As the old is draining out into the pan, I say to myself, "Self, that stuff seems to have a silvery hue to it." After I get the pan off, I look at the plug, knowing due to the extensive information available here that there is a magnet located there. "Hmmm....That's the first mushroom shaped magnet I've ever seen." Wellllll...Turns out it had about 1/4 deep accumulation of metal flake on it, along with several shavings of what appeared to be the rear end housing, it looked like it had been formerly part of a casting. Not really any abnormal wear on the ring that I could see, with 18k on the truck. I shot it all down with brake cleaner, and put in fresh. I'm going to cross my fingers and take it on my planned 1500 mile road trip tomorrow, and check the magnet when I get there, and again when I get back. I wasn't going to get the extended warranty from Chrysler, but after this I think I'm going to. After all the reports of rear ends getting replaced, I'm not going to get caught on the hook at 72,000 miles. I don't beat the truck, only hauled anything even close to heavy 3 times,(under 3k) total of less than 500 miles. Never towed over 4k with it.

 

I am curious what reports of rear-ends needing to be replaced have you heard about? I haven't really heard of any failures there.

I am about to change my fluids too within the next 2 weeks and add a Mag-Hytec rear diff cover. (15K miles) I am wondering if what you saw there may have just been normal "wear in" on the ring gears. Now that you have made the fluid change ( I am assuming this is the first time) I expect that it will be cleaner next time and from now on.

 

I wouldn't worry about the metal in it unless there were huge chunks in it. When I first pulled mine, the magnet was completely coated in metal. I just chalked it up to the rear end breaking in. That was 40k miles ago. I've got 80k on the truck now and my rear end is still holding up. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Thats mostly normal stuff.See the same kinda of thing on many makes and models for years.

 

Mine was that color as well. Took a while before she started whining to the point that DC did something about it. What you are describing sounds excessive to me. See what happens with the next change.

 

mine has been doing that since she was new, 48000km ago. Every 300-400km i use to pull the plug and clean the fillings and sludge off it. Dodge does not seem worried so i guess i shoudlnt be. I would take it in and have them have a look at the fillings. and then get a written copy of their report so as to have it on recored. Other wise dont worry to much about it. Drive till she breaks. good luck

 

Just hopin it's not in the next 1500 miles. Mine's got the 30 mph cold weather howl too.