Hi All,

This is my first CTD Dodge. I really like it so far ('05 2500 Quad SB). Always been a Powerstroke guy so I'm familiar with the Ford's drivetrain's actions and not familiar with Dodge's.

My question concerns the "rear wheel hop" I get when startig out from a stopped position and immediatlly turning 90 degrees (like turning right or left at a stop sign or from a driveway onto the street). I'm not really "getting on it" either, just a normal acceleration.
I have a limitied slip rear end and it feels like its locked up and that is what is givng me this "hop or chug" jumping of the rear end as I turn with acceleration.
It's worse if there is a bit of sand or gravel to make it a bit slippery. It concerns me as this feels like it can't be good for the drivelines or rear end. It's not horrific or anything , just really noticeable, almost like a posi locked rear end where you have a bit of "hop" due to the outer wheel not rolling faster than the inside turning wheel.

Anyone ever felt this? Is it just because the rear ends are so light weighted on these short bed heavy front end diesel trucks and thus the torque makes 'em jumpy from turning starts even at normal acceleration?
BTW, These Dodge's do drive different then my Ford. On a rain slick road I really got on to it about three-quarters of the way through my turn onto a street running about 25 mph. The truck started to come around as the rear end lost it. It really recovered and corrected itself nicely with the Dodge's solid steering.
With my Ford's snappy steering (you better never take your eyes off the road), I would have been over correcting trying to catch up with the truck for half a block. . I was very impressed with my Dodge's recovery.
Thanks for any info you can post on the rear end "hop" thing.

 

Ihave that in my truck also, I believe it is normal , however not sure how drastic it is on your truck, just the normal grabbing releasing of the clutches pretty much.

 

Mine does it too. This is normal for a limited slip rear. If you don't want it to do it when pulling out making a sharp turn you have to pull out really easy

 

Thanks for the replies to my thread. I figured it might be the case of my not being used to Mopar limited slip. I feel much better about it now.

There is one good thing that came out of it. At least I know my 4x4 limited slip option works.
I could never tell if it was working or not on my 4x4 Ford and I just love the ABS braking system on this Ram truck compared to my 2000 Powerstroke which #1, only worked sporadicaly, and #2, warped and ate rotors like nobody's business. One good jamming lock-up of the brakes at highway speeds and you could count on the front rotors at the very least being warped, though repairable maybe. Traded her in with 98,980 miles on it. Went through three sets of front rotors and two sets of rears. Funny enough, Ford makes a great premium brake pad and they only needed replacing once at 65,000 miles.....go figure.
Thanks again for your replies

 

Mine does the same so I consider it to be normal. Now, you can either take it REAL easy coming out of a turn or you can nail it and have it swing around just nicely.

 

This even a little more pronounced with my 315s. I have gotten use to it. I either make wide slow turns or use the Nuttymopar method. The Nuttymopar method can be a lot of fun or an adrenaline rush depending on the road and the HOT Juice setting .

 

What he said

 

it's normal.... we have no clutches in our rear diff's... just 6 brake shoes behind the 6 pinion gears... pic grabbed from service manual in my dtr photo gallery
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that begs the question on how long the brake shoes last...

 

probably as long as a clutch pack in a slushbox trans will last... most driving is pretty straight down the roads... so there isn't too much differential action happening, and even the little that is happening, there isn't much load against the brake shoes there since the speed differential is low... now with sharp cornering, there is more loading the shoes, but how long/how many tire revolutions happen when making a sharp corner [90° to 180°]... i only really notice the lsd wanting to grab when i am near steering lock... normal street right hand turns i don't really feel the diff acting, and left turns, never feel it grabbing...

 

I don't really have that problem with mine (11.5 rear, manual) but I'm used to driving a Jeep with auto lockers front and rear. I sometimes get a LITTLE slip in the rain.

I noticed it very much in 4lo, 1st gear, turning full lock in the wet grass. The rear really wants to lock up. Almost felt more like a locker than an LSD