Ram 1500 Differential Drive Pinion Bearing Kit 68340289AA

This is a drive pinion bearing kit sold as a replacement for Mopar part number 68340289AA. It fits the 2011-2026 Ram 1500 and the 2019-2024 Ram 1500 Classic. The bearings are steel, precision ground and heat treated. Check the part number against your axle before ordering; Ram used more than one axle over these years, and the kit has to match the one under your truck.

Worn pinion bearings are the usual cause of a differential whine or howl that changes pitch between acceleration and coast, and that gets louder with speed rather than with steering input. Left alone, a loose pinion bearing lets the pinion walk, which chews up the ring and pinion contact pattern and eventually the gear set itself. Catching it at the bearing stage is a lot cheaper than a gear job.

On the bench: drain the axle, pull the axle shafts and carrier, mark and remove the pinion flange, then drive the pinion out. Press the old bearing off the pinion shaft and knock the races out of the housing, then install the new races and bearings. Keep the original pinion depth shim unless you are changing gears, and use a new crush sleeve and pinion seal. Set pinion bearing preload with an inch-pound torque wrench to the spec for your axle, check backlash and the contact pattern after the carrier goes back in, and refill with the correct gear oil.