Problem: Groaning in rear (NOT SPAM NOT PORN) Serious inquiry

From : henry horrocks

Q: hello all truck 2001 ram 1500 gasoline engine regular cab pickup with limited slip differential. problem when i back and turn or make tight radius truns in a parking lot there is a groaning noise in the rear of the truck. more noticeable if the sliding rear window is open i seem to remember somewhere this is an issue with limited slip differentials and that its not a serious matter something like the grease temporarily out from between the plates or also i seem to recall there was a temporary fix something like drive three times in as tight a radius circle as you can manage. but this might just be an urban legend grin anyway im sure you experts will have some helpful word on this. best regards and thanks for your time. henry .

Replies:

From : steve porterjon in da up of mi ten pu nojpdu

try replacing the throttle position sensor. not that uncommon of a problem. easy to do yourself. if you have an auto zone store in your area you should be able to buy it there cheaper than from the dealer. had the same problem and that cured it immediately. -- thanks sporter@cet.com steve my 99 ram rpms increase about 300 to 500 and then drop back down while in cruse. it doesnt do it unless it is in cruse. 2 wheel drive 318 auto. 40000 miles any suggestions .

From : jon in da up of mi ten pu nojpdu

have you had the read diff fluid changed if so did they add friction modifier could be the pinion bearing. i would get it looked at before you have a mass of metal that was once gears. i had a garage change my rear diff fluid and not add the friction modifier.. i noticed it with the same symptoms as you.. took it strait back to the shop and had them put it in.. 30 days later had them test the anti spin and no problems. but if there was someone would be in trouble.. namely tech that did the work.. it was right on the repair order that it was a ltd slip. and needed friction modifier. hello all truck 2001 ram 1500 gasoline engine regular cab pickup with limited slip differential. problem when i back and turn or make tight radius truns in a parking lot there is a groaning noise in the rear of the truck. more noticeable if the sliding rear window is open i seem to remember somewhere this is an issue with limited slip differentials and that its not a serious matter something like the grease temporarily out from between the plates or also i seem to recall there was a temporary fix something like drive three times in as tight a radius circle as you can manage. but this might just be an urban legend grin anyway im sure you experts will have some helpful word on this. best regards and thanks for your time. henry .

From : rick

i have a 2002 with the same problem. the dealer said that if you used the truck to tow that the fluid has to be replaced with synthetic gear oil. i replaced mine and the noise did go away for awhile but it has returned. hope that helps. rick hello all truck 2001 ram 1500 gasoline engine regular cab pickup with limited slip differential. problem when i back and turn or make tight radius truns in a parking lot there is a groaning noise in the rear of the truck. more noticeable if the sliding rear window is open i seem to remember somewhere this is an issue with limited slip differentials and that its not a serious matter something like the grease temporarily out from between the plates or also i seem to recall there was a temporary fix something like drive three times in as tight a radius circle as you can manage. but this might just be an urban legend grin anyway im sure you experts will have some helpful word on this. best regards and thanks for your time. henry .

From : tom lawrence

truck 2001 ram 1500 gasoline engine regular cab pickup with limited slip differential. problem when i back and turn or make tight radius truns in a parking lot there is a groaning noise in the rear of the truck. more noticeable if the sliding rear window is open yes - you probably dont have the friction modifier in the rear. the fact that it happens only when turning and not going straight definately points to the lsd unit. stop by your dealer and get a tube of friction modifier. pop the plug off of the differential believe its a rubber plug and make sure the oil isnt up to the bottom of the hole you want some room to put the modifier in. if it is siphon about 8oz. out. squeeze in the modifier replace the plug and drive it around. your noise will probably go away. if it doesnt then id have someone look more closely at the differential. small noises from the axles now turn into expensive problems later if not addressed. good luck .