Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives cussed Dodge

'08 2500, 135k miles. I have a rear diff bearing(s) going bad. I took it to a transmission shop and they found quite a bit of metal in the oil. Then they did a VIN check on that diff. They found that it's one that was made during a few years when Dodge was making their own bearings. They're a special deal and can only be obtained through Dodge. When they found that out, he told me I'd save quite a bit of money by taking it to the Dodge dealer because they won't sell shops the parts at wholesale. He has to pay retail and that makes the parts so expensive that he can't compete with the dealer. He said that most parts dealers have a diff kit with all the necessary bearings, etc. in 1 box. Not so with this one. They sell each part separately.
I despise this local dealer but I have to suck it up and pay their price, whatever it will be. I doubt I can get out under $2k.

For $2K can't you buy an entire new rear axle housing, bearings, gears, hubs, etc? Pull the drive-shaft off the rear diff, 4 U-Bolts, the 2 rear shackle bolts then swap in the new one.

Just wait for the transmission to go out. It will be next in that vintage. I believe they use a 545RFE that is prone to going out without warning. Stands to reason, since it was designed to go in a Jeep and they stuffed it in a 3/4 ton. My dad lost one at under 50,000 miles with no towing miles at all. Sometimes they drop an oil pickup in the pan and burn up for lack of oil pressure.

And this is how rumors are started! Unless it has the rare 5.7 L in it, an 08 2500 had a 68RFE in it which are a dang good tranny, unless guys start boosting the horsepower with modifications they held up quite well.

Pretty sure RC's truck is a 6 speed manual.

Sucks about the diff RC!

Dad’s truck had the 5.7 with the 545RFE. I guess he was just unlucky.

Yup, and the Cummins

Good call on the manual.

It's another 2 weeks before I can get it in the shop. They're busy. Then if they have to order parts, it might be a while longer. At least I can drive it in the meantime.

Biggest POS I ever owned was a 08 Dodge 2500. I'll never own anything Mopar again after that disaster. Good luck RC, FYI, bearings are bearings. If there's a bearing shop anywhere local it might just pay off to have somebody you trust tear down the axle and then run the bearings to a bearing house and get them. Even f you have to order em, it may save you a ton of money.

Sorry you are having trouble, my 04 2500 diesel keeps blowing and going, 206,000 thousand. I had to rebuild the front end and a couple of water pumps.