2002 and up Ram 1500 Shudder, jerk, etc

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John - 11 Oct 2006 03:19 GMT

I've read a few posts in this group about small shudders, jolts etc
when starting. I recently purchased a 2003 and had the same problem.
It's subtle - occurs in about 1 out of every 15 starts from a dead
stop - it's very subtle on mine.

I changed the differential fluid last weekend and when I pulled the
cover and let the oil drain I found lots of metal shavings (like sand)
and a large retainer-looking clip - about an inch long.

Did a little searching and found there is a common problem on Dodge
Ram 1500's with the 9.25 axel and the facvtory LSD.

Thought some of you might be interested in investigating if you have a
truck that fits these years.

Looks like there are lots of people with this problem and it usually
gives little to no warning before a failure. Most of the people find
it when changing fluids. There are 4 clips that are used to retain
the clutch packs of the LSD in some manner and they are prone to
coming loose and having freedom to roam around the pumpkin. with luck
it will sit at the bottom by the magnet, others come partially out and
then score grooves on the bear cap and possibly requiring replacement
of the axel housign itself. A catastrphic failure could occur if left
long enough or simply by unluckiness of the draw, immediately.

So, if you're close to required time to change fluids, go ahead and do
it early while you can still get warranty coverage.

http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111681&page=7&pp=20&highlight=r
ear+end+LSD+clip

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John - 13 Oct 2006 11:10 GMT

I got this replky in email from a user having difficulty posting.

Yes! More common if the diff isn't serviced regularly, which means
once a year if you tow. And you MUST use the limited slip additive,
which isn't worth the snot its made of anymore since sperm whale oil
can't be had legally (used to be the main ingredient).

Anyway, Mopar parts offers the clips separately, and the clutch disc
kits if necessary ($$$), but this repair requires some special tools
to spread the preloaded discs to remove them and to align things
during assembly if you ever want to get the axles back in. In years
past this diff was serviced only as an assembly, despite the service
manuals showing the procedure, and it takes quite a while. Still
cheaper to fix it rather than replace the diff, which is over $500.

I am of the opinion that the clips are overly hardened in
manufacturing, this issue appeared suddenly and like you said can go
without issues for quite a while as it grinds things apart. I have
changed many a housing and differential, some as low as 20K miles.
Once the limited slip additive loses it ability to slide smoothly,
chatter occurs and that is what appears to shatter the clips.
Many pieces mow over the ring and pinion and ruin the bearing caps,
some so badly they can't be disassembled (threaded adjuster bound up),
it gets real expensive in a hurry, and complete axle assemblies are
hard to get.

Anyway, for some reason, I can't post to newsgroups, so feel free to
pass this along, and thanks for your post.

Tom Showers
Certified/Specialist Chrysler Technician ASE CMAT, L1 Sawyer Motors
Saugerties, NY

>I've read a few posts in this group about small shudders, jolts etc
>when starting. I recently purchased a 2003 and had the same problem.
[quoted text clipped - 25 lines]
>
>http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=111681&page=7&pp=20&highlight=r
ear+end+LSD+clip

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