Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 88

BR/BE
FRONT AXLE - 216FBI (Continued)
Condition
Wheel Noise
Axle Shaft Noise
Axle Shaft Broke
Differential Cracked
Differential Gears Scored
DIAGNOSTIC CHART
Possible Causes
1. Wheel loose.
2. Faulty, brinelled wheel bearing.
1. Misaligned axle tube.
2. Bent or sprung axle shaft.
3. End-play in pinion bearings.
4. Excessive gear backlash between the
ring gear and pinion.
5. Improper adjustment of pinion gear
bearings.
6. Loose pinion yoke nut.
7. Scuffed gear tooth contact surfaces.
1. Misaligned axle tube.
2 Vehicle overloaded.
3. Erratic clutch operation.
4. Grabbing clutch.
1. Improper adjustment of the
differential bearings.
2. Excessive ring gear backlash.
3. Vehicle overloaded.
4. Erratic clutch operation.
1. Insufficient lubrication.
2. Improper grade of lubricant.
3. Excessive spinning of one wheel/tire.
FRONT AXLE - 216FBI
Correction
1. Tighten loose nuts.
2. Replace bearing.
1. Inspect axle tube alignment. Correct
as necessary.
2. Inspect and correct as necessary.
3. Refer to pinion pre-load information
and correct as necessary.
4. Check adjustment of the ring gear
and pinion backlash. Correct as
necessary.
5. Adjust the pinion bearings pre-load.
6. Tighten the pinion yoke nut.
7. Inspect and replace as necessary.
1. Replace the broken shaft after
correcting tube mis-alignment.
2. Replace broken shaft and avoid
excessive weight on vehicle.
3. Replace broken shaft and avoid or
correct erratic clutch operation.
4. Replace broken shaft and inspect and
repair clutch as necessary.
1. Replace case and inspect gears and
bearings for further damage. Set
differential bearing pre-load properly.
2. Replace case and inspect gears and
bearings for further damage. Set ring
gear backlash properly.
3. Replace case and inspect gears and
bearings for further damage. Avoid
excessive vehicle weight.
4. Replace case and inspect gears and
bearings for further damage. Avoid
erratic use of clutch.
1. Replace scored gears. Fill differential
with the correct fluid type and quantity.
2. Replace scored gears. Fill differential
with the correct fluid type and quantity.
3. Replace scored gears. Inspect all
gears, pinion bores, and shaft for
damage. Service as necessary.
3 - 15