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JEFF
Dodge Dakota
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3/31/2003
18:18:20

Subject: Rear Diff Noise??
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Help me please! This problem is such a pain to isolate. I have a '99 Dakota 4x4 w/ the 5.2L 318 V8 and a 3.55 rear. When the truck is warm in a parking lot or other low speed situation, I am getting a grinding noise coming from the rear underneath whenever I turn (never while going straight). I can't isolate where exactly it is coming from but it is driving me crazy. The diff oil has been changed and is not low. Could it be the U-joints? The transfer case? I haven't checked the fluid yet(does the transfer case operate in 2wd?) What else could cause this noise? I am hoping no one comes back and says the rear is taking a dump. I have heard this noise for well over a year, wouldn't the diff have broken by now? Thanks for any help.



sam
Dodge Dakota
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4/01/2003
21:39:14

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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I think I'm having the same problem. It isn't too loud, but definitely noticeable.



JEFF
Dodge Dakota
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4/02/2003
18:31:53

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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I can definately tell it is coming from the rear. I drove it slowly while hanging my head out and could see the rear shudder as the noise occured. It must be the differential. At first I thought maybe the brakes were sticking but after my wife drove it I was able to hear it on the passenger side as well. Wonder how much this is going to cost?



Dave H
Dodge Dakota
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4/04/2003
12:46:26

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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Have the same truck. Had the same problem. Replace the diff fluid and make sure to add manufactueres recommended diff lubricating fluid in addition to the regular diff fluid. I do not know what it is called. This fluid acts to prevent rubbing and grinding in the rear diff. The service tech actually referred to it as whale sperm. Sorry, but its a quote. I havent heard the grinding since.



dopeslap
Dodge Dakota
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4/05/2003
19:58:40

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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Dave H, close guy. Actually it was sperm whale oil.



Fred
Dodge Dakota
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4/10/2003
15:21:52

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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I also had the same noise in my 2000 Durango. It sounded like a muffled conversation outside when I turned. Replaced the diff. oil and used the special additive and the noise went away. This was odd since I follow Schedule A and the book recomends not servicing the axle.



KP
Dodge Dakota
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12/26/2003
13:01:07

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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I had the same noice and had to replace the bearings in the rear. They had been grinding metal to metal even with rear full of fluid. I was told that the bearings crapped out because i had been carrying excessive weight in the bed of my truck which was definitly true. It made a whine/grinding noice whenever i was driving.



paul
Dodge Dakota
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12/26/2003
22:03:24

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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I have a '99 w/5.2l and the bolts holding the differential snapped. I was just backing into a parking spot. Truck had 50K when it failed. No noise prior to failure.



Bob L.
Dodge Dakota
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1/08/2004
19:35:56

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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Paul, my rear differential self-destructed at 53,000. Broke the pinion shaft and the whole drive shaft fell out of the truck. No explanation from the dealer, just a $1400 bill (although I get the impression they've seen it before). I am told that the Dana rear diff. is total junk by others on this website. Many failures. I have reported this to NHTSA as a failure like this @ speed could be deadly.



AmsoilSponsor
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1/18/2004
20:15:03

Amsoil Slip-Lock Differential Additive
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FYI ---

When making a turn, the outer wheels of a vehicle must travel faster than the inner wheels. It is up to the differential to act as a balance arm, establishing constant equilibrium of torques and forces between the left-hand and right-hand driven wheels. In standard (or open) differentials, power is directed to the wheel offering the least resistance. This works well when making a turn, but in a situation where one wheel is lifted off the ground, it causes the suspended wheel to turn while the other remains motionless.

Limited-slip (or positraction) and locking differentials are traction-increasing devices. Locking differentials transfer all available torque to both wheels. The teeth of the spider assembly engage with those on the locker clutch, causing both axle shafts to operate as one. Locking differentials don't allow one drive wheel to spin while the other remains stationary. Instead, they keep both wheels in drive mode, but unlock to permit different wheel speeds when turning. The engaging and disengaging of the teeth on automatic locking differentials often causes a banging and clunking sound. Manual locking differentials usually use an electric motor or vacuum diaphragm to engage the locker, reducing this noise.

Limited-slip differentials allow different wheel speeds when turning, but when one wheel loses traction, greater torque is transferred to the wheel offering more resistance. Limited-slip differentials make use of friction between clutch plates, as opposed to the meshing teeth employed by locking differentials. Transferring less torque per side, limited-slip differentials are generally smoother and quieter than locking differentials, but still sometimes "chatter" when transferring torque to the wheel with traction.

In some differential applications, a friction modifier additive is necessary to reduce chatter.

AMSOIL Slip-Lock Differential Additive is formulated with advanced friction modifiers and is designed to eliminate gear-housing chatter in cars, trucks and SUVs equipped with limited-slip, positraction and locking differentials. It also reduces the banging and clunking associated with automatic locking differentials.

AMSOIL Slip-Lock Differential Additive is formulated for use with both synthetic and petroleum gear lubricants and safely replaces manufacturer recommended friction modifiers. Its convenient flip-top dispenser provides quick and easy application to the gear housing. One four-ounce bottle of Slip-Lock treats differential capacities of two to four quarts. It is not for use in automatic transmissions or other applications requiring ATF.

NOTE: AMSOIL Synthetic Gear Lubes DO NOT require the use of this additive. However, not all differentials respond the same and if chatter is noticed, the addition of AMSOIL Slip-Lock will eliminate it. For chattering differentials not running AMSOIL Gear Lube, this product is an excellent solution to the problem.
__________________________________________________

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AMSOIL Synthetic Motor Oils, Lubricants, Filtration, and Truck Care Products



Scott E.
Dodge Dakota
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1/19/2004
16:45:39

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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Had a similar experience. Had rear pinion bearings replaced...problem solved. I had not carried excessive weight or towed anything. Diff had good fluid. I am soooo thankful I bought the extended warrenty. I am up to $2,500 on a $1,500 warranty. Tie rod ends, lower ball joints, pinion bearings, radio, fuel pump, brake calliper etc. 98 ext-cab 4x4 5.2lV8 68k.



tammie
Dodge Dakota
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3/17/2004
02:45:06

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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help! I purchased a 2003 Dodge quad Cab Dakota and about a week after I bought it a noise appeared. Sounds like the emergency brake is stuck on. Making a squealing noise when backing straight backwards. They replaced Differential fluid but noise is still there. Now its making the same noise going forward, not just as often. Does anyone know what this could be? The dealer removed all the wheels and they say its not the brakes. I still am under warranty and I am going to be persistant on this but I would like some opinions as well. Thanks



frob
Dodge Dakota
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3/30/2004
18:51:39

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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I had this same moaning (ghost like) noise in my 2000 QC 4x4 with the 3:55 rear. A mechanic checked it out at 40K miles and found metal filings in the oil and suggested I call Chrysler. My warruntee was up at 36K. I called customer support and talked with a nice lady there. I told her about the noise and how it had been there for a while. I mentioned that if she would check she could see from the dealer service record I had asked about it before when the truck was in for a new A/C under warruntee. I told her that I had been changing my own fluid and using high grade synth with the additive included.

After she called the dealership to inquire about my service record she came back to me and thanked me for being honest about what I had done on my own to the truck. She then said that Chrysler would cover it out of warruntee for me since it had only been 4K miles and told me I only needed to pay a $100 "deductable".

I took it in for repair the next week. The mechanic said both the clips had come off the differential clutches and the the ring gear was damaged. All of it was repaired and now the truck is fine again. I hope it doesn't need another diff at 80K though.

The Chrysler rep was very nice and very willing to make me happy. I guess at least its worth noting that if you have this going on calling them might go a lot better than you think. The customer service number is in your owner's manual.

Hope they help anyone out that needs it.

J



willy
Dodge Dakota
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4/04/2004
15:04:21

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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Don't be fooled by the dealers or the Chrysler Corp. complaint department guys. I have a 2001 QC with the 4.7 liter, auto. trns., heavy duty tow pkg. and limited slip diff. Fortunately, having worked on cars most of my life I had it checked when I took it in for routine service due to a faint growling noise I was hearing and that's when they found the problem with mine. The clips came off and self destructed the rearend at about 26k. It grenaded again at 48k miles from the EXACT same thing according to my dealer's service manager. Dodge basically told me to get bent because I was out of warranty. I got lucky because Frank the service mgr at Kyger Dodge in Oxford Ohio went to bat for me and got it covered with "only" 400 bucks out of pocket-beats the hell out of $1400. Now at 74k miles the rearend broke again yesterday without absolutely any warning whatsoever, locking up solid. Fortunately for me, I was driving down my driveway at about 10mph when it failed or the results could have been catastrophic. What is most frustrating is that the most weight I've ever towed with this truck is about 1100 lbs-my popup camper fully loaded, and Dodge in general acts like this a problem they've never heard of before and it's my fault that it's happening. I've never off-roaded the truck or abused it in any way, nor have I even remotely approached the towing capacity of this thing. When I bought it, it was my third brand new Chrysler product in four years, now it is very likely to be my last due to Chrysler's obvious attitude toward their customers. I hope you guys have better luck with yours than I have had with mine. It will be interesting to see if I get anything covered with this third failure of the same parts...



Brutus
Dodge Dakota
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4/05/2004
09:54:29

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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I was replacing the rear diff. fluid the other day on my 2002 4x4, 4.7L, because it was starting to make a little noise when turning right or left. When I opened up the pumpkin cover I noticed a metal semi-circular "shim" about 1 1/2" inches long laying in the bottom of the diff. Can anyone tell me what this part may be. Is this the clip that is refered to in prior messages. I added the amsoil product after and all noises went away.



jim
Dodge Dakota
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4/12/2004
12:48:54

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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have 99 slt club....have had grinding like noise coming from rear end. took cover off, nothing looks bad. no chips, no sign of wear. went to dodge dealer this morning and service mgr told me that dodge definately was having problems with the rear ends in dakotas because the factory had set them up wrong. however mine is out of warranty now and i am temporarily up the creek.



FRED
Dodge Dakota
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4/14/2004
17:05:48

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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I have 99 318 dakota w/ 355 posi rear.I had the dealer replace the rear at 18800 miles along with the driveshaft ( ballance )all under warrenty!! Now at 4300 miles Its starting to rumble again!!! I am 65 yr old and never had a problem .This is a bad product nomatter who says what ..



bawango
Dodge Dakota
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5/18/2004
18:39:43

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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I had a 1998 Dakota club cab v8 5spd 318.

Rear blew at 45,000 and at 70,000 both times posi unit failed causing bearing failure.

I just bought a 2003 Ram 2500 with American Axle 10.5" rear which has aftermarket posi. The Dakota has a crappy 9.25" chrysler made rearend that obviously is a poor design being they fail easily.
THe RAM 1500 uses the crappy 9.25 clutch pack design.



solutions
Dodge Dakota
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5/18/2004
22:07:14

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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I am just starting to worry about my diff. I have 145k on a 99 dak4x4 V6. I have noticed the noice slowly getting louder. I haven't noticed it when turning. My noice seems to only occur when I am crusing and let off the gas releaving the torque of the drive shaft.

After reading these posts I am a little worried about the large bill. Since I will most likely have to spend the money I might as well sped it on a part that Dodge didn't make.

Does anyone have an after market recommendation?

Thanks!!!




Bawango
Dodge Dakota
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5/24/2004
14:59:52

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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I believe your pinion bearing is going bad. It happened 2x with my 1998. $1,500 to $2,000 for rear rebuild. Replace Dodge posi with Auburn NON clutch type posi.

good luck!



Whatisit?
Dodge Dakota
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6/23/2004
12:51:41

RE: Rear Diff Noise??
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Have a 2000 4x4 4.7 53000 miles have started to notice a little vibration almost like u-joints going when taking off from stop. Any ideas?



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