Ok here goes nothing. I asked this question on another forum but was told everthing was fine but here goes the question. I have a 2003 4X2 2500. It has 3.73 gears and the limited spin axle. I hear and feel chatter when accelerating and turning at the same time. I was told this was ok and I accepted it. Now I jsut got back from towing my camper from Myrtle Beach, about a 2 and half hour ride and my rear end was hot to the touch. I mean hot enough that I could not keep my hand on it for more that about 5 seconds. I do not have candy hands either. The truck only has 21,000 miles on it and I have only had it for about 1500 of those miles. This was my first tow job with it and now I am wondering if the rear end is burned up? I still have warranty left and will take it in next week. Does any one else have this trouble?

 

Have you thought about taking it in for warranty, 21k and chatter may mean the additive for posi was not put in. Serial number search at dealer will tell if truck has been in before rearend problems on warranty. You neglected several details like weight, gearing, outside temperature and speed. PK

 

Outside temp was about 50 degrees. Trailer weight is about 10000lbs and I was running 50-60 mph most of the way. Gears are 3.73. In comparison I towed the same trailer with my Z-71 GMC, 3.73 gears, in August 93 derees temp and no heat problems in the rear end. My GMC would not tow as fast as the dodge and really struggled as it is a 1500 but still the rear end was not heating up like the dodge. I am going to take it in friday or next week to get a consult. I have warranty left on it.

 

Great would love to know what they say but LSD's rearends have been known to lose pieces into the oil and take bearings out. Make sure they do a warranty history for you, could be the key to possible problem. Pk

 

As mentioned it would seem the diff oil is low or not the right type. Been my exp that low fluid made for some real weird handling and noise during cornering. Also get it in and have the problem documented and dont loose the papers, its the only way to make good on warranty issues.
Good luck.
Apache.

 

Ok, checked the fluid level. It is about 1 inch below the bottom of the hole. Seems like that is a bit low to me. When I bought the truck (Used, 19,000 miles) I was told a complete service had been done. The engine oil looked brand new but now I see they really did not do much else. I will take it in and make the dealer fill the fluid and document the trouble.

 

Was curious if filling the diff helped? Typically it should fill to the point of coming out fill hole. Yeah the stealers service sometimes leaves much unchecked. I no longer trust anyone in that way, if you want piece of mind check it yourself. How did the lube look? does it look like the cover ever was off for service?
Hope all is better.
Apache

 

Well I did not have time to take it to the ******* so I filled it up myself. Put in some Posi additive and then it took almost a whole quart to fill it up. That thing was seriously low. It felt better almost immediately.

 

I had the bolt holding the pinion gear loosen up enough to allow the pinion gear to back up ever so slightly to cause rearend and drivetrain chatter. My 2 cents