2024 Limited: Never-Ending drivetrain issues

[gwilburn]

This truck has been nothing but trouble from the day I picked it up (window trim, drivers side door glass, crappy sound system)... But the real problem started this past August when I dragged an enclosed trailer (3 harleys) about 1200 miles round trip. Upon returning home, my 3.92 limited slip was binding up at only 20,000 miles.
Took it to the dealer and told them the rear end had issues... instead of checking it, they replaced the carrier bearing. After 3 more trips to the dealer, they said the rear end was full of milky fluid and debris. They installed a rear differential kit. The binding was gone, but it shuddered terribly from a stop (like axle hop). Several more trips, Star cases, etc. and it's still not fixed - fluid is milky again with debris. Truck has been at the garage since 12/24 - now they want it 5 more days. They "finally got approval" to replace the entire rear axle assembly but have to wait on parts.

I've been Ram all my life... my last one (2014) went over 100K with very minor issues. It pulled the same trailer 25,000 miles.
When is enough, enough?

 

[gwilburn]

Delivery date for new rear axle assembly has been pushed back until 1/09 (tomorrow). Dealership says it will be done on Friday
I was supposed to drag my enclosed trailer (4 snowmobiles) and 3 other guys 800 miles this Sunday for a week of riding. No one (including me) trusts that my truck will be fixed right. Now we are going to be riding in a Tundra "Double Cab" with the half-sized rear doors.

Anyone else have the rear axle replaced? Will the truck ever be 100% right?

 

[Fatherof3]

I haven’t heard that issue before but it should be good with a new rear end in it .

 

[2021EcoDiesel]

Had my 3.92 E Locker rear rebuilt at around 105,000 miles by an independent shop and it has been flawless so far. My issue was that the pinion bearing was shredded. You should be just fine so long as your dealer does a thorough job. Swapping the whole axle assembly is not a small job however, you will be getting a brand new factory axle that has all new components in it (shims, gears, carrier, bearings, and seals) that eliminates a lot of variables that can be screwed up by a small mistake or something like a missed bolt. I do agree that its probably a good idea to using your buddies truck for your trip though. You have to give that repair a trial run before putting a trailer and your friends in there. God forbid there's an issue with the repair you don't want to find that out at 70 MPH towing 4 sleds up/down a mountain... Take your truck next time!

 

[John Kloehr]

I suggest about 500 miles of light driving (no trailer, avoid full throttle at least at first) to give the new diff a fair chance of good break-in. No reason it should not last "forever" after that.

 

[gwilburn]

Had my 3.92 E Locker rear rebuilt at around 105,000 miles by an independent shop and it has been flawless so far. My issue was that the pinion bearing was shredded. You should be just fine so long as your dealer does a thorough job. Swapping the whole axle assembly is not a small job however, you will be getting a brand new factory axle that has all new components in it (shims, gears, carrier, bearings, and seals) that eliminates a lot of variables that can be screwed up by a small mistake or something like a missed bolt. I do agree that its probably a good idea to using your buddies truck for your trip though. You have to give that repair a trial run before putting a trailer and your friends in there. God forbid there's an issue with the repair you don't want to find that out at 70 MPH towing 4 sleds up/down a mountain... Take your truck next time!

The monkeys at the dealership doing anything right is my biggest concern.
And I'd love to be able to travel 70 pulling the trailer. We're typically closer to 80 (PA/OH Turnpike followed by Interstate 75 up through Michigan)

FWIW this truck rolled off the line on Friday, October 13th, 2023

 

[2021EcoDiesel]

Gotta maintain the old Russian proverb, "Trust, but verify." You should be just fine, but if any hiccups or "whoopsie poopsies" occur, it's better to have them at home! I'm also gonna second what John Kloehr said above, light driving for a little after the repair for break in, and maybe replace the fluid out of it after a few thousand miles if you're feeling froggy. Keep us posted on how the truck comes out and best of luck to you. And have fun in the snow!