Well that was fun! Due to pinion noise, I just spend 4 days off and on taking out and rebuilding the rearend in my van. All new bearings, races, ring and pinion gears. Put it all back in and took it for a test drive. Now with the rearend noise gone I heard a new noise. At first my heart sunk thinking I did something wrong rebuilding the rearend. But it turned out to be a rusted inner wheel bearing on the front passenger side. Must've gotten water in it somehow at some point. The rotors, wheel bearings, and seals were all new last summer.

 

So Alloro,

Since you have had time to put some miles on the rearend, how is it holding up?

I did mine about 3 years with a 9.25 and it is starting to whine and growl again. Partly since I use it for my job hauling tile and supplies 1,000-1,500 lbs at a time.

I have a 2001 Ram cargo 3,500 Van. Brakes are expensive also, but beside that it has been trouble free. I belive the transmission is the best I've ever owned, I've found none better.

Just curious of your expirence.

George

 

It's still as quiet as day one. If your's is whining and growling, it could mean the pinion nut wasn't properly torqued. I was once told that is the most critical step when rebuilding these rear ends.

 

It could be, I replaced it at 80k and now it has 141k. How many miles when you replaced yours?

I was wondering if this was normal for a Dodge. Working in Texas 20k-30k miles per year is part of doing business and to add the weight makes for some strain.

 

Tile hauler,

How much of a rebuild did you do? Just the bearings or a new ring and pinion as well?

Back when I had access to Sunday morning Cable programs, I saw an interesting episode. I think it was 2 guys garage.

Basically they Changed out Dino oil with synthetics and put a Mustang(I think) on the Dyno in between each change. First they did the Engine oil then a dyno, then the transmission fluid and a dyno,, then the Differential oil and the dyno. Each stage shoed an improvement, but by far the biggest increases in horsepower and torque occurred after the Differential oil swap.

I will admit to not having the confidence, knowledge or tools to rebuild an axle myself. I paid a driveline shop to do so. 500 miles after they did so, on their recommendation, I removed the cover, and changed the fluid. I used synthetic.

Come to think of it, the only oil/ fluid which is not synthetic in my Van is my power steering fluid.
Necessary no. Peace of mind, yes.

 

For the diff oil, is Redline 75W/90 a good choice albeit a bit pricey...

 

I ended up changing the ring and pinion with one that came out of newer low mileage totaled out Dakota with new bearings.

The ring and pinion looked like new with no marks. He said it was "quiet" before the accident, but thinking back rear end noise is less noticeable in an open bed truck than a enclosed van.

Alloro is correct by saying the torque on the pinion nut is sometimes compromised because it is a biotch to add or remove a shim without damaging that expensive pinion bearing. Pulling the bearings is what makes the job difficult and costly, the correct bearing puller will save hours of time and money and is a must have.

George

 

I had about 95K when I rebuilt mine, although most will go close to 300K before needing a rebuild. I had to do mine because someone changed the pinion shaft seal due to leakage, but didn't put the pinion nut back in the same spot, This caused premature wear on the bearings and gears, resulting in my having to rebuild it.