyway. There is no cost difference for taller gears. The two choices as far as a new LSD would be the Detroit TruTrac and the Auburn Gear LSD.

The going rate for gears, install kit and labor is around $600 per axle. Plus you'd have to look at repairs for any additional components that were destroyed on you...