| Issue ID | 968917 |
| Internal NHTSA # | 10502269 |
| Manufacurer | Chrysler Group LLC |
| Brand | DODGE |
| Model | RAM 1500 |
| Model Year | 2004 |
| File date | 01/02/12 |
| Component | POWER TRAIN |
| Product type code | VEHICLE |
| Description of the problem | I was driving at freeway speed, around 70 mph. Suddenly, i heard a noise from the rear of the truck and i noticed my speedometer went to zero. I was still moving at the same speed. The fault code identified a failure in the speed sensor in the rear differential. I was out of warranty, so i pulled the differential cover off and found what was left of the speed sensor in the bottom of the housing. I also found pieces of what was later identified as c clips from my lsd clutch assembly. The inductive portion of the speed sensor protrudes into the differential housing and was hit by the flying pieces of c clips. The carrier bearing also had a grove cut into it by these clips as they worked their way out. I am told that if i had not caught this, it would have resulted in carrier bearing failure and lock up of my rear axle. I removed all of the metal c clip pieces and removed the remaining c clips that had not yet fallen out. I don't know if there is any connection, but my left rear leaf spring cracked in half on the lower main leaf. I had to replace the spring assembly at my cost. I now have a permanent whine at low speeds and currently have 125,000 miles on my truck. I am certainly glad that i found these metal pieces when i did! There appears to be many complaints regarding this failure in my truck model, ranging from model years 2003 through 2006 ram 1500 equipped with the 5. 7 hemi. At this time, chrysler has not acknowledged the patterned failures in these rear differentials. |
| Vehicle Mileage at Failure | 75500 |
| Number of Occurences | 1 |
| Source of the issue | NHTSA WEB SITE |
| City and State | FONTANA, CA |
| VIN pattern | 1D7HA18D94SXXXXXX |
| Was vehicle invloved in a crash? | N |
| Was vehicle involved in a fire? | N |
| Was incedent reported to police? | N |
| Was medical attention required? | |
| Was part original equipment? | |
| No. of injured persons | 0 |
| No. of fatalities | 0 |
| Date of purchase | 06/08/26 |
| Was original owner? | N |
| Anti-lock brakes | N |
| Cruise control | N |
| Number of cylinders | 8 |
| Drive train type | |
| Transmission type | |
| Vehicle speed | 70 |
| DoT tire identifier | |
| Tire size | |
| Location of tire code | |
| Type of tire failure code | |
| Was defective tire repaired? | |
| Date of manufacture | |
| Type of child seat code | |
| Type of restraint | |
| Dealer's name | |
| Dealer's telephone number | |
| Dealer's city | |
| Dealer's state code | |
| Dealer's ZIP code |