On top of all this, why would one vehicle have this problem, yet one that
is mechanically identical not. BTW Bob, the ring and pinion was replaced
in my vehicle, and it still whines. I am to take it in next week, and they
are going to replace the carrier and the R&P assy again.........will let
you know what happens next week. Would you like copies of the invoices for
your records?
On Fri, 26 May 2000, Bob Mankin wrote:
> Sandman wrote:
> >
> > Alright, I talked to my service manager today about this rear end noise alot of
> > you are hearing. I just casually asked him if we had had any customers coming
> > in with rear end noise between 40-50 mph and before I could even finish he told
> > me this is an age old problem with any rear end. He said it is just the way
> > the gears are cut and there's no way to fix it. You can change when it happens
> > however by adjusting the backlash. He said from the factory they make it so it
> > makes the noise at low speeds (15-20mph) so that it is ALOT less noticiable.
> > Now if your backlash gets out of adjustment for whatever reason, it generally
> > goes to about 40-50 mph. He also told me you can do all the adjusting, and
> > installing new gears you want to but that all it will do is change either 1)
> > when the noise happens or 2) the pitch of it. He told me that it is not
> > hurting the rear end in any way and that the best thing to do is just ignore
> > it, unless you hear grinding or something out of the ordinary coming from back
> > there. Also told me that this problem is very common in pretty much all makes
> > of trucks with any gears (american made anyways). So there ya have it, take it
> > with a grain of salt, believe what you want.
>
> Sandman,
>
> Problem with his description is it suggests ANY rear end will have it.
> That just isn't the case. Some on the list are having the problem, most
> are not. I never had this sort of problem with my GM vehicles. Only
> since I bought the Dakota. It's the inconsistency that says it can be
> fixed. Otherwise, what are you saying to customers of new trucks is
> "hey, you might get lucky and get one that DOESN't make noise". That is
> sort of silly, don't you think? Also, what makes this phenom specific to
> trucks only? Why not rear wheel drive vehicles period?
>
> > Now I've never known this guy to lie to me, have worked with him for about 3
> > years now, and he is very knowledgeable about this stuff. He was a mechanic
> > for various dealerships his whole life, and has been service manager at several
> > too. Including Chevrolet, Mazda, Honda, Mercedes, and now Dodge.
>
> Not questioning the guy's credentials, just his logic isn't making
> sense. Also, if you go to the carcast URL that was mentioned earlier,
> it's flat out frightening some of the horror stories about
> differentials, front end noises, transmission and steering shaft
> "clunks", bad paint, etc. All specific to Dakotas. When I ran across the
> thread about 96 Dodge Caravan transmission problems, I about peed my
> pants. I just had a tranny put in mine at 55K. New one hasn't worked
> right since. I appear to have about 200 other people(only counting those
> who've been to that site) who share in my misery. The site talks about
> all makes, models and I see a disportionate percentage devoted to
> Chrysler products. I think the Caravan tranny deal was the longest
> thread there! That's not good any way you slice it.
>
> I've added a considerable pile of paper to my case folder just today
> from list traffic here as well as those links. Thanks to all who
> contributed. I want to get it all more organized, but I think a recall
> request is reasonable. Problem is this is not safety related, so the
> importance to gov't agencies and the possibility of getting help from
> them is low. Really, the only way you get any action on this sort of
> thing is to drag it out in the public forums and parade it around. Until
> the bad press starts to impact dealership sales, they have no incentive
> to give you any satisfaction. Consumer reporters, news programs, etc.
> are all avenues we'll be using here. This has grown from an isolated
> instance with a few dealers to a widespread problem with DC as a whole.
> They had to do a buyback with the RT towing issue and that's a limited
> production truck. What are they going to do about potentially tens of
> thousands of noisy rear ends that they can't seem to fix? Blame it on
> "trucks" in general and I'll parade half a dozen other makes/models that
> don't have the problem.
>
> This one ain't over by a country mile.
>
> Bob
>
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