98 Durango SLT rearend problem I think?
From : dynosaur
Q: ive got a 98 durango slt with 4x4 auto trans with the partial and full time case and 5.9 liter. the problem im having appears at lower speed going around turns. i dont have to be taking a 90 degree turn. something less sharp will also cause. it almost sounds like a grinding to the rear of the vehicle. its as if something is in a bind. when the durango straightens up and starts to go in a straight line the binding goes away and the rear end of the vehicle is quiet. it is not the front end of staying engaged and seems to be making the sound in the rear and it does it when backing up into when parking as well. as long as the durango is going straight it is fine. ive got an 01 dakota with 4.7 and auto and it has a limited slip rearend and when turning it is nothing like the binding i am getting with the durango. the binding also seems to be more pronounced when going around slow left hand turns than right hand turns. could this be a wheel bearing problem or more likely a differential problem any other ideas any recalls the durango has 78k miles. thanks in advance. ben .
Replies:
From : dick puter413atyahoo com
do you have limited slip on the durango if so try changing the lube to the proper gear oil. ive got a 98 durango slt with 4x4 auto trans with the partial and full time case and 5.9 liter. the problem im having appears at lower speed going around turns. i dont have to be taking a 90 degree turn. something less sharp will also cause. it almost sounds like a grinding to the rear of the vehicle. its as if something is in a bind. when the durango straightens up and starts to go in a straight line the binding goes away and the rear end of the vehicle is quiet. it is not the front end of staying engaged and seems to be making the sound in the rear and it does it when backing up into when parking as well. as long as the durango is going straight it is fine. ive got an 01 dakota with 4.7 and auto and it has a limited slip rearend and when turning it is nothing like the binding i am getting with the durango. the binding also seems to be more pronounced when going around slow left hand turns than right hand turns. could this be a wheel bearing problem or more likely a differential problem any other ideas any recalls the durango has 78k miles. thanks in advance. ben --- outgoing mail is certified virus free. checked by avg anti-virus system http//www.grisoft.com. version 6.0.723 / virus database 479 - release date 7/19/2004 .
From : dynosaur
im pretty sure it does have a limited slip differential. i would not have thought that this problem could be solved so easily. this is a newly purchased used durango so i dont know the maintenance history as well as i would have liked. i wish there was a website i could go to and type in the vin and have it spit out the options and stuff like whether its got a limited slip rearend. ben do you have limited slip on the durango if so try changing the lube to the proper gear oil. ive got a 98 durango slt with 4x4 auto trans with the partial and full time case and 5.9 liter. the problem im having appears at lower speed going around turns. i dont have to be taking a 90 degree turn. something less sharp will also cause. it almost sounds like a grinding to the rear of the vehicle. its as if something is in a bind. when the durango straightens up and starts to go in a straight line the binding goes away and the rear end of the vehicle is quiet. it is not the front end of staying engaged and seems to be making the sound in the rear and it does it when backing up into when parking as well. as long as the durango is going straight it is fine. ive got an 01 dakota with 4.7 and auto and it has a limited slip rearend and when turning it is nothing like the binding i am getting with the durango. the binding also seems to be more pronounced when going around slow left hand turns than right hand turns. could this be a wheel bearing problem or more likely a differential problem any other ideas any recalls the durango has 78k miles. thanks in advance. ben --- outgoing mail is certified virus free. checked by avg anti-virus system http//www.grisoft.com. version 6.0.723 / virus database 479 - release date 7/19/2004 .
From : tom lawrence
vin and have it spit out the options and stuff like whether its got a limited slip rearend. put the transmission in neutral transfer case in 2wd parking brake disengaged. block a front wheel both in front and behind. jack up one rear wheel just enough so its off the ground. try and turn the raised wheel. if it spins you have an open rear. if you cant turn it you have a limited-slip rear. .
From : computerguru
i have the exact same annoyance on my 97 jeep grand cherokee with dana 44 aluminum rear axle. mine does have the limited slip option installed any ideas of what the problem might be would the original posters vehicle also be equipped with the dana 44 rear-end i am using the correct fluid with friction modifier for the limited slip. any ideas would be great! james -- -- regards computer-guru pctech@fdn.com comptia a+ certified microsoft certified professional ==================== ive got a 98 durango slt with 4x4 auto trans with the partial and full time case and 5.9 liter. the problem im having appears at lower speed going around turns. i dont have to be taking a 90 degree turn. something less sharp will also cause. it almost sounds like a grinding to the rear of the vehicle. its as if something is in a bind. when the durango straightens up and starts to go in a straight line the binding goes away and the rear end of the vehicle is quiet. it is not the front end of staying engaged and seems to be making the sound in the rear and it does it when backing up into when parking as well. as long as the durango is going straight it is fine. ive got an 01 dakota with 4.7 and auto and it has a limited slip rearend and when turning it is nothing like the binding i am getting with the durango. the binding also seems to be more pronounced when going around slow left hand turns than right hand turns. could this be a wheel bearing problem or more likely a differential problem any other ideas any recalls the durango has 78k miles. thanks in advance. ben .
From : dynosaur
it would be nice if someone from here could tell me what my vin says about options so id know for future reference. better yet look it up and fax me the results. ; i have the exact same annoyance on my 97 jeep grand cherokee with dana 44 aluminum rear axle. mine does have the limited slip option installed any ideas of what the problem might be would the original posters vehicle also be equipped with the dana 44 rear-end i am using the correct fluid with friction modifier for the limited slip. any ideas would be great! james -- -- regards computer-guru pctech@fdn.com comptia a+ certified microsoft certified professional ==================== ive got a 98 durango slt with 4x4 auto trans with the partial and full time case and 5.9 liter. the problem im having appears at lower speed going around turns. i dont have to be taking a 90 degree turn. something less sharp will also cause. it almost sounds like a grinding to the rear of the vehicle. its as if something is in a bind. when the durango straightens up and starts to go in a straight line the binding goes away and the rear end of the vehicle is quiet. it is not the front end of staying engaged and seems to be making the sound in the rear and it does it when backing up into when parking as well. as long as the durango is going straight it is fine. ive got an 01 dakota with 4.7 and auto and it has a limited slip rearend and when turning it is nothing like the binding i am getting with the durango. the binding also seems to be more pronounced when going around slow left hand turns than right hand turns. could this be a wheel bearing problem or more likely a differential problem any other ideas any recalls the durango has 78k miles. thanks in advance. ben .
From : dick puter413atyahoo com
look on your option tag in glove box look on tag on axle or go to any dc dealer and ask for a print out on your vehicle. i do all this before i buy a vehicle. also carfax before after is too late. it would be nice if someone from here could tell me what my vin says about options so id know for future reference. better yet look it up and fax me the results. ; i have the exact same annoyance on my 97 jeep grand cherokee with dana 44 aluminum rear axle. mine does have the limited slip option installed any ideas of what the problem might be would the original posters vehicle also be equipped with the dana 44 rear-end i am using the correct fluid with friction modifier for the limited slip. any ideas would be great! james -- -- regards computer-guru pctech@fdn.com comptia a+ certified microsoft certified professional ==================== ive got a 98 durango slt with 4x4 auto trans with the partial and full time case and 5.9 liter. the problem im having appears at lower speed going around turns. i dont have to be taking a 90 degree turn. something less sharp will also cause. it almost sounds like a grinding to the rear of the vehicle. its as if something is in a bind. when the durango straightens up and starts to go in a straight line the binding goes away and the rear end of the vehicle is quiet. it is not the front end of staying engaged and seems to be making the sound in the rear and it does it when backing up into when parking as well. as long as the durango is going straight it is fine. ive got an 01 dakota with 4.7 and auto and it has a limited slip rearend and when turning it is nothing like the binding i am getting with the durango. the binding also seems to be more pronounced when going around slow left hand turns than right hand turns. could this be a wheel bearing problem or more likely a differential problem any other ideas any recalls the durango has 78k miles. thanks in advance. ben --- outgoing mail is certified virus free. checked by avg anti-virus system http//www.grisoft.com. version 6.0.723 / virus database 479 - release date 7/19/2004 .
From : dynosaur
time when i was in pre-business school and that was the last time with all that vibrating and could barely get out of its own way. i guess i got of topic but not really -so thanks for reading the words of this patriot! and hey i have nothing against chevys or mopar either. they all have the big power that people need for crusing in style. steve mac . 222 285996 jzrmc.19089$ku.8723@animal.nntpserver.com i ran a car fax and it showed no problem at all. a carfax doesnt cover mechanical problems though. i did do a check on it through the dodge website for recalls and there is a gas tank strap recall that needs to be performed so ill get that done and maybe they can diagnose the rear end problem too while they have it. look on your option tag in glove box look on tag on axle or go to any dc dealer and ask for a print out on your vehicle. i do all this before i buy a vehicle. also carfax before after is too late. it would be nice if someone from here could tell me what my vin says about options so id know for future reference. better yet look it up and fax me the results. ; i have the exact same annoyance on my 97 jeep grand cherokee with dana 44 aluminum rear axle. mine does have the limited slip option installed any ideas of what the problem might be would the original posters vehicle also be equipped with the dana 44 rear-end i am using the correct fluid with friction modifier for the limited slip. any ideas would be great! james -- -- regards computer-guru pctech@fdn.com comptia a+ certified microsoft certified professional ==================== ive got a 98 durango slt with 4x4 auto trans with the partial and full time case and 5.9 liter. the problem im having appears at lower speed going around turns. i dont have to be taking a 90 degree turn. something less sharp will also cause. it almost sounds like a grinding to the rear of the vehicle. its as if something is in a bind. when the durango straightens up and starts to go in a straight line the binding goes away and the rear end of the vehicle is quiet. it is not the front end of staying engaged and seems to be making the sound in the rear and it does it when backing up into when parking as well. as long as the durango is going straight it is fine. ive got an 01 dakota with 4.7 and auto and it has a limited slip rearend and when turning it is nothing like the binding i am getting with the durango. the binding also seems to be more pronounced when going around slow left hand turns than right hand turns. could this be a wheel bearing problem or more likely a differential problem any other ideas any recalls the durango has 78k miles. thanks in advance. ben --- outgoing mail is certified virus free. checked by avg anti-virus system http//www.grisoft.com. version 6.0.723 / virus database 479 - release date 7/19/2004 .
From : james1549
once you are certain you have a limited slip diff remove the cover and drain all the 80w-90w oil. reinstall the cover using oil resistant silicon sealer. no gasket is required on this application. purchase 1 bottle of friction modifier from your local dodge or jeep dealer. i heard others recommend 2 bottles so that is what i did. add the friction modifier first then top off with the 80-90w gear lube. while at the dealer you can purchase a new rubber fill plug to prevent any leakage in the future. good luck james .
From : computerguru
hi james thanks for the response. so basically the problem is caused by poor maintenance i bought my jeep with 85k miles on it and it had the problem when i got it. no service records came with the jeep but it was in excellent condition and seemed to be very well maintained. shortly after buying i changed the fluid in the differential and used the correct fluid and friction modifier and the noise is still there. it doesnt seem to hurt anything but it is annoying. does this indicate permanent damage to the clutches will the problem continue to get worse or stay the same and not hurt anything thanks! james -- -- regards computer-guru pctech@fdn.com comptia a+ certified microsoft certified professional ==================== that is very common problem/symptom of a limited slip diff with over 30k without being serviced. it is simply the clutches releasing and grabbing because they are not properly lubricated. james .
From : james1549
that is very common problem/symptom of a limited slip diff with over 30k without being serviced. it is simply the clutches releasing and grabbing because they are not properly lubricated. james .
From : mac davis
on sun 25 jul 2004 231645 -0400 computer-guru pctech@fdn.com wrote hi james thanks for the response. so basically the problem is caused by poor maintenance i bought my jeep with 85k miles on it and it had the problem when i got it. no service records came with the jeep but it was in excellent condition and seemed to be very well maintained. shortly after buying i changed the fluid in the differential and used the correct fluid and friction modifier and the noise is still there. it doesnt seem to hurt anything but it is annoying. does this indicate permanent damage to the clutches will the problem continue to get worse or stay the same and not hurt anything thanks! james james.. i cant find your original post... what kind of noise is it making taking my 99 ram back to dealer today for rear end howl mac .
From : dynosaur
ok i took it to the local dealer this morning and the mechanic thinks that the rear end only needs servicing to fix the grabbing. while it was there they also checked the other fluids and they need to be changed. i dont have a manual for this durango and was wondering what differential lube is best and whether it needs 1 or 2 bottles of friction modifier. i also need to know what type of lube goes in the transfer case. it has the selectable full time and part time 4wd settings if that makes any difference or not. also what is the best type of sealant to use on the axle cover no gasket just sealant thanks much for helping. there ought to be a website somewhere with this info in it and probably is and i just havent found it. ben that is very common problem/symptom of a limited slip diff with over 30k without being serviced. it is simply the clutches releasing and grabbing because they are not properly lubricated. james .
From : tom lawrence
have a manual for this durango and was wondering what differential lube is best plain old non-synthetic 80w90 gl-5 gear oil of any name brand will be fine. you can go synthetic if you want... it wont do much but it wont hurt either. and whether it needs 1 or 2 bottles of friction modifier. typically 3 oz. per quart of gear oil. most bottles are 4oz. so 1.5 bottles i also need to know what type of lube goes in the transfer case. atf - either atf+3 or dexron transfer cases arent picky. transmissions are another story - never use dexron in your transmission - always atf+3 or atf+4 more $$$. keep it simple - use +3 in both. also what is the best type of sealant to use on the axle cover plain old rtv. i prefer permatex ultra black so that when i make a mess with it and it its not as noticeable. no gasket just sealant nope - no gasket. .
From : dynosaur
my durango does have a limited slip rearend and i used mobil 1 synthetic 75w-90 lube and also bought the limited slip additive from auto zone and i can barely detect any grabbiness after changing the lube and additive. the lube that i drained out of the rear differential was pretty clean looking and appears to have been changed in the not too distant past. my theory is that who ever changed it previously did not add the additive. i dont know if the additive was really necessary after i changed to full synthetic mobil 1 but i did it anyway. im under the impression that the additive itself is just a super slick oil and lets the clutches slip more easily and there for reduce the grip of the clutches. since the synthetic lube is supposed to be slicker than mineral based lube it may have not been necessary to add the additive. any thoughts on my reasoning just curious myself. ben once you are certain you have a limited slip diff remove the cover and drain all the 80w-90w oil. reinstall the cover using oil resistant silicon sealer. no gasket is required on this application. purchase 1 bottle of friction modifier from your local dodge or jeep dealer. i heard others recommend 2 bottles so that is what i did. add the friction modifier first then top off with the 80-90w gear lube. while at the dealer you can purchase a new rubber fill plug to prevent any leakage in the future. good luck james .