gav91183

What would cause multiple failures? Here is the situation and at the moment I dont have the parts list infront of my i will find it shortly. This is all by memory.

Ok so almost 2 years ago I hit a curb pretty hard and bent the rear axle. Insurance covered it and replaced it with a salvaged axle. Rear diff started leaking after about 4 months, relpaced a seal. The front side of the rear end started leaking as well a month or so later replaced the yoke and front side seal. about 6 months later the bearings go out, send it off get it rebuilt, replace a lot of internals I get it back. about another 6-7 months go by the bearings are going out AGAIN! The think a tube may be warped so they find another rear axle (looks A LOT newer) and replace it with that one. Only after about a week and a half, yes A WEEK AND A HALF, Car started whining on the way to work (i drive about 50 miles 1 way) and I knew it was the bearings. I planned on taking it to the dealership (a dodge dealer) on the way home and thats when I have a massive failure to the point where when i turned at a light and stop sign I heard a lot of chatter/clanging/car struggled to move and whine 2 miles or so from work. Got the car towed. I mean the car has been in and out about 6 times for a rearend in less than 2 years!

Now my question is what could be causing this? Bent/tweaked frame? something not being installed correctly? Incorrect gear oil? NO additive (paperwork said it was added).

I'm at a loss as well as the dealership and my Insurance company at the moment. They have put almost $9K into the car if you add the "complementary rental service" since I did not have rental converage (get it for the $3 a month!)

guppymech

iTrader: (7)

Your problems are probably a combination of used rear ends being installed 'as is' and leaks letting the fluid level drop causing bearing damage. If the pinion nut is not torqued to the correct setting when changing the pinion seal, that can cause trouble down the road also. You need to maybe find a new shop to set up the CLEAN rear end with new bearings and seals. Change the lube at 500 miles after the rebuild and you should be good to go.
It's not rocket science, with good shop practices and proper set up the rear should last a long time.

gav91183

that makes sense but hopefully they are not retarded

This was done with a rusted out rear, the first one they "replaced" mine with. Will probably have to do again.

DING! DING! DING!!! We have a winner. Noone EVER had told me 1) drive it gingerly for 500 miles 2) Noone EVER told me to come back and make sure the lube gets changed this way all the debri gets taken out. Thus, making the rear always fail with junk in there.

With it being Progressive, I need to take it to a progressive place (aka the dodge dealer closest to the house) otherwise the work isn't warrantied AND any other "damages" would not be covered. I believe they had sent the rearend to someone the last time and maybe they were told, but i wasn't about the fluid being changed.

Thanks for the help, IF they rebuild it again and not total it since they have put so much into it, I will suggest to them that I get the fuild changed after 500 miles otherwise I will be in this situation AGAIN! I'm ready to get rid of my car because of this and it runs and drives great

guppymech

iTrader: (7)

If I understand correctly, you have a extended warranty with Progressive and so far you've been going to the same repair shop and getting crap results. You should take the car to a rear end specialist and just eat the $300 repair cost if they won't cover it. The place you've been going is no good.

gav91183

well it is their lifetime guarantee if you go to one of their repair/body shops. I spoke to the shop yesterday and they said progressive is more than likely just going to get me a brand new rear end ordered from Chevrolet. Either way I've had enough and I don't know if there is an underlying issue causing these rear ends or bearings to fail. So When I get it back, it will probably be up for sale asap.