I pulled the cover off of my rear axle today to change the gear oil and I saw something that I did not like at all. It looks like the gears inside the track rite are wearing through the outside of the differential case. I have posted a couple pictures below, please tell me what you think. Thanks.

 

Did you rotate it around and see if it looks the same on the other side? It looks like it has been ground down! Any metal in the bottom of the housing? It could be so lube can fully get around those gears and come out as well. Been a long time since I went to class on those! LOL I'll see if I can find any other pics in the service manual.

 

I didn't rotate it around, but I can see the other side and the gears are also sticking through the differential case. I will jack it up tomorrow so I can rotate it and see if the other side looks exactly the same or if 1 side seems to be worn more then the other.

 

That is weird looking. I do not believe the Dodges AAM axles came with a track lite but some other form of anti-spin differential. I am wondering if someone, modified the carrier housing to fit a oversize aftermarket locker. I say this because of the blue tape in the picture in one of the holes.

Shawn

 

Heres what I could find in the service manual. The picture is fairly generic, but I still think it has been modified for some reason. Whether the carrier is worn or was ground on - two questions - 1 - why? 2 -WHY!

INSPECTION
NOTE: Minor corrosion, nicks or scratches can be smoothed with 400 grit emery cloth and polished out with crocus cloth.

Inspect pinion gears teeth for chips and cracks (PINION GEAR AND BRAKE SHOE).
Inspect pinion gears shafts and brake shoes for scratches, flat-spots or worn (PINION GEAR AND BRAKE SHOE).
Inspect side gears teeth for chips and cracks (SIDE GEARS).
Inspect pinion and side gear bores for scratches (PINION/SIDE GEAR BORE).
NOTE: If any damage is found the differential must be replaced as an assembly. Individual components can not be replaced separately.

 

Dodger 440 = the gears you see in your pictures are correct,if you look closely at the photo posted by, vzdude , you will see if you follow caption #1 to the bottom, the half moom cutouts you see are the same as the ones exposed in your photo. this , according to the maint man. i have after very clasly observation ,the manual is clear as mud. you have to look closly at the trac-rite instructions.
grant

 

dodger 440,

If it makes you feel better mine are the same way on my 06. I noticed it when I changed out the oil the first time. I have no shavings or "glitter" in the oil and I have nearly 90,000 miles on mine. It apparently is the way the case was cut from the factory.

David

 

My '03 is exactly like yours. I think that was just a quick (cheap) way to get lubrication in there.
Dean

 

Thanks guys, I feel much better now.

 

When I changed my fluids I noticed the cut-outs, first thing that came to mind was for lubrication purposes. I also did a manual/pic search/reference and noticed them in the pic. Made me feel a little better seeing them in the pic. As long as you have no chunks of metal, maybe some fine shavings or gray metal goop on the plug, should be good to go.

CD