Took my 2009 1500 4x4 into the dealer to get work done. They said the whole front end drive needs replacing but it doesn't exist anymore. How is that possible? Wouldn't one from a newer model fit an 09? They can't be completely different surely.
I have the Maximum care lifetime warranty so all this work would be covered by the dealer.

 

Try another dealer. 2009 Rams came with lifetime power-train warranty to original owners. I can't imagine that they wouldn't be able to honor that today.

 

What is wrong with the axle? Why does it need replaced? I'd want to know what's going on. Agree that that dealer is screwing with you about the parts. If their claim is true, they owe you another truck if they can't fix it.

 

Your truck isn't even ten years old yet. Most manufacturers will stock parts for ten years....... (or, at the very least, have them available somewhere.) Is the dealer just telling you to trade it in?

Given the warranty on your truck, I do believe they are REQUIRED to fix it.

 

Just got word from the dealer that Chrysler discontinued the front dif in 2011... Only 2 years after this truck was sold. How is that even legal?
Does any body know if its the same front dif on a 12, 13, 14, etc...? I thought that these trucks didn't change that much between model years up until the new gen a couple years ago.

 

The number I come up with is 5170303AE. Seems it fits 09-11 Ram 1500's, regardless of engine. There are some cab size notes, but, I can't find a way to read them all. (truncated.) They still show as available from multiple sources, but, run from 1300-2100 bucks......

 

What FCA did was to change suppliers from American Axle to ZF. They also changed the rear differential and the transfer case. The American Axle parts are not discontinued per se, they are just not used on the ram trucks anymore.

 

They probably stopped making the whole UNIT. They should have each piece available though

HOWEVER, people better get used to discontinued parts for 10 plus year old cars though

 

Did they ever give you a detailed report on what was actually wrong? The final question is do you have a warranty....if so, make it ugly for them to fix your truck. If not, find a local garage to source the parts and fix it (after you know what is really wrong).
Mike Sal

 

TNtech, so you are saying that this is sort of "planned obsolescence"? Since vehicles tend to last longer, they'll just restrict availability of parts to force people to trade for new cars.
Mike Sal