1996 Ram Axle Reliability
#1
1996 Ram Axle Reliability
Own a 1996 2500 with the Cummings. The blogs report the ATX on this model typically fails at 100k. I just replaced the ATX at just 89K original miles. I was wondering realistically what is the typical life of the rear differential? This is a two wheel drive model. Preventive Maintenance on my girl is strictly adhered to. Information I have discovered reports typical differential life is about 150K. 80% of mileage is towing 5k lbs. Will eminent failure provide some type of warning that the failure is coming or will the failure just happen with no warning? Your thoughts?
#2
Registered User
I rarely see these axles fail, under normal driving conditions if the fluid is kept up to par.
That is coming from a guy who has owned many of these trucks with 200,000-400,000 miles on them.
Average diff. life of 150K sounds like total BS to me. I would guess it is more like 400,000.
Welcome to DTR
That is coming from a guy who has owned many of these trucks with 200,000-400,000 miles on them.
Average diff. life of 150K sounds like total BS to me. I would guess it is more like 400,000.
Welcome to DTR
#3
Registered User
On my 01 I sold it with 350k on it diffs still ok. Brother in law owns it now and still no problems with the diffs. I know not a 96 but I think same axles. I did run quality synthetic lube in them.
Since I have not had a dana axle grenade cant say for sure but on two previous vehicles that were high mileage the diff let me know before it grenaded. Though I suppose that would totally depend on what was happening ie just worn out or a snapped ring or pinion.
Since I have not had a dana axle grenade cant say for sure but on two previous vehicles that were high mileage the diff let me know before it grenaded. Though I suppose that would totally depend on what was happening ie just worn out or a snapped ring or pinion.
#4
Appreciated the feedback. Sounds like my truck will carry me into the grave. I don't put but a couple thousands miles on it per year. Plan on traveling across country when I retire. Will rack up the miles then.
#5
Registered User
The Dana 70 axle that comes with the auto trucks is fairly decent. One failure that I have seen several times is that, if the carrier bearings are allowed to wear enough that preload is lost, the races can spin in the housing and destroy it. I really think it might be worth throwing new carrier bearings in as preventive maintenance if a truck is used hard.
Never seen a problem with the Dana 80 that came with the manual trucks.
Never seen a problem with the Dana 80 that came with the manual trucks.
#6
Administrator
Like everyone else says, the Dana 70 in the auto and the Dana 80 in the Manual trucks are pretty doggone bulletproof. I think the issue arises is when people are running way over the rated weights, which is very easy to do with these things, not to mention running more HP/Torque that they are rated for as it is stupid easy to double or more the Hp.
I just looked over the rear in my Greenie at 220K and it is like new......... but she is stock and I don't abuse the towing rating very much.
I just looked over the rear in my Greenie at 220K and it is like new......... but she is stock and I don't abuse the towing rating very much.
#7
Registered User
this is a 8 year old video of my truck just before my friend sold it to me for $2500 bucks due to him breaking the pinion teeth off his Dana 70, lucky for me I found a sweet 2002 disk brake dana 70 on craigs list for $100 bucks from a guy who rolled his truck and was parting it out. I also know of 2 other people who have broken dana 70's with stock HP
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#8
my '01 had 180000 miles on it when I traded it, at least 70% were towing a heavy 5er and no problems with the read dif. I did have the Mag Hytec, ran the oil level high and changed it on schedule. A friend had nearly 300000 on his with no problem.
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