Want to buy an 09 but makes noise in rear

[chromegsx]

I'm looking at buying an 09 ram laramie 90K, the only thing that bothers me about it is that on the short test drive I took, anything about about 25 mph make a growl or low pitch whine coming for the rear of the truck. doesn't matter if accelarating or slowing down. or turning. Should I run? I asked if the rear fluid was ever changed and the owner said he just had it in for the pinion nut recall not long ago, which i think he thinks implies that the fluid was changed, but I read somewhere that they don't need to touch the fluid for the recall. It's a beautiful truck runs and drives great, just needs a bed liner for me to haul firewood.

 

[7777xm]

09's and 10's had a handful of diff's that did this. My old 2010 did this and they ended up replacing the rear end and axle.

The noise you hear could me a simple bearing, or something bigger.

If it were me, and the deal is a good one, I'd probably pay a shop to properly diagnose that rear and negotiate the final sale price based on what you learn.


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[SouthernBoy]

You need to buy my '09 !

My '09 never had any Diff recalls, only one for the center-link on the front suspension.

 

[smurfs_of_war]

A handful of people have said after the pinion nut recall, their diffs piled up due to improper torque. I'd watch that. Growling and whining from the rear diif is not normal if its that audible in the cab. That being said- if the deal is good enough, that wouldn't ***** me. Just beat the price down a bit based on that and take it in and use the saved cash to get the diff fixed

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[OutlawTrucker]

It could be still covered under the recall. If it is buy it and enjoy the free repair.


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[chromegsx]

It could be still covered under the recall. If it is buy it and enjoy the free repair.

Hmmm.... if the recall was performed already I can still get it covered? But being performed means it was checked and nothing was done. Can I have a recall rechecked at no cost, in case the first shop either was incompetent. Not saying they are, but the owner was sent home saying there was nothing wrong with the truck. The owner thought maybe tires, but it don't sound like tires to me. It's not unbearable loud, and I could drive it till it needs new tires and see if it makes a difference... but I'm not keen on the cost when buying thinking nothing is wrong and idea of my rear blowing up and leaving me sit or worse causing an accident with others involved.

The deal is good enough to keep me interested, truck is REALLY nice. I actually made and offer prior to meeting, but prefaced it with my personal inspection and test drive. At the time I thought tires based on his description, no big deal, and we went to the bank, but PA DMV electronic title system does not protect the buyer at all when the seller still has lien and does not have the title in hand. They expected me to pay off his loan and then he would get the title. Ummmm no that's not happening...So we went home empty handed (2 hr drive, one way) since it wasn't worth the risk. So I came home and researched a little and find that it may be more than tires and am now thinking I should readjust the offer. A rebuild kit is < $200, but a diff is 4-900. I like doing my own work and can follow directions but all this preload and lash adjustment talk has me thinking about finding someone that knows what they are doing which adds even more cost.

Have to figure out how to re-offer once we figure out how to negotiate the DMV cartel.

 

[NYCruiser]

Why not bring it to a mechanic and get it looked at before making an offer? At least then you'll have a worst case estimate to negotiate with.

 

[pickupman66]

So... my 09 had the recall done before I bought it at around 70,000 miles. At 83000 the rear started to make noise. Exactly as you describe. It went from bad to worse fast. Dealer near work said pinion and carrier bearing bad. $1800 repair. Research and found others had issues with too much preload being put on bearing when recall done. Causing premature failure withing a few thousand miles. Mine was about 8000 later. Anyways the dealer I purchased it from did original recall and decided to redo it. I got all new guts in the pumpkin. Gears and all cause they were scorched.

Don't buy it unless you know dealer will redo the recall.

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[RyanJM]

My 09 made some noise when I got it right before the recall. A week after having it the driveshaft fell out and dealership paid to fix it for me. Then a month after I traded for my 13 I got a recall letter. If the recall hast been don't that is the issue. Mine fell out at 100k. After the fix was like new again. I pod extra to swap it from 3.21's to 3.92's while it was being fixed anyway.

 

[tschwend824]

Same happened with my 09 had recall done at 95k and started making noise at 97k. Took to recall dealer and said that all bearings in rear axle needed replaced $1300 and it was completely unrelated to the recall worked. After some discussion I ended up leaving with a newer truck and a little lighter wallet.


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[chromegsx]

Finally put this story to an end. Seller got dealer to fix it right. Dealer tried to get seller to pay, but seller said no dice. I bought the truck after hearing the noise was gone. Took 4 weeks with all the title and bank issues and repairs but its a done deal. and am happy with the truck. thanks for all the advice.

 

[pickupman66]

Glad to hear it came to a good ending...