Dodge 2000 DURANGO - Page 117

Condition Possible Causes Correction
Loss Of Lubricant 1. Lubricant level too high. 1. Drain lubricant to the correct level.
2. Worn axle shaft seals. 2. Replace seals.
3. Cracked differential housing. 3. Repair as necessary.
4. Worn pinion seal. 4. Replace seal.
5. Worn/scored companion flange. 5. Replace companion flange and seal.
6. Axle cover not properly sealed. 6. Remove, clean, and re-seal cover.
Axle Overheating 1. Lubricant level low. 1. Fill differential to correct level.
2. Improper grade of lubricant. 2. Fill differential with the correct fluid type
and quantity.
3. Bearing pre-loads too high. 3. Re-adjust bearing pre-loads.
4. Insufficient ring gear backlash. 4. Re-adjust ring gear backlash.
Gear Teeth Broke 1. Overloading. 1. Replace gears. Examine other gears
and bearings for possible damage.
2. Erratic clutch operation. 2. Replace gears and examine the
remaining parts for damage. Avoid erratic
clutch operation.
3. Ice-spotted pavement. 3. Replace gears and examine remaining
parts for damage.
4. Improper adjustments. 4. Replace gears and examine remaining
parts for damage. Ensure ring gear
backlash is correct.
Axle Noise 1. Insufficient lubricant. 1. Fill differential with the correct fluid type
and quantity.
2. Improper ring gear and pinion
adjustment.
2. Check ring gear and pinion contact
pattern.
3. Unmatched ring gear and pinion. 3. Replace gears with a matched ring gear
and pinion.
4. Worn teeth on ring gear and/or
pinion.
4. Replace ring gear and pinion.
5. Loose pinion bearings. 5. Adjust pinion bearing pre-load.
6. Loose differential bearings. 6. Adjust differential bearing pre-load.
7. Mis-aligned or sprung ring gear. 7. Measure ring gear run-out. Replace
components as necessary.
8. Loose differential bearing cap
bolts.
8. Inspect differential components and
replace as necessary. Ensure that the
bearing caps are torqued tot he proper
specification.
9. Housing not machined properly. 9. Replace housing.
GEAR NOISE
Axle gear noise can be caused by insufficient lubri-
cant, incorrect backlash, tooth contact, worn/damaged
gears, or the carrier housing not having the proper
offset and squareness.
Gear noise usually happens at a specific speed
range. The noise can also occur during a specific type
of driving condition. These conditions are accelera-
tion, deceleration, coast, or constant load.
DN 8 1/4 AND 9 1/4 AXLE 3 - 67
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)