Front diff mounts broken

[JeffinNB]

My buddy gave me a 2014 Ram 1500 Outdoorsman with a 5.7, 8 speed and 3.92 gears.

The passengers side and rear (3 bolt) diff mounts were broken off.



When removing the diff I noticed there were no bolts in the diffs top mount and the threaded holes looked like they haven't had a bolt in them for a long time.



I bought a used diff (supposedly from a 2013) and two new front cv axles and after installing the two bolts in the passengers side mount and the two in the top mount I tested to see if I could get the driveshaft in place. Looks like the diff needs to move forward about a half inch?


I believe my rear diff engine mount plate is bent but I can't imagine the top mount is bent.

The two diffs look identical and I was able to bolt the 3 bolt mount in the rear but then couldn't bolt the two bolts into the top mount.

Am I missing something?

 

[Daw14]

My first thought was that the truck faced a sudden stop with the front axle taking the brunt of that impact. Was attempted repair with half the bolts when it would not line up .

 

[JeffinNB]

The original front diff was changed by the dealer under warranty at about year 3. It looks like they didn't put in the two bolts in the top of the diff.

When the diff mounts broke I believe it bent the mounting plate that bolts to the drivers engine mount and transmission as the top bolts were not installed.

 

[Jeepwalker]

Interesting...

 

[emjohn4]

There is a small "slider" in the front driveshaft. It just needs compressed.

Push the driveshaft towards the center diff. It'll compress.

 

[JeffinNB]

I did try compressing the driveshaft from the transfer case. I couldn't get it so compress but it may be damaged. I'll measure it after work and get a compressed length. Thank you.