[BellyScratchFTW]

Hello all!

I have a 02 1500 4wd with 9.25 rear and 3.55 gears. The pinion nut came loose at 65mph, that dropped the drive shaft and allowed the pinion gear to get sucked down in to the diff - creating a hole in my rear diff. Now I need a new housing. Part number 5072511AA is discontinued for the 2002.

The 2005 axle housing appears to be part number 5072511AD and it is in stock.

I've checked my local scrap yards. No luck. Re-manned ones for mine are running $1,300 to $2k which is ridiculous.

Does anyone know how difficult it would be to get a newer axle assembly under my truck? New, they run roughly $600-$700 (just the housing).

Lastly, it appears that this pinion nut issue is not as rare as it should be. There was a recall for the 05 models for it.

EDIT: I just looked through all of the parts for the 2002 and 2005 rear axle assembly. The only parts that were different part numbers were the housing itself and the wheel studs. Everything else - pinion gear, gear sets, yoke, shims, bearings, seals, etc. - were the same part number. This suggests to me that everything can fit in/on either axle housing. But something about the housing casting is probably different. But likely not anything that would keep it from working. Your thoughts?

 

[Squiddaroo]

Part numbers are changed if there is even slightest change to the part or manufacturing process. I show an updated Mopar p/n as 5072517AB or 5072517AE, or 5072517AG for both the 2002 and 2005 differential assemblies. I'm surprised you can't find an axle assembly in a junkyard.

 

[BellyScratchFTW]

Hello Squiddaroo. Thanks for the response.

It appears that 5072517AB, 5072517AE, and 5072517AG are all discontinued.

I'm in a rural area and we've got three scrap yards. Two say they don't have one. One will never return a phone call (even thought they promise they will). It may be worth my time to drive an hour and a half to the next city, or call first. 😄, and see if they've got anything. I'm sure it'd be half the price of a remanned. And a 1/4th the price of the new 2005 axle housing (though I would LOVE to have a brand new rear end!!).

 

[HemiLonestar]

Yes it will. The beautiful thing about part evolution is that it is still backwards compatible.

 

[BellyScratchFTW]

Yes it will. The beautiful thing about part evolution is that it is still backwards compatible.

I am more familiar with computer parts being backwards compatible (sata I, II, and III for example) so I didn't know how much that was true in the automotive world. So I guess this BEGS the question - At what year would a 9.25 3.55 3wd rear axle assembly NOT work any more due to too many changes? I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting the newest (least miles) parts I can get. And perhaps more readily availble?!

 

[Vern14]

the only thing I can think might be different is if it needs drum or disc brakes .they changed somewhere around 2002 but I’m not sure when.

 

[BellyScratchFTW]

the only thing I can think might be different is if it needs drum or disc brakes .they changed somewhere around 2002 but I’m not sure when.

Good thinking. Mine is disk all around in 2002. So I'd assume anything newer would also be disk.

 

[HemiLonestar]

2002+ 1500's are rear disc. 06 or 07 they changed the rear speed/ABS sensor setup. For Mopars at least, part evolution (all the same characters except for the last one) have forwards and backwards compatibility. As mentioned, the last letter will change for any change in manufacturing process, vendor, material, etc.

 

[BellyScratchFTW]

2002+ 1500's are rear disc. 06 or 07 they changed the rear speed/ABS sensor setup. For Mopars at least, part evolution (all the same characters except for the last one) have forwards and backwards compatibility. As mentioned, the last letter will change for any change in manufacturing process, vendor, material, etc.

Incredible information to know. Thanks!!

 

[BellyScratchFTW]

2002+ 1500's are rear disc. 06 or 07 they changed the rear speed/ABS sensor setup. For Mopars at least, part evolution (all the same characters except for the last one) have forwards and backwards compatibility. As mentioned, the last letter will change for any change in manufacturing process, vendor, material, etc.

Follow up question for clarity. The 2002 axle assembly part number is 5072511AA. The 2005 one is 5072517AG. When you say "...except for the last one" and "last letter", I'm a bit confused. These have all the same numbers except for the last number. And last letter is changed.

So sorry for the question. I'm sure it's super obvious to many. 😄

 

[HemiLonestar]

Make up your mind. You initially said:

I have a 02 1500 4wd with 9.25 rear and 3.55 gears. Now I need a new housing. Part number 5072511AA is discontinued for the 2002.
The 2005 axle housing appears to be part number 5072511AD and it is in stock.

Now you're saying:

Follow up question for clarity. The 2002 axle assembly part number is 5072511AA. The 2005 one is 5072517AG. When you say "...except for the last one" and "last letter", I'm a bit confused. These have all the same numbers except for the last number. And last letter is changed.

Which is it?
The very last CHARACTER (which is always a letter) will change; the rest of the CHARACTERS stay the same. Grunts lol 🤦‍♂️

 

[BellyScratchFTW]

The very last CHARACTER (which is always a letter) will change; the rest of the CHARACTERS stay the same

Roger that. I'm with you now. I think I've got too many browser windows open. ( :

5072511AD appears to be in stock and is for the 2005. That part is superseded by 5072511AG but that one is out of stock (oddly).

I'll check all of the local yards for '02 - '05 rear ends to see if I can find used. If not, I'll put together a new housing, pinion, gears, bearings, etc.


"Grunts lol 🤦‍♂️"

HOOAH!

 

[HemiLonestar]

Also check all the letters in between, you may get lucky and score a hit on 2511AE to AF (it's happened for me before). Check eBay as well. Rockauto if you haven't already.

 

[Vern14]

Powertrain Products may have something.

 

[Squiddaroo]

Do you have your old pinion gear? You'll may need the shim if you end up rebuilding yourself.

 

[Baddodge440]

car-parts.com

 

[fishingpapa]

Roger that. I'm with you now. I think I've got too many browser windows open. ( :

5072511AD appears to be in stock and is for the 2005. That part is superseded by 5072511AG but that one is out of stock (oddly).

I'll check all of the local yards for '02 - '05 rear ends to see if I can find used. If not, I'll put together a new housing, pinion, gears, bearings, etc.


"Grunts lol 🤦‍♂️"

HOOAH!

• From: 2002-2007 Dodge Ram 1500 Rear Axle Housing 5072511AG | My Mopar Parts
• 
  
• Genuine:
  
• SKU:5072511AG
• Other Names:05072511ag, Housing
• Description:
  Type B Flange.
• Replaces:5072511AB, 5072511AC, 5072511AD, 5072511AF

Summit Racing; $575.99 Mopar Replacement 5072511AG (summitracing.com)
Mopar Replacement Axle Assemblies 5072511AG


Part Number: MOP-05072511AG

$575.99
Mopar Replacement Axle Assemblies 5072511AG
HOUSING, REAR AXLE, 2002-2007