Problem and question about differential fluid change

[Neil E]

I have a 2017 3.6, 3.55 rear end with 83k miles and this is very long winded.
I had the rear end fluid changed Friday. Drove 200 miles 180 miles from home. When I got close to the destination, I noticed a noise when I turned right into my destination.
I left 2 hours ago and heard the same noise when turning right at next intersection. I stopped 60 miles down to use the bathroom, but on the way, my wife felt a vibration under the passenger floorboard. When we came back out, I looked underneath the front suspension and also the rear end, again. (Whenever I get oil and such changed. I always check the fluids and look underneath for leaks). No issues with any leaks. I asked my wife to drive across the street while I stood outside so I could hear where the noise was coming from, and there was a loud, long groan from the rear end.
Also. I should mention, the last 4 take off from stop, it felt like the rear was free spinning.
I ended up driving a half mile up the road to the Ram dealer and left my truck (it was Saturday night).
After speaking to the dealer that has my truck and the dealer locally that did the service, the original dealer said they would fix the truck if it was the rear end.

So, the dealer where the truck is has stated they do not hear the groan, but the steering noise. They said it's because the original dealer did not put the appropriate additive for the limited slip diff. The original servicing dealer said that the other dealer was out of their mind, that my truck didn't need the additive.
So, to make a long story short. They agreed to do the additive, and this should fix the truck. I'm going to pickup in the morning. The original dealer told me if I had anymore issues, don't hesitate to call and they would take of it.

So,
1. What is the mystery additive that they disagreed on?
2. Will this probably fix my issue?
3. The original dealer told me that they thought that the tech didn't put the oil back in. What's the thoughts of everyone here?

Wish me luck.

 

[69GWC]

If your truck has a limited slip diff then the additive should fix the problem.
Without the additive the clutch plates stick together and cause a poping type noise, mainly going around corners.

 

[Neil E]

If your truck has a limited slip diff then the additive should fix the problem.
Without the additive the clutch plates stick together and cause a poping type noise, mainly going around corners.

Thanks, what about the loud groan at take off and the rear End feeling like it's slipping. That obviously only happens after it's warmed up, as the dealer couldn't replicate it.

 

[LoadedExpressRam]

Do you know what fluid they used? I know some dont require the additive for example ive used both RP and Redline without additive and everythings worked so far. Knock on wood of course. I hope the additive works for you.

 

[Burla]

You took the booty off and saw the fluid level? It doesn't make a lot of sense because literally everyone on the planet uses gear fluid with the additive already in it. The general use gear fluids all have additive in there, it is a special order to get the gear fluid without the additive. They do this because even open diffs don't have any issues when the pre mix is used, they call most diff fluid "Multi-purpose" which means with additive.

I wonder if they put the right weight in there?

I might try and take a sample of it and keep it, maybe they used the wrong fluid in there, maybe even engine oil. So even if they added engine oil adding more additive might just work anyhow. And sometimes limited diffs need more additive then what is in there, that is why the rule is after a fluid change you add one ounce at a time until the shudder disappears. Too much is an issue as well.

The main take away, never let a dealer or anyone touch your vehicle on simple maintenance items. gl Burla

 

[ecbartosh]

I've watched and read a lot the past few days because I'm changing my own in my 2011. Everything I saw just straight up differential fluid. Pretty much 3 quarts. A simple 10 minute or so job. I say no additives added. I hope you gets your fixed.

Sent from my LGL722DL using Tapatalk

 

[MoPowered]

I have yet to see any full size truck regardless of engine option not have an LSD, (Limited slip differential) which is also referred to as an Anti-spin and in some circle’s a Posi- or Positive Trac meaning that if one tire breaks traction the other tire by way of the differential “locks” the opposing wheel so that both tires then get traction. An open differential is when a tire breaks traction and the other tire doesn’t lock to provide traction. Not to be confusing the. You have Locker’s which when engaged will lock bother’s in unison for traction at all times. Like our Power Wagon’s come with Jeep Rubicon’s etc... So far as the groan, clunky slipping are indicative of several thing’s to include wrong fluid, worn pinion bearing, carrier bearing, yolk pinion, overload etc. what you mentioned if you didn’t have the issue’s prior all lead me to believe it’s an overlapd/heat issue that may have caused some damage and or highlighted worn differential component’s. Almost every TJ with a rear Dana 35 axle regardless of gear ratio had issues with carrier bearing’s and I personally had to rebuild 3 of my own TJ’s and many friend’s that owned them had to also. Just FYI.

 

[69GWC]

Crap when I bought my truck most of the trucks on the lot had open diffs. Lol

 

[MoPowered]

I have yet to see any full size truck regardless of engine option not have an LSD, (Limited slip differential) which is also referred to as an Anti-spin and in some circle’s a Posi- or Positive Trac meaning that if one tire breaks traction the other tire by way of the differential “locks” the opposing wheel so that both tires then get traction. An open differential is when a tire breaks traction and the other tire doesn’t lock to provide traction. Not to be confusing, and then you have Locker’s which when engaged will lock both wheels in unison for traction at all times. Power Wagon’s, Jeep Rubicon’s etc... So far as the groan, clunk, slipping and clicking around corner’s are indicative of several thing’s to include wrong/low fluid which can cause heat due friction issues and overload. Some of the sound’s you describe can be due to worn pinion bearing, carrier bearing, yolk, carrier housing, worn gears etc. To be hearing all of this after the fluid change leads to be believe that the Dealership screwed the change and or caused or highlighted unknown issues by the change. FYI the many Jeep’s that had/have the rear Dana 35 experienced carrier bearing failure’s I personally had to rebuild all 3 of my TJ’s and my WJ Grand Cherokee.

 

[cityredneck]

I have a 2017 3.6, 3.55 rear end with 83k miles and this is very long winded.
I had the rear end fluid changed Friday. Drove 200 miles 180 miles from home. When I got close to the destination, I noticed a noise when I turned right into my destination.
I left 2 hours ago and heard the same noise when turning right at next intersection. I stopped 60 miles down to use the bathroom, but on the way, my wife felt a vibration under the passenger floorboard. When we came back out, I looked underneath the front suspension and also the rear end, again. (Whenever I get oil and such changed. I always check the fluids and look underneath for leaks). No issues with any leaks. I asked my wife to drive across the street while I stood outside so I could hear where the noise was coming from, and there was a loud, long groan from the rear end.
Also. I should mention, the last 4 take off from stop, it felt like the rear was free spinning.
I ended up driving a half mile up the road to the Ram dealer and left my truck (it was Saturday night).
After speaking to the dealer that has my truck and the dealer locally that did the service, the original dealer said they would fix the truck if it was the rear end.

So, the dealer where the truck is has stated they do not hear the groan, but the steering noise. They said it's because the original dealer did not put the appropriate additive for the limited slip diff. The original servicing dealer said that the other dealer was out of their mind, that my truck didn't need the additive.
So, to make a long story short. They agreed to do the additive, and this should fix the truck. I'm going to pickup in the morning. The original dealer told me if I had anymore issues, don't hesitate to call and they would take of it.

So,
1. What is the mystery additive that they disagreed on?
2. Will this probably fix my issue?
3. The original dealer told me that they thought that the tech didn't put the oil back in. What's the thoughts of everyone here?

Wish me luck.

i just had that happen to me a couple weeks ago. i had the dealer do rear diff fluid swap, i picked it up and could hear and feel the rear end noises. took it bad, took the service advisor and a tech for a tight figure 8 in their parking lot and they could hear it also. they redid the diff fluid swap again. could still hear it, took it bad a third time and they found that the rear diff was done. they didn't add the limited slip additive the first time and it killed the clutches in the diff. they did a warranty repair and replaced the rear diff, no troubles since then.

 

[RedSRT4Me]

I have yet to see any full size truck regardless of engine option not have an LSD, (Limited slip differential) which is also referred to as an Anti-spin and in some circle’s a Posi- or Positive Trac meaning that if one tire breaks traction the other tire by way of the differential “locks” the opposing wheel so that both tires then get traction. An open differential is when a tire breaks traction and the other tire doesn’t lock to provide traction. Not to be confusing, and then you have Locker’s which when engaged will lock both wheels in unison for traction at all times. Power Wagon’s, Jeep Rubicon’s etc... So far as the groan, clunk, slipping and clicking around corner’s are indicative of several thing’s to include wrong/low fluid which can cause heat due friction issues and overload. Some of the sound’s you describe can be due to worn pinion bearing, carrier bearing, yolk, carrier housing, worn gears etc. To be hearing all of this after the fluid change leads to be believe that the Dealership screwed the change and or caused or highlighted unknown issues by the change. FYI the many Jeep’s that had/have the rear Dana 35 experienced carrier bearing failure’s I personally had to rebuild all 3 of my TJ’s and my WJ Grand Cherokee.

Open diff trucks exist for those who didn't know about the option or who don't want to pay the $500 cost.

https://**************/community/threads/anti-spin-differential.8073/

Not sure why the link breaks. Competition? Put
5thgenram.com where the stars are to see the results.

 

[MoPowered]

Open diff trucks exist for those who didn't know about the option or who don't want to pay the $500 cost.

https://**************/community/threads/anti-spin-differential.8073/

Not sure why the link breaks. Competition? Put
5thgenram.com where the stars are to see the results.

Yeah, I can’t get either link, I was hoping to clear any confusion that Limited slip, Anti-spin or Posi or all classified as the same if one tire breaks traction they other tire will grab and provide traction, whereas an Open Differential won’t and the tire that’s breaks traction kinda just sits there spinning and the other tire does nothing.
Posi’s are just a name applied by Chevrolet back in the 60’s I believe to the fact the it’s an LSD. Jeep Wrangler’s actually run an open diff since 2007 unless you order an LSD or get a name branded Wrangler like a Sahara, *****’s, Rubicon etc... I guess the figure if you have a need for a and LSD put in 4hi.

 

[MRFREEZE57]

my truck has the LSD, changed the lube with Redline 75-140, says it has the LSD additive, have done some tight u turns and no unusual noises or popping sounds.

 

[Neil E]

I went and picked it up yesterday. The dealer that fixed it said there was no damage to the rear end (no metal shavings, etc.). They added the additive, and it seems good. I've driven it 200 miles so far, with no noises, funny issues. I've let it downshift going down a steep hill to hold speed, and did the same going back up. No issues, so I hope they are right. The original dealer paid for it, and told me to just keep them posted if I have any issues.

 

[BadHemi2014]

I have yet to see any full size truck regardless of engine option not have an LSD, (Limited slip differential) which is also referred to as an Anti-spin and in some circle’s a Posi- or Positive Trac meaning that if one tire breaks traction the other tire by way of the differential “locks” the opposing wheel so that both tires then get traction. An open differential is when a tire breaks traction and the other tire doesn’t lock to provide traction. Not to be confusing, and then you have Locker’s which when engaged will lock both wheels in unison for traction at all times. Power Wagon’s, Jeep Rubicon’s etc... So far as the groan, clunk, slipping and clicking around corner’s are indicative of several thing’s to include wrong/low fluid which can cause heat due friction issues and overload. Some of the sound’s you describe can be due to worn pinion bearing, carrier bearing, yolk, carrier housing, worn gears etc. To be hearing all of this after the fluid change leads to be believe that the Dealership screwed the change and or caused or highlighted unknown issues by the change. FYI the many Jeep’s that had/have the rear Dana 35 experienced carrier bearing failure’s I personally had to rebuild all 3 of my TJ’s and my WJ Grand Cherokee.

Mine doesn't.
My 2014 Ram 1500 5.7 4x4 3.55 has an open diff. Wish it didn't of course, but it's not that uncommon.
My Dakota had an open diff too.

 

[RedSRT4Me]

Yeah, I can’t get either link, I was hoping to clear any confusion that Limited slip, Anti-spin or Posi or all classified as the same if one tire breaks traction they other tire will grab and provide traction, whereas an Open Differential won’t and the tire that’s breaks traction kinda just sits there spinning and the other tire does nothing.
Posi’s are just a name applied by Chevrolet back in the 60’s I believe to the fact the it’s an LSD. Jeep Wrangler’s actually run an open diff since 2007 unless you order an LSD or get a name branded Wrangler like a Sahara, *****’s, Rubicon etc... I guess the figure if you have a need for a and LSD put in 4hi.

I am in no way questioning your knowledge around differentials.

You had stated never seeing a truck equipped with an open diff. And there are plenty out there that exist. The end

 

[MoPowered]

I am in no way questioning your knowledge around differentials.

You had stated never seeing a truck equipped with an open diff. And there are plenty out there that exist. The end

No worries, directed to everyone that have open diff’s It’s all good. And you educated me today