2022 RAM 1500 4x4 Rear Diff issue

[Ram_Yak]

Hi all, just got my truck out of the shop, repaired under warranty with 33k miles. The issue was the rear differential was making grinding noises.
Tech notes: Replaced the carrier, front and rear pin bearings, axel bearings, and carrier bearings due to metal contamination and scared races. replaced the axel seals, pinion seals etc.
Bought used in 2024, towed a 26ft RV a couple times that should be well within towing specs for the truck.
Just wondering how many other folks have had this issue with such low mileage and any ideas on what might cause this issue other than just defective parts?

 

[Jmac509]

Definitely not a common problem I've seen posted about. I'm glad they took care of you under warranty, as they should.

Just an observation, I typically see people with differential trouble have lift kits, over sized tires, and I think if you combine that with the relatively low payload of the truck being less than 1000 lbs in the higher trims you can exceed the advertised limit. a 26 foot RV might have a 500-700 lb tongue weight leaving only 300-500 lbs for passengers, luggage, and cargo. I'm not saying you went over the limit but I understand why people move to the 3500 if they are bringing 4 people, plus luggage and cargo, and pulling a travel trailer for a family getaway.

On the flipside, there are people here who travel all over the USA towing a travel trailer behind a half ton without issues.

My guess is you just got unlucky. Fortunate you discovered this while you are still under warranty.

If you suspect you will frequently tow and this might happen to you again outside of warranty you may consider switching to a 3500.

 

[Guyfromthenorth]

I think you just had bad luck as well, the rear diffs are not known to be problematic in these trucks. You did however buy the truck used and there is a recommended break-in procedure for the rear diff (especially around not towing until it's broken in, letting it cool down every X number of miles when first driven, etc). If the break in isn't followed correctly and the diff is over-worked\beat on during that initial period you can damage the hard-facing on the gears and bearings which won't neccessarily fail immediately but could come up later on down the road, no pun intended. Maybe the original owner whipped the hell out of it right off the dealer lot and then you caught time-bomb waiting to come apart. Just a thought, was good they took care of you though. I've owned 4 Rams now (all from brand new) and the only rear diff issue I ever had was one had a leaky axle tube seal. I drive consistently hard back dirt roads, tow 5000lbs trailers, and do other things that a 1500 is made for and never blown a rear end. I've owned both LSD and open versions too.

I did have a 2014 that blew it's front diff however. It was never beat on, had full OEM gear oil, and luckily happened under warranty. No idea why it went but I caught it while doing my brakes in the driveway, I turned the hub by hand to line up the rotor and heard a god awful droning sound from the pumpkin. Replaced and no issues with any other front diff since (not counting the horribly designed passenger side outbput shaft that I just finished replacing on my 2019 lol). To this day the best I can figure is it was a factory defect.