Please confirm or deny my theory

[Eckman]

Hello, my TV is a 2008 Nissan Titan king cab 4x4. About a month ago I pulled my trailer about 1150 miles but also had a 550 lb riding mower in the bed. The trip was fine, no issues, pulled like a champ. A few days later and no longer towing my TV made a loud clunk toward the rear end while making a left turn. It's almost feels like the rear passenger tire momentarily losses traction and you can feel the whole trucks rear weight shift. It will only happen if I am getting on the gas pedal a good bit. I did a bunch of forum and non forum searches. There are basically two things is may be, the differential is going out or a cracked leaf spring shackle. When I get under the truck I can't see any problems or move anything around on the Leaf springs. I pretty much determined that it had to be the differential UNTIL, I was on a very twisty road and the clunk and thump happened on a tight right hand turn under braking! And it was the worst it's ever happened, I though the rear end was gonna slip out from under me. So my question is, does that pretty much rule out it being the differential? I am hoping for both money and times sake it means it's a busted shackle. Thoughts?

[tugboat95]

Differential is easy to rule out. Pop off the cover and look at it. If its bad you will see it and it will have play in it If you move by hand. Have a new gasket and oil ready to reinstall if ok. Also check the drive axle make sure there is no play in the connection to the differential. Check to drained oil for metal savings. A little is normal. A lot is not. If there is a problem there Will be a lot. Inspect all the teeth of the gear for broken or chipped ones

[tugboat95]

After that put the truck up on Jack stands in such a way the axle is free. Get a flashlight look everywhere and try to move the axle. Be careful and safe doing this raise it and block the truck properly.

[mike837go]

Nothing to confirm or deny.


Just more experiments (testing) to do.


As had been mentioned. get that truck in the air with the wheels off and take a good look at every single component in the driveline (both front at rear). See if you can find the broken part.


If you can't then the diff cover comes off!

[VicS1950]

I'm not familiar with the Titan suspension.

Many leaf springs use a pin to locate and hold the axle position to the leaf spring assembly. Check that the U-bolts/brackets haven't loosened which can allow things to slip, but then return to normal.

Don't discount shock mounts or issues. Loose or worn shock mounts can make some pretty ugly noises when they shift around.

vic

[WVDusty]

One more thing to check is the center pin between the spring pack and the rear end.

[Subaru297]

Another easy one to check is a loose exhaust. Our old car had rusted through a hanger and the exhaust was banging around but only under pretty specific conditions. It was pretty loud at times too. I always thought it was a blown strut until I grabbed it one day and moved it.

Probably not the case if you are feeling a physical shift in the vehicle when it happens.

Nothing heavy sliding around in the box??

Check wheel bearings and axle retention when on the jack stands. Try to rock the wheel and pull in and push out on the wheel as well.

[Eckman]

Not really the answer I was hoping for! LOL. Thanks for the replies and ideas. I will be getting her up in some stands and taking look. Thanks again. I will post my findings.

[mjlaupp]

This sounds like a problem with a limited slip or a self locking differential not releasing properly. The axle builds up torque between the wheels until one wheel breaks traction and spins to release the torque. There is a friction modifier additive for the differential oil to help the limited slip unit operate properly. It may be time to replace the oil in the differential. When/if you drain the unit, check for metal filings in the oil.

[Filthy-Beast]

Also check the rear axle bearings and double check you don't have loose lug nuts.

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by mjlaupp

This sounds like a problem with a limited slip or a self locking differential not releasing properly.....snip

X2

Bob

[TWP723]

eckman - do you have a lift kit on the truck?

[TWP723]

Definately coming from the rear and not front, correct?

Check your front sway bar links..rears too if you have a rear bar. Check the ball joints up front as well as the control arms. Make sure they don't move even a little bit. Take a ride in the bed. Have someone else drive..slowly of course..and listen. Tell them to do the same thing..turn hard right and slow.

[Bucko06]

I hate to only share negative info but I will in this case. I have had two titans. Loved the truck. Blew the rear in both. The first was a 2005. It made a loud bang simile to your description. It wasn't more than 50 miles before it was not drive able. The second went more slowly and was aggravated by towing my 8000 lb jayco TT.

The dealer won't touch it unless you want to replace the entire axle for $5000. Consider a local shop. Try to find a Jeep specialty shop. They are experts in Dana tears which is what is under the Titan.

[VicS1950]

Originally Posted by Bucko06

...

Try to find a Jeep specialty shop. They are experts in Dana gears which is what is under the Titan.

Good advice. Another alternative.

I advocate using local independent transmission shops who set up race cars. They are generally a bit more expensive, but they know their stuff as to what works. In many cases they will have tricks to make the OEM designs more adapted to towing. Calling a local race track of any type will likely get some shop names.

Dodge/Mercedes rear end parts are notoriously expensive OEM, but those parts are exactly the same as some other more common vehicle models. You just need to find the right shop.

vic

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Filthy-Beast

Also check the rear axle bearings and double check you don't have loose lug nuts.

X2